Can I put an iron-on on a Gore-tex jacket?

May 1, 2023 6:44 AM

I am ordering a new Gore-tex jacket this week. When it arrives, can I put an iron-on piece of reflective tape without trashing the garment?

I already have a couple of older coats and knit hats to which I added reflective tape, for safety when walking at night. (I also have the same material in the shape of dog footprints!) I know about shielding the rest of the fabric when applying the iron-on.

I have gotten a decade of use out of those items already so I am not much troubled about any harm, but I want to treat this new jacket well. (It's a Marmot Minimalist, which is well-liked by OutdoorGearLabs)

I know that after laundering Gore-Tex, you put it in the dryer briefly to "revive" the DWR coating.

Thanks for any horror stories or reassurances.

posted by wenestvedt to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

Yes, there are many products to do this, without ironing. Here is a good example, Tenacious Tape (also in other colors for repair of holes and tears)
posted by zachxman at 6:50 AM on May 1, 2023 [2 favorites]

Gore-tex coating is PTFE (aka Teflon). PTFE itself has a pretty high melting point, > 300C, so I would think you are OK temperature-wise. I just doubt the adhesive would stick to it well, as PTFE is well renown for its non-stick properties and chemical inertness.
posted by dudemanlives at 7:26 AM on May 1, 2023 [3 favorites]

Also dropping in for Tenacious Tape. In addition to its reflectivity, it's a great waterproof patch. A friend has nearly made a Parka of Theseus with it.
posted by slogger at 9:21 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions. I actually have the reflective tape already.

(I will agree that the Tenacious Tape is good stuff: I have used it to repair the worn-through knee of some Duluth Trading work pants.)
posted by wenestvedt at 10:05 AM on May 1, 2023

Ask Marmot if the fabric itself can be ironed; synthetics melt easily, you could also try some hidden fabric in a pocket or something.
posted by theora55 at 10:08 AM on May 1, 2023

Best answer: With Gore-Tex it isn't melting I'd be concerned about, but:

- whether the heat would affect the structure of the fibers to alter its breathability or its waterproofing

- whether the heat would reduce the long-term life of the fabric, and accelerate the point at which it would become brittle and tear easily.

Both those things can happen without melting. The second isn't even necessarily visible.

This page recommends ironing using low heat, no steam, and a towel between the iron and the garment. I don't know if that would be enough heat to fuse the iron-on tape to the fabric.
posted by Pallas Athena at 11:03 AM on May 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

Can you iron the reflective tape onto the tenacious tape and then apply to the jacket?
posted by momus_window at 2:06 PM on May 1, 2023