One of the best feelings I get while reporting gear news is when I get something that is so new that the product manager says they haven't even named it yet. I stopped by Gore and found out about a yet-to-be-named fire resistant material they are using to give FR qualities to traditionally flammable fabrics. Basically, you add this material to your average hardshell, softshell or fleece and you get a FR and water resistant outerlayer without affecting the qualities of the outer fabric. Adding taped seams will bring the jacket up to full Gore-Tex levels of water resistance.
Gore has designed and sumbitted their entry for the Marine Corps' Inclement Weather Combat Shirt, above, that features the new material. Watch a video that shows how the material self-extinguishes during testing. On the left is a standard Marine Corps issue Dessert Combat Jacket, on the right is a version that incorporates Gore's new military fire resistant material.
