Gore-Tex, Ultrex, Super Microft-What's the Difference?

Right! What’s the difference between plain Polartec, Polartec 200 and Polartec 300? What about Gore-Tex versus Ultrex? Good grief! I’m getting a headache. Maybe you've got one, too? Well, here’s a mini glossary I dug up from the FAQ page of the Textile Outfitters website. It should clear up a few questions. The website provides a great deal of information about outdoor fabrics. Have fun.

FAQ on outdoor fabrics:

Commander® is durable, water repellent, and looks great at a great price. Washable and crease resistant. A dream for childrens' wear. 83% polyester, 17% cotton. Gore-Tex® is simply the best waterproof breathable fabric there is! A nylon or polyester fabric is laminated to the patented Gore-Tex® membrane. All weather fabric! The heart and soul of your Gore-Tex® fabric is the laminate ( that's what you are paying for) so you must use a lining to protect your investment. Ultrex® is a waterproof, breathable fabric designed for the ski wear industry. A nylon fabric with a breathable urethane backing. Perfect for the anoraks, ski suits and any other use where we want to be warm, comfortable and dry. Super Microft® is a super water repellent dream fabric - probably the finest water repellent fabric. Not waterproof...but so water repellent that most of us don't notice the difference. Ultra-thick crimped polyester fibres build in a water repellency and wind proofness that remains undiminished, even after 30 washes. It is so soft, quiet and crease resistant. Scrunches up small and doesn't need to be ironed. We use it for cycling and running jackets, ski suits, golf suits and more. 100% Polyester. There is not one easy way to describe Polartec® because the family of Polartec® is so huge! Polartec® is really a trade name for a line of fabric that encompasses everything from underwear fabric to super heavy duty scuba wear. Polartec® 200 is a warm medium weight fleece fabric that you will find used for most higher quality jackets and vests that you buy in a store. Polartec® 300 as you may have guessed is warmer and denser. If you have someone who really likes to stay warm this is the one for them!