Portal’s first Gore-Tex release is the Sphere Jacket, a lightweight waterproof shell built for all-purpose movement.
Gore-Tex’s lightest 3-layer membrane, weighs 173 g, and includes a packable construction, vented back panel, fitted hood, and ergonomic cut.
£395 / €445 / $495 on April 9, 2026
Portal is still a young name, but its DNA is clear. Founded by Patrick Stangbye, John Roberts, Colin Meredith, and Barrie Bloor, the brand came in with a point of view shaped by people who have spent years in the technical apparel industry. The idea was simple: make products for people who run, ride, hike, commute, and move between all of it without needing a different uniform every time.
Its new release, the Portal x Gore-Tex Sphere Jacket, is the brand’s first collaboration with Gore-Tex and is highly anticipated.
The Sphere Jacket is a waterproof shell for wet conditions. It uses what the brand calls the lightest Gore-Tex 3-layer membrane. This is not a heavy mountain shell or a piece that relies on technical jargon — the Sphere is light, packable, and easy to live with. It’s the kind of jacket that stays out of the way until you need it.
Portal describes it in straightforward terms: “Shelter when you need it. Designed to disappear when you don’t.” The Sphere is a jacket for moving through unstable weather without overthinking what you wear. In a market full of oversized shells and dramatic technical styling, that restraint is part of the point.
The details are solid and, more importantly, useful. The Sphere weighs 173 grams in a size medium. It’s built from 15D 58GSM 3-layer fabric with a C-Knit backer, using PA6 nylon with a recycled backing. Portal also notes that the jacket is PFAS-free and carries Oeko-Tex and Bluesign approval.
There is a vented back panel and a rear fold that allows the jacket to be worn over a cargo vest or pack. It comes with a minimal fitted hood with elasticated hems and half-elastic cuffs for better hand coverage. A double-adjustable hem and a full two-way Vislon zipper increase functionality. A single concealed-zip pocket doubles as a stuff sack. Reflective branding and an ergonomic pattern complete the build.
The jacket comes in Dark Olive/Black Beauty and Black Beauty. A classic Portal combo.
We have actually seen a couple of iterations of this jacket since last year. Portal had a prototype in its showroom in June 2025, still in the making but slowly showing what would be improved before release. Even there, the jacket, still nameless, already felt great. Portal took its time to fully develop the jacket, changing fabrics, construction, and colors, a dedication that shows how they work, focused on every detail, and waiting to release its products when ready.
The Portal x Gore-Tex Sphere Jacket launches April 9 at 12 p.m. GMT on portal-brand.com. Select retailers include Mr. Porter, Tres Bien, Notre, Blue Lug, Ships, Worksout, Amomento, Grocery, and Up There Athletics.
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Alfredo is a runner, writer, creative director, and cultural analyst based in Berlin. After years as a casual runner, his move to Berlin transformed his running into a vital practice for mental health and a source of tranquility during cold, early morning runs. His interest in clothes comes from uniforms and sportswear, combined with a love for innovation and research—which might explain why he meticulously charts his winter running gear.
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