Arc’teryx Climbing Academy // Next Gen GORE-TEX Products

We’ve been staying out of trouble lately—and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. The teams at Arc’teryx and GORE-TEX kindly invited us to the Langdales to test their new Next Gen fabrics.

You might remember our visit to the Arc’teryx Climbing Academy VIP day around this time last year. This year, they invited WCH specifically to help trial the new Beta SL Jackets and GORE-TEX footwear, featuring the updated Next Gen fabrics, as we tackled a series of outdoor challenges throughout the day.

We were hoping for rain to really put the GORE-TEX through its paces, but the four weeks leading up to the shoot brought nothing but sunshine. So instead, we jumped into streams and scrambled up rocks to test the waterproofing and durability in our own way.

_{Spoiler: The Beta SL Jackets felt incredibly breathable, even as we scrambled up the rock face}.

Originally launched in the AW22 season, the Next Gen GORE-TEX fabrics will be rolled out across all Arc’teryx GORE-TEX products starting in AW25. These fabrics use a new, PFAS-free bluesign® approved ePE membrane and incorporate recycled textiles, significantly reducing carbon emissions as measured by the HIGG MSI.

Despite the eco-friendly overhaul, performance hasn’t been compromised. The Next Gen fabrics meet the same rigorous standards as their predecessors—lightweight, thinner, yet just as tough and reliable. They still uphold the GORE-TEX promise: ‘Guaranteed To Keep You Dry’ while delivering in both form and function.

Key Features of GORE-TEX ePE

• Lightweight and Durable: The ePE membrane boasts a high strength-to-weight ratio, resulting in ultra-thin, lightweight composites that maintain mechanical robustness
  
• Waterproof, Windproof, and Breathable: When combined with a polyurethane (PU) coating, the ePE membrane delivers the reliable waterproofing, windproofing, and breathability that GORE-TEX is renowned for.
  
• PFAS-Free: The ePE membrane is manufactured without intentionally added per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), aligning with GORE TEX’s commitment to eliminating PFAS of environmental concern from its consumer products.
  
• Reduced Carbon Footprint: The combination of the ePE material and its low membrane mass contributes to a lower carbon footprint, as measured by the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI).

The academy experience offers a great opportunity to try your hand at a range of outdoor activities, all under the watchful eye of a professional climber for that extra boost of confidence. While our team regularly hikes, bikes, and runs around the Lake District, it’s not often we get to push our limits.

On the day, we scrambled up Raven Crag and then faced our nerves abseiling down Cathedral Cavern. Thankfully, Adrian Nelhams, Dave Heaton, Greg Nelson, Jasmin Rafferty and Will Lord were on hand to keep us safe. The Muslim Hikers chose the same activities as us, so we supported one another as we climbed and scrambled through the terrain.

It was a day of pushing our limits, bonding as a team, and seeing firsthand how innovation in outdoor gear can make a real difference.