Key takeaways
- Pertex is a brand of lightweight, breathable nylon fabrics used in outdoor gear.
- It's common as the shell/lining of insulated jackets, sleeping bags, and windproof layers.
- Lines target different jobs: windproof/breathable shells, downproof linings, water-resistant fabrics.
- Like Gore-Tex or Polartec, it's a component brand signaling a quality lightweight fabric.
What Pertex is
Pertex is a brand of lightweight, high-performance nylon fabrics used in outdoor gear. It’s a component brand — like Gore-Tex for membranes or Polartec for fleece — most often found as the outer shell and inner lining of insulated jackets, sleeping bags, and windproof layers.
The product lines
- Windproof, breathable shells (e.g., Quantum, Microlight) — light face fabrics for jackets and windshirts.
- Downproof linings — ultralight fabrics woven tightly enough to keep down from leaking out.
- Water-resistant / more durable versions for tougher use.
A shopper sees a down jacket spec list ‘Pertex Quantum shell’ — telling them the face fabric is a lightweight, windproof, downproof nylon that keeps the down contained while keeping the jacket light and breathable.
Where it’s used
Pertex shows up across down and synthetic insulated jackets, sleeping bags, windshirts, and light shells. Often built with a ripstop weave and a DWR finish, a named Pertex fabric on a spec sheet generally signals a quality, purpose-built lightweight material.
The bottom line
Pertex is a component fabric brand specializing in lightweight, breathable nylons — the shell and lining of countless insulated jackets, sleeping bags, and windproof layers. Different lines handle windproofing, downproof containment, and water resistance, so when you see Pertex on a spec sheet, it signals a quality, purpose-built lightweight fabric, much as Gore-Tex does for membranes.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pertex?
Pertex is a brand of lightweight, high-performance nylon fabrics used in outdoor clothing and gear. It's most often found as the outer shell and inner lining fabric of insulated jackets, sleeping bags, and windproof layers — chosen for being light, breathable, and (in some lines) windproof or water-resistant. It's a component brand, like Gore-Tex for membranes.
What are the different types of Pertex?
Pertex offers several lines for different purposes: windproof and breathable shell fabrics (e.g., Pertex Quantum and Microlight), ultralight downproof linings that keep down insulation contained, and more water-resistant or durable versions. Each is engineered to balance weight, breathability, wind resistance, and durability for its intended use.
Where is Pertex used?
It's widely used as the face and lining fabric of down and synthetic insulated jackets (where its downproof, lightweight nature shines), sleeping bags, windshirts and windproof layers, and some lightweight shells. When you see Pertex named on a jacket's spec, it usually indicates a quality, lightweight fabric.
Sources
- Pertex fabric technology — Pertex
- Gear fabrics — The Mountaineers