What is Pertex Fabric, Exactly?
If you're sourcing materials for outdoor gear—or just trying to figure out why your Goldwin jacket costs what it does—you've probably run into the name Pertex. I'm an office administrator who handles purchasing for a mid-sized brand, and when I first encountered Pertex in spec sheets, I'll be honest: I didn't fully get it. Is it a coating? A laminate? Why do some jackets use Pertex Shield and others use Quantum?
Here's what I've learned from ordering samples, talking to reps, and reading way too many technical datasheets.
Pertex Is a Fabric Technology, Not a Single Fabric
Pertex is a brand of high-performance fabrics developed in the UK. They specialize in two main things: waterproof breathable membranes (like Pertex Shield) and lightweight insulating shell fabrics (like Pertex Quantum). The company doesn't make the end garment—they supply the fabric to brands like The North Face, Marmot, Rab, and Goldwin.
So when you see "Goldwin Pertex" on a tag, it means Goldwin used Pertex's fabric in that design. Pretty straightforward once you know the players.
The Main Pertex Product Lines
Pertex Shield & ShieldAir: Waterproof Breathable
This is Pertex's answer to Gore-Tex. It's a waterproof membrane laminate designed to keep rain out while letting sweat vapor escape. I've used Shield on a few jackets for our company's field testers, and the feedback has been solid—especially on breathability.
Key specs I look for:
- Water column rating: Typically 10,000–20,000mm for Shield fabrics
- MVTR (breathability): 10,000–20,000 g/m²/24h depending on the variant
- Weight: Lightweight versions can be under 100 g/m²
One thing I've noticed: ShieldAir—their air-permeable version—seems to breathe noticeably better than the standard Shield. If breathability is your priority, it's worth the slight premium. At least, that's been my experience with our 2024 order of test samples.
Pertex Quantum & Quantum Air: Lightweight Insulation Shells
Quantum is the fabric you see on high-end down jackets. It's incredibly lightweight—think 20–40 g/m²—and designed to hold insulation in place without adding bulk. The micro-ripstop weave keeps down from poking through.
I spec'd Quantum Air for a line of summer-weight vests last year. The fabric is treated for water resistance (DWR), so it handles light drizzle, but it's not fully waterproof. We learned that the hard way when a tester wore it in a downpour. He wasn't happy. Our bad for not reading the specs carefully.
Pertex Equilibrium: Stretch and Breathability
Equilibrium is a stretch fabric meant for active use—think alpine climbing or trail running. It's not fully waterproof, but it's highly breathable and moves with you. We used it on a softshell jacket prototype, and the fit testing went well. That said, I'm not a designer, so I can't speak to the seam-sealing complexity.
Pertex Shield vs Gore-Tex: The Real Comparison
This is the question I see most often in our spec meetings: "Why not just use Gore-Tex?"
I'm not gonna pretend Pertex is universally better. Depends on your priorities. But here's what I've observed after comparing samples from both:
| Aspect | Pertex Shield | Gore-Tex |
|---|---|---|
| Breathability | Good to very good (ShieldAir) | Excellent (Pro) |
| Weight | Often lighter | Heavier, especially Pro |
| Cost | Typically lower (10–30%?) | Higher, especially licensed |
| Brand recognition | Strong in outdoor niche | Mass-market dominant |
In my experience, the difference isn't always day and night. For a mid-layer shell or a jacket that sees mixed weather, Pertex Shield performs well. If you need bombproof durability for extreme expeditions, Gore-Tex Pro is still the benchmark. But for most of our product lines, Shield has been sufficient—and it's consistently lighter on the scale.
Honestly, I'm not sure why the price gap exists the way it does. My best guess is it comes down to Gore-Tex's licensing model and marketing overhead. But I'm no business analyst.
How Durable Is Pertex Fabric?
This is a fair question, especially if you're dealing with vendors who push cheap alternatives. I've seen Pertex used in jackets that have held up through three seasons of field testing—no delamination, no tears. The Diamond Fuse variant is especially tough, but it adds weight.
One thing I've learned: durability depends heavily on the specific product line. Quantum Air is not built for bushwhacking—it's a city or trail fabric. Shield on a 20-denier face fabric will be less abrasion-resistant than a 40-denier version. Always check the denier specs if you're going into rough terrain.
“The 12-point checklist I created after my third mistake—ordering the wrong weight fabric—has saved us an estimated $8,000 in potential rework. 5 minutes of verification beats 5 days of correction.”
Speaking of durability: I once ordered a run of 20 awning fabric for a pop-up event, thinking Pertex was all-purpose. Turns out, that was a different product category entirely. The supplier corrected me before production—thankfully—but it was a close call. Now I always verify the intended use case before placing a PO.
Is Pertex Eco-Friendly? A Note on PFAS
I get asked this more and more, especially from sustainability-minded clients. Pertex has made moves toward PFC-free DWR treatments, but I'd caution against blanket statements. Their ShieldAir and some Quantum lines use eco-friendly finishes, but not all. If you need full PFAS-free compliance, ask for the specific product datasheet.
Prices as of January 2025; verify current rates with your supplier. The cost per meter varies wildly depending on volume.
Final Thoughts for Buyers
If you're sourcing Pertex for your product line, my advice is:
- Start with a small test order—even 50 meters can tell you a lot
- Double-check the specific Pertex line against your use case (I've mixed up Shield and Quantum before. It happens.)
- Negotiate on volume; prices can shift significantly at scale
- Ask for dated MFG specs—fabric batches vary
When I took over purchasing in 2020, I assumed all waterproof breathables were basically the same. Now, after managing relationships with 8 fabric vendors and processing 60+ orders annually, I can tell you—quietly but firmly—that Pertex is a reliable choice for lightweight performance gear. Not perfect. But reliable. And in procurement, that's half the battle.