ISPO Award Winner 2022: Patagonia Storm Shift Jacket

For the US outdoor specialist Patagonia, the production of clothing with the smallest possible ecological footprint has always been a top priority. In the new Storm Shift Jacket, the new PFC-free ePE membrane from Gore-Tex is used for the first time.

In recent years, the entire outdoor industry has tried to reduce the use of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in the manufacture of technical textiles to a minimum and, ideally, to do without them altogether. The chemicals, which have been proven to be harmful to the environment, are very long-lasting and can be detected in water bodies for decades.

The newly expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane is an important milestone for Gore-Tex on the way to environmentally compatible products without sacrificing performance.

Patagonia's product designers have long used Gore-Tex's membrane in their technical products. „This was an ask and a pressure we put on our friends and partners at Gore for a long time. We saw the future of waterproof breathables being in a non-fluorinated chemistry“, explains Kristo Torgersen, Mountain Category Lead at Patagonia. The development of the new ePE membrane brought other positive effects, as Torgersen explains, "We set out to eliminate PFCs from the membrane, but we got so much more: a lower mass membrane, that made it more supple and flexible. Because it’s less material to produce, it required less carbon output, less energy input, and less water usage. One objective led to many tremendous outcomes.”

If the membrane is used in recycled, spun-dyed, or undyed textiles, this further reduces the ecological footprint. In the Storm Shift Jacket, the 2-layer PFC-free Gore-Tex material is made from 100% recycled polyester and provides durable waterproof, breathable and windproof protection. The DWR coating also contains no perfluorinated chemicals.

Matt Dwyer is responsible for Product Impact and Innovation at Patagonia. He has been working with Gore for a long time and is excited about the latest collaboration: ”Now, outside of just this launch of the new ePE product, we’ve seen Gore staff up a team of dozens of really bright people committed to impact reduction and sustainability. They are set and make progress towards goals around waste, around water, around chemistry usage and carbon emissions. I think the ePE launch is really the crown on top of that work and a testament to the milestones of progress that they’ve made.“

In addition to the functional membrane, which is permanently waterproof, breathable and windproof, several other features impressed the ISPO Award jury. These include:

• The tricot knit lining on the inside of the jacket, which wicks moisture to the outside and dries quickly.
• The helmet-compatible hood and high collar that protects the neck and face even without a hood.
• The flat cuffs, which fit tightly under or over the gloves and ensure a tight sleeve closure.
• The many multifunctional pockets: Two lined side pockets with zipper; zipper chest pocket; zipper pocket on the front of the sleeve (e.g. for the lift ticket); inside pocket with zipper and key clip and an open inside pocket.