The thing about all of these rainsuits is over time, the GoreTex (or whatever) wears off.
The GoreTex doesn't wear off but the water repellent coating does which then keeps it from working.
here's the company line:
Washing Gore-Tex Outerwear
To get the most out of your Gore-Tex® outerwear, keep it clean. The following information describes the basic cleaning procedure. But always read and follow the care instructions sewn into any Gore-Tex garment before you wash it.
Laundry Instructions
Taking care of Gore-Tex outerwear is easy! Just:
Machine wash in warm water with powdered detergent.
Tumble dry on medium heat.
NOTE: W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. does not recommend the use of liquid soaps or special "waterproof/breathable" soaps when washing Gore-Tex outerwear.
Water-Repellent Coatings
To maximize water-resistance and breathability, Gore-Tex outerwear comes with a DWR (durable water repellent) treatment on its outer surface. This DWR causes water to bead up and roll off the garment, which keeps the fabric surface clear so that sweat and body heat can pass through from the inside. DWR treatments also keep the fabric surface drier, which cuts down on evaporative heat loss and keeps your outerwear light and comfortable.
Over time, with regular laundering and exposure to the elements, DWR treatments can wear off. When this occurs, water may no longer bead on the surface of the outerwear fabric, and the fabric may absorb some water (NOTE: the Gore-Tex barrier beneath the outer fabric will still stop this moisture from getting to your skin). The best way to renew your DWR is to launder your Gore-Tex outerwear according to the care instructions and iron it using a warm steam setting. This will restore the water beading on the outer surface of the fabric as long as the original water-repellent treatment is present.
Unfortunately, there is no permanent water-repellent treatment available. Eventually, after extended wear and/or many washings, the original repellent finish will be depleted and you'll need to use a spray-on or wash-in water-repellency treatment to treat the outer surface of the fabric. You may repeat this process as many times as needed.
A Case of Mistaken Identity
Performance problems caused by worn DWR coatings are often mistaken for Gore-Tex fabric failures. This is due to the fact that when DWR coatings wear off, Gore-Tex® layers may:
Appear wet on the outside—since the outer fabric may absorb some water.
Feel heavier—again, due to water absorption.
Collect condensation on the inside—water on the fabric's surface can lower the temperature of the fabric through evaporative heat loss. This can cause warm, humid air inside the garment to condense on the inside surface so it feels wet—like it's leaking.
Before you consider replacing your jacket or rain pants, first try restoring your DWR or reapplying a spray-on or wash-in coating. Remember—just because the outer fabric becomes wet does not mean that water is passing through the Gore-Tex membrane layer laminated to the inside of your garment.