Michael Daly wrote:

Davej wrote:
Does this fabric need a protective inner liner?

That depends. If it's three layer, no. If two layer, yes. The third
layer protects the PTFE liner. If the inside of the GoreTex is grey in
colour and has a tricot layer, it's three layer. Some of the light
GoreTex versions have small spots on the inside for a third layer. If
it's plain white, it's two layer.

Apparently Goretex is not the most breathable waterproof fabric.
Here is an interesting, though not totally up-to-date, summary
of US Army research on various waterproof/breathable fabrics:

http://verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/breathability.pdf

Looks like eVENT Laminate is the most breathable, followed by
Schoeller Dryskin (which seems to be a soft-shell pile fabric)
and Entrant GII XT.

Compared to new Goretex XCR, which is better than old Goretex,
all the abovementioned fabrics breathe much better in low humidity
and a bit better in high humidity.