Gore-Tex, chest sizing, heights and Pit To Pit measurements
Use of Sympatex, Gore-Tex and "Gore-Tex" in our product descriptions
Gore-Tex® is a brand name for one of the W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc company's products. The term "Gore-Tex" has become a generic term for fabric which is moisture vapour permeable (MVP). Military clothing is of course an ideal use for such material and Gore-Tex is indeed used in some. However, there are plenty of other manufacturers around the world who produce almost identical MVP fabrics which perform just as well as Gore-Tex, and so we may sometimes describe a product as "Gore-Tex" (with the speech quotes) as a generic term in some cases. Where appropriate we state the genuine brand name like this - Gore-Tex®. Please also note, that a military coat from one production batch may have genuine Gore-Tex, but a later garment may iclude fabric of a different manufacturer.
Washing Gore-Tex - here's the guidance Gore-Tex provide
Sympatex is an alternative fabric that appears in some garments and operates in a slightly different way, but is longer lasting, can be repeatedly washed, has no pores to clog like Gore-Tex and so superior in its active role of being waterproof. And, it is actually kinder to the environment due to its recyclable qualities and being made of natural components.
Washing Sympatex - here's the guidance from Sympatex
REMEMBER! Gore-Tex and any other MVP fabrics will prevent water penetrating from the outside, but that will prevent moisture vapour sweat from exiting at the garment at the same time. The garment will need to have shed the external water before the breathable process can start working.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING PURCHASED GORE-TEX ARTICLES.
The waterproof qualities of any used garments made of Gore-Tex or similar MVP fabrics that will sell cannot be guaranteed. So, we invite purchasers to contact us in the case of water penetration in any garments purchased from us, and we will resolve the issue to their satisfaction.
Chest sizes - military coats and waterproofs
Please note that some overcoats, parkas or wet-weather clothing will be sized to fit a specific chest size and still be suitable for a person who is also wearing several under-layers. This is because military stores can issue a shirt at size 112 for example, a jumper at size 112, a parka at 112 and a water-proof top layer at size 112 and it will all fit one person who wears all four. Therefore, when purchasing top layer garments, please pay particular attention to the stated chest size option because a 112 worn on its own might feel loose and uncomfortable when worn without the under layers.
The Austrian sizing system uses a different method e.g. 88/92 which refers to a chest size between 88 and 92 cm (approximately 34 - 36"). So, once again, an outer waterproof coat with a 88/92 label, may fit up to 44 inch chest despite being one of the smallest sizes provided.
Also, our quoted sizes may not always reflect the labelling on each garment. Clothing that has been washed many times may vary in size compared to similar items and therefore we cannot guarantee absolute accuracy.
Height options in our listings
We use a basic method when listing our products, for the suitable heights of wearers of our products.
There's a degree of overlapping in garment lengths, which will mean a garment may reach about 4 inches further down the body, but still look just fine.
SHORT = garment fits 5' - 5'8" (157cm - 172cm)
REGULAR = garment fits 5'5 - 5'11" (165cm - 180cm)
TALL = garment fits 5'9 - 6'3" (175cm - 190cm)
EXTRA TALL = garment fits 5'11 - 6'6" (180cm - 198cm)
p-t-p or p-p (Pit to Pit) - chest sizes in our product options
Where we list garments with a Pit-to-Pit dimension (p-t-p), this relates to what we have measured (with the garment flat on a table) from one arm pit to the other, and then we've doubled that measurement to help ascertain the chest size of the intended wearer. The garment will of course be listed as suiting a certain chest size, but the p-t-p dimension will be the un-stretched, unworn dimension allowing customers to decide whether to opt for snug or loose fit. Whether or not the tummy, arms and height match your particular physique, is not certain, but military personnel do have a relatively trim build in the main.