Pertex

An ultralight nylon or polyester shell fabric engineered for minimal weight and packability while providing wind resistance. Used as the outer shell in down jackets and sleeping bags.

Material Score Breakdown

Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.

70/100

DurabilityTypical60

How long the fabric lasts with regular use

ComfortTypical68

Softness, feel against skin, wearability

BreathabilityAbove-average75

Air flow and ventilation

WarmthPoor35

Heat retention and insulation

Moisture WickingTypical60

Ability to pull sweat away from skin

Care EaseAbove-average72

How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain

Sustainability (separate Eco score)

SustainabilityWeak40

Environmental impact of production and disposal

Products with pertex

We don't have any garments containing pertex in our catalog yet. Browse the full synthetic materials or check the product catalog.

What this score doesn't measure

This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from pertex. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.

×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same pertex feel and last very differently.
×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.

Best For

🏃Athletic Wear

Good

Good breathability (75) and moisture wicking (60) for light activity

👕Everyday Casual

Good

Good comfort (68) and care ease (72) for casual wear

👔Formal/Office

Good

Good durability (60) and comfort (68) for office wear

🌧️Rain/Weather

Good

Good moisture wicking (60) and durability (60) for weather protection

Detailed Use Case Scores

outdoor90

outerwear85

activewear75

Pros

✓ Extremely lightweight — among the lightest shell fabrics available
✓ Excellent packability for travel and hiking
✓ Good breathability for a windproof shell
✓ Down-proof weave prevents feather escape

Cons

✗ Less abrasion-resistant than heavier fabrics
✗ Not waterproof without additional treatment
✗ Can snag on rough surfaces
✗ Synthetic — petroleum-derived base material

Better alternatives

Higher-scored synthetic materials. Same category — what to consider instead.

Gore-TexB

+6 vs Pertex · 76/100

Membrane technology that is waterproof yet breathable. A laminate applied to other fabrics rather than a fabric itself.

DyneemaB

+5 vs Pertex · 75/100

Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber — the world's strongest fiber by weight. 15x stronger than steel, used in cut-resistant gear, ultralight backpacks, and high-performance sails.

HardshellB

+4 vs Pertex · 74/100

Waterproof breathable membrane fabric (Gore-Tex, eVent, or similar technology) laminated to a face fabric. The gold standard for rain and storm protection in technical outerwear.

Care Guide

Washwarm (40°C)

Cyclepermanent press

Detergentmild

BleachDo not bleach

Drytumble low

IronDo not iron

Dry Cleanavoid

SoftenerNo

Special Notes

• Use tech wash for best results

• Tumble dry low to reactivate DWR if applicable

Additional Care Tips

• Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) on gentle cycle with technical detergent
• Tumble dry on low heat to restore loft of insulated garments
• Do not iron — heat can damage the ultralight weave
• Avoid Velcro contact which can snag the fabric
• Store uncompressed in a breathable storage sack
• Re-apply DWR spray periodically for water resistance

Cost

$$$$$

Mid-range

Shrinkage

Won't shrink with normal washing

Eco Rating

Moderate impact — consider eco alternatives

Keep exploring

All fabricsBrowse 200+ materials Compare materialsSide by side Products with PertexReal garments Care decoderLaundry symbols

FabricIQ

Reading the label…

Material Score Breakdown

Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.

70/100

DurabilityTypical60

How long the fabric lasts with regular use

ComfortTypical68

Softness, feel against skin, wearability

BreathabilityAbove-average75

Air flow and ventilation

WarmthPoor35

Heat retention and insulation

Moisture WickingTypical60

Ability to pull sweat away from skin

Care EaseAbove-average72

How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain

Sustainability (separate Eco score)

SustainabilityWeak40

Environmental impact of production and disposal

What this score doesn't measure

This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from pertex. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.

×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.

×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same pertex feel and last very differently.

×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.

Best For

🏃Athletic Wear

Good

Good breathability (75) and moisture wicking (60) for light activity

👕Everyday Casual

Good

Good comfort (68) and care ease (72) for casual wear

👔Formal/Office

Good

Good durability (60) and comfort (68) for office wear

🌧️Rain/Weather

Good

Good moisture wicking (60) and durability (60) for weather protection

Detailed Use Case Scores

outdoor90

outerwear85

activewear75

Additional Care Tips

• Machine wash cold (30°C/85°F) on gentle cycle with technical detergent

• Tumble dry on low heat to restore loft of insulated garments

• Do not iron — heat can damage the ultralight weave

• Avoid Velcro contact which can snag the fabric

• Store uncompressed in a breathable storage sack

• Re-apply DWR spray periodically for water resistance