The Gorpcore trend has taken TikTok by storm.
If you’re still unfamiliar, it’s essentially a sleeker, more elevated version of hiking style, aka looking as though you’re about to scale Everest, even if you’re just going for a jaunt around London Fields. Parachute pants, waterproof trainers and a jacket with pockets and techy details are all essentials to take you from the streets of the four fashion capitals to British thunderstorms via the festival field. And when it comes to nailing the look, a Gore-Tex jacket is a must.
Gore-Tex membrane is the name of the waterproof but breathable material for lovers of the outdoorsy look. It has been around since 1969, after being invented by Bob Gore. Its clever functionality means it found a name for itself after famous explorers and sportspeople were decked out in it. Legendary mountaineer and explorer, Reinhold Messner utilised a Gore-Tex tent on his late 1970s ascent of Everest and it was even used in space suits for NASA in 1981.
You get the picture: it’s very durable and waterproof — so much so that the brand made a guarantee to replace any Gore-Tex items that develop defects or aren’t totally waterproof.
In the past few years, it has come to the forefront of fashion, called upon by cool outdoorsy brands and major designers. The likes of Jil Sander and Off White have featured the fabric in their catwalk lines in collabs with Arc’teryx.
And the breathable and windproof nature means Gore-Tex jackets are perfect for a big weekend in a field this festival season. If there’s a chance of rain but you want to look stylish, it’s a must. Brands-wise, you can’t go wrong with Nike’s outdoor ACG range, Salomon, the walker-turned-hipster favourite, and mountaineering and hiking brands such as 66°North, North Face and of course, Arc’teryx.
Look for details such as toggles to tighten your hood or the waist, a built-in visor to keep your face nice and dry, concealed pockets for your stuff, and sleeves which dip over the hands to guide away the rain. If you’ve got a night hike or night out planned, opt for a reflective version that will glow in the dark.
Shop our favourite Gore-Tex jackets to look stylish and stand up to the elements below.
The North Face Jazzi Gore-Tex jacket
The North Face’s Gore-Tex Jazzi jacket combines a high-performance shell with clever details and a sleek bi-colour design. It has a toggle on the head and retractable velcro cuffs to keep you dry, plus there’s an inside hidden pocket for your phone. Perfect for minimalists.
Buy now £350.00, The North Face
66°North Hornstrandir jacket
66°North products are made for the elements, with the brand having started out in the 1920s as protective clothing for fishermen in Iceland, so it’ll easily face whatever outdoor pursuits you might have planned. Its shell jackets are an investment but they’re worth it. Sleek, protective and able to withstand serious rainfall and winds. The slightly longer fit also makes it a great layering option.
Buy now £625.00, 66°North
Salomon Outerpath Pro 2.5L Women's Shell Jacket
If you’re part of the Salomon trainer army it’s a no-brainer to match your jacket. This Gore-Tex style is a light layer with reflective details and ripstop fabric so it’ll keep you warm and dry all-day — even if it’s a washout — and help you stand out at night. The upper layer has a clever hidden pocket and attachment for your keys and phone underneath.
Buy now £200.00, Salomon
Moncler Grenoble Valles Hooded Gore-Tex Paclite Jacket
On top of being wind and waterproof, the beauty of this Moncler Gore-tex jacket is that it’s both super lightweight and has a close fit. It’s adjustable at the waist and has tight cuffs to keep the water out. A great bet if you want to add a pop of colour to your Gorpcore look.
Also available in black.
Buy now £850.00, Net-A-Porter
Snow Peak Gore-Tex Rain Jacket
Japanese brand Snow Peak creates innovative outdoor wear, and this Gore-Tex jacket has waterproof seams and plenty of pockets while retaining a minimalist design. A perfect piece for anyone who wants a boyfriend fit.
Buy now £480.00, Snow Peak
Arc'teryx Coelle Shell Jacket
How slick is this Arc'teryx jacket? This style is extra lightweight, flexible and breathable, so it’s ideal for hotter days with light showers. It has a stormhood for full coverage too. The slightly shorter fit means it’ll layer up nicely with dresses or shorts.
Buy now £350.00, Arc'teryx
Arc'teryx Beta LT Jacket
If you like to stand out then this neon Gore-Tex shell jacket from hipster favourite Arc'teryx is our top pick. It’s lightweight but offers full protection with all the details you need to stay dry such as pullies at the hood and the seam around the hem. Choose your normal size as it’s designed to be fitted, to maximise the breathability.
Buy now £400.00, Arc'teryx
Mountain Equipment Mens Saltoro Jacket
Best for: waterproofing
Conquer the crag and mountaineer across alpine conditions with Mountain Equipment’s final layer of protection with the Saltoro Jacket. Lightweight, breathable and waterproof, this shell is specifically designed for mountain trekking and backpacking.
Crafted with two GORE-TEX fabrics including the lightweight GORE-TEX Paclite and the highly durable GORE-TEX 75 denier three-layer fabric, this shell is highly protective against the weather and the wind which puts you at a great advantage, no matter the forecast. Other notable features include its adjustable cuffs, hood, armpit zip and articulated elbows which allow for unrestricted movement.
Buy now £270.00, Go Outdoors
Salomon Outline Gore-Tex 2.5 Layers
Mainly known in the fashion world for their hypey trainers, French brand Salomon also offers a range of other technicalwear and utilitarian garments - and this Outline jacket is one of them.
Protective, lightweight, and breathable, it is crafted using Gore-Tex Paclite, which is not only durably waterproof and windproof but also made using 100 per cent recycled polyester. This is a consciously made piece without compromising on functionality.
With an adjustable hood, waterproof zip, and glued hems, you’ll be bone dry whether you’re caught in a storm on Ben Nevis or in a drizzle on the way to work.
Buy now £157.50, Salomon
Craghoppers Toledo GORE-TEX Jacket
For outstanding outdoor performancewear, Craghoppers is the place to go, whether you’re looking for a collection to provide protection against biting insects in hot-climate countries to insulated jackets for alpine conditions.
Designed in a fully waterproof Gore-Tex stretch fabric, this parka will protect you in even the wettest conditions - and has ample space across six pockets for all of your hiking or city-exploring essentials.
Not only is it crafted using recycled bottles, but if you register your purchase with the brand, they’ll guarantee it for life, meaning if anything goes wrong, they’ll replace it with the same or something similar.
Buy now £159.60, Amazon
Rapha Classic Winter Gore-Tex
This top-end men’s reflective cycling jacket from Rapha gives you that Tour De France feeling, but is perfectly suited for your journey to the office. The Classic Winter Gore-Tex may not boast all-out reflectiveness, but it’s extremely effective rebounding light with an arm band as well as a central strip on the lower back - you will also find it on the trim across the front shoulder line and chest pockets (or air vents).
As the name suggests, it’s more a wardrobe choice for the harsher side of weather, but will play out very well between 1-10oC. We tested this jacket at 3-5oC (wearing just one standard base layer) and with a short sharp rain shower thrown in for fun and it passed with flying colours. However, with a continuous and heavy downpour, it will eventually give in.
As for all-round comfort, well it’s up there as one of the best, even if it is more of a streamlined second-skin race fit than your casual everyday choice. Everything down from the raised collar neck protection, to the back pocket storage, longer sleeve length and the sublime airtight finish on the cuffs are all welcomed with open arms.
This quite frankly is an exceptional high-end jacket, that pretty much ticks all the right boxes and looks the part in terms of a super stylish finish
Reflective rating: 7
Buy now £180.00, Rapha
