Gorewear clothing set to shut down after 40 years

Gorewear, the cycling and running apparel brand renowned for its GORE-TEX and GORE-TEX INFINIUM technologies, is set to cease operations after four decades. The decision, announced by parent company W. L. Gore & Associates, means the brand will be wound down, with production and sales expected to conclude by the end of 2024. This marks the end of an era for a company that has been a staple in performance outerwear since its inception.

This closure sends ripples through the technical apparel market. Gorewear’s pioneering use of GORE-TEX fabric set a benchmark for waterproof and breathable clothing, influencing countless other brands and effectively defining a category. While W. L. Gore & Associates will continue to supply its fabric technologies to other manufacturers, the direct-to-consumer and branded apparel segment will lose a significant player, particularly one with such a deep heritage in cycling and outdoor sports.

A quiet exit for a brand that, for many, was synonymous with staying dry. One hopes their fabric technology continues to thrive, even if the label itself fades into memory.