What’s a laminate?

Waterproof textiles used to mean waxed cotton. Then waterproof membranes were invented. Early ones were sweaty, but this changed.

Then came laminated waterproof membranes, where the surface material is treated and has a membrane behind it. So water simply runs off the fabric.

For a long time there was only one: Gore-tex Pro and garments were expensive. But it worked and was used by top-end manufacturers.

Other materials firms began to develop their own laminates. They’re not as expensive as Gore-tex Pro items but they tend to still be £500 for a jacket or £1000 for a suit.