Gore-Tex is an innovative waterproof and breathable material developed in 1969 by Wilbert L. Gore and his son Robert W. Gore. The groundbreaking discovery of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane (ePTFE) led to the development of a material that both repels water and allows moisture to escape from the inside out. The official market launch took place in the 1970s when Gore-Tex was first used in outdoor clothing. Thanks to its unique properties, it quickly established itself as the standard for functional clothing, footwear, and equipment for extreme weather conditions. The Gore-Tex membrane contains billions of microscopic pores that are around 20,000 times smaller than a drop of water, but 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule. This keeps rain out while allowing sweat to escape in the form of water vapor. This technology makes Gore-Tex the perfect material for hiking boots, sneakers, jackets, and gloves. Today, there are different versions such as GORE-TEX Pro, GORE-TEX Infinium, or GORE-TEX Invisible Fit, which have been specially developed for different purposes. In the sneaker world in particular, brands such as Nike, adidas, and Salomon rely on GORE-TEX to create waterproof yet breathable shoes.