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Just wondering why are their no Gortex tents?

The material is waterproof/resistant (or is it not)? and breathable.

With my naive head in - it seems to have the perfect qualities to wok along side nylon and canvas.

Are there any? (there are Gortex bivy bags).

I recently saw someone ask a similar question about why Goretex isn't used as a fabric for skin-on-frame kayaks.  One answer offered was that the breathability of Goretex depends on temperature difference;  if you wear a Goretex jacket, your body heat is enough to drive water vapour through the membrane.  Inside a kayak - or a tent - the temperature difference wouldn't be enough, so although waterproof, the fabric wouldn't breath.  And there are cheaper/lighter waterproof fabrics around.

I can't vouch for the accuracy of this, but it sounds plausible.

Mary

"Just wondering why are their no Gortex tents?"

....because there are not enough sleeves for all the poles !

there are gortex tents if you look hard enough

http://www.sailgb.com/c/expedition_tents/

Gortex material does not come cheap!!!!

Quote: Originally posted by nitrous on 25/9/2006

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Gortex material does not come cheap!!!!

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Maybe not but that is precisely what I will buy when I can justify £500 ish!

I've had my eye on one of these for quite awhile.Single skin, bombproof, and easy to put up.Absolutely nothing to beat it.

Just the thing for extended winter tours in the Scottish Highlands

also as a buisness why would they want to make tents that last so long??/

they dont want to sell you one tent they want to sell you one every couple of years

There are Goretex tents, as pointed out, but they are quite a specialist thing.

As maryinoxford pointed out, there needs to be a temperature gradient across the fabric - there also needs to be a moisture gradient.  In the rain, the moisture cannot pass through the fabric, and you will get excessive condensation.  You also get condensation inside a Goretex jacket in heavy rain.

In general Goretex, and other single-skin, tents work well in cold, dry conditions - up high mountains, for instance - for the UK double skin tents work better.