PFAS-Free Outerwear & Jackets
Discover the benefits of PFAS-free outerwear, designed to keep you dry and warm without harmful “forever chemicals.” Learn how these eco-friendly, high-performance jackets offer a safer and more sustainable choice for outdoor adventures and everyday wear.
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Disclaimer: Although the brands that we recommend do not intentionally add PFAS to their products, PFAS chemicals are so pervasive that a product can be easily contaminated with trace amounts of PFAS at any point during the manufacturing process. While we strive to recommend PFAS-free and non-toxic products based on available data, we cannot guarantee the absolute absence of all harmful substances.
As a former ski bum, I can appreciate the need for winter outerwear clothing to be waterproof. Being wet outside in the winter is just not fun and can even be dangerous. Unfortunately, most waterproof fabric uses PFAS chemicals that are environmentally-destructive and harmful to human health in order to produce waterproof functionality.
Although some exciting legislation has just passed regarding PFAS in apparel in the states of California, New York and Colorado, we still have a long way to go before PFAS chemicals on outerwear are totally phased out. Luckily there are PFAS-free outerwear options that don’t compromise on protection from the elements. Whether you’re looking for PFAS-free winter outerwear, PFAS-free rain jackets, PFAS-free ski coats or PFAS-free snow gear, I’m sharing the leading brands in the outdoor industry that carry just what you’re looking for to keep you dry without a PFAS coating.
What Is PFAS?
PFAS is short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Chemicals in this class of substances are found in products like nonstick pans (e.g. “Teflon”), food packaging, waterproof jackets, and carpets to repel water, grease, and stains.
PFAS don’t easily break down, and they can persist in your body and in the environment for decades. As a result of their pervasiveness, more than 95 percent of the U.S. population has PFAS in their bodies, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What Are The Health Risks Of PFAS Exposure?
Chemical waste containing PFOA from a Teflon manufacturing plant near Parkersburg, West Virginia leached into the groundwater and polluted the drinking water in the surrounding area. Studies of almost 70,000 people that lived near the Teflon plant linked PFOA in tap water to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis and other health problems. Further research has associated PFAS with more health risks, including increased risk of asthma, immune system disfunction, decreased vaccine response in children, changes in liver enzymes, increased risk of high blood pressure and pre-ecalmpsia in pregnant women, small decreases in infant birth weight and weight gain in adults.
Although PFOA and PFOS (long chain PFAS) have been voluntarily phased out by industry, they have been replaced by other chemicals in the PFAS family. GenX is a short-chain PFAS replacement for PFOA, yet studies suggest that GenX is linked to harmful effects in the liver and reproductive problems.
What Is DWR?
DWR stands for “Durable Water Repellant”, and this membrane does just what it promises – it makes fabric impermeable to water and has the added benefit of keeping it breathable. You will see this term often when looking for waterproof or water-resistant outerwear.
Do all DWR materials contain PFAS? Most of them do, but not all. Look for PFC-Free DWR. PFC stands for Perfluorinated chemicals, and in outdoor industry lingo, it’s the same group of fluorinated chemicals as PFAS (the EPA is currently using the term PFAS in place of PFC).
Don’t be fooled by the terms PFOA-free and PFOS-free. These refer to 2 specific long-chain PFAS chemicals that have been phased out. A company that uses these claims may be greenwashing you and using alternative PFAS chemicals to coat their fabric.
Some outdoor companies are now recognizing the paradoxical nature of using PFAS chemicals in their products – the outdoor clothing they make is intended for going out and enjoying the outdoors, yet the chemicals used on the clothing are destroying the environment and causing health issues. PFAS chemicals have even been detected on the top of Mount Everest – picture a long line of mountain climbers wearing waterproof clothing and sleeping in waterproof tents. The PFAS chemicals shed off onto the snow, and this contaminated snow serves as drinking water for the climbers as well as thousands of people downstream.
Are Outdoor Companies Phasing Out PFAS?
The good news is that many outdoor gear companies are phasing out PFAS, and some have completely switched to PFC-free DWR. Some companies have made goals to be PFAS-free by a certain time-period and have not met those goals yet, so I like to look at the material of each item of clothing individually. I’ve compiled summaries of every outdoor company’s standpoint as far as phasing out PFAS chemicals on their outerwear- look at each individual brand below for more details.
State Legislation Regarding PFAS Chemicals
California Assembly Bill 1817 will prohibit the manufacture, distribution, or sale of any apparel and other textile articles with intentionally added PFAS or a total organic fluorine content in excess of 100 ppm. A textile article manufacturer must provide sellers of that article a certificate of compliance with AB 1817. California will implement the restrictions in phases, with the first phase taking effect January 1, 2025.
New York enacted bill S.1322/A.994 that is focused on restricting apparel with intentionally added PFAS. New York will implement the restrictions in phases, with the first phase taking effect January 1, 2025.
Colorado will begin a phased approach to prohibit PFAS in outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions. In the first phase, a label with a PFAS disclosure is required.
Outerwear & Jackets That Don’t Contain Forever Chemicals
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker, an urban commuter, or someone preparing for chilly winters, PFAS-free options do exist, including PFAS-free winter outerwear for kids and PFAS-free rain gear for kids. I’m happy to report that there are outdoor gear companies that have been phasing out PFAS coatings and are either 100% PFAS-free or are well on their way to becoming PFAS-free. Look below to find the leading brands in the outdoor industry that offer PFAS-free outerwear and jackets.
Picture Organic
Picture Organic is a French company that was founded in 2008 and is best known for its strides to make apparel more sustainable. Picture Organic specializes in producing high-performance, eco-friendly outdoor clothing, primarily focused on ski and snowboard apparel, while also offering gear for other outdoor activities like surfing, all with a strong emphasis on sustainable materials and manufacturing practices.
PFAS Phaseout | Picture Organic has been PFAS-free since 2017
PFAS-Free Membrane | Teflon EcoElite™ is made of Bluesign® certified bio-sourced materials. The treatment can be reactivated with external solutions such as NST or Nikwax.
Shop | Picture Organic, Picture Organic Men’s Clothing, Picture Organic Women’s Clothing
Passenger
Passenger is a UK-based brand that specializes in outdoor clothing for everyday adventures. Passenger offers a range of casual and outdoor styles for men and women, including hoodies, graphic tees, jackets, and accessories. Passenger products are PFAS-free and REACH compliant, ensuring they meet strict EU safety and environmental regulations. They’re also working on updating their restricted substances list to further enhance product safety and quality across the range. Passenger is known for its use of responsibly sourced materials, such as recycled cotton, recycled polyester, hemp, and organic cotton. Passenger plants a tree for every order to give back to the places that mean the most to them.
PFAS Phaseout | all products are PFAS-free
PFAS-Free Membrane | PFAS-free DWR finish and PU (PFC-Free) coating on some items
Shop | Passenger, Passenger Men’s Clothing, Passenger Women’s Clothing
Fjallraven
Fjällräven is an outdoor clothing and equipment company that’s committed to making nature more accessible. Fjallraven specializes in outdoor equipment, primarily clothing and luggage. They are well-known for their backpacks.
PFAS Phaseout | Started phasing out PFAS in 2009. Today they are totally PFAS-free, including the zippers.
PFAS-Free Membranes | G-1000 is their cornerstone material. It’s a densely woven fabric made from 65% polyester and 35% cotton. They coat their products with Greenland Wax, a “proprietary mix of paraffin and beeswax.”
Shop | Fjallraven on Backcountry, Fjallraven on Amazon
Jack Wolfskin
Jack Wolfskin is a German company that was founded over 40 years ago and offers a PFC-free wash-in waterproofing product. Jack Wolfskin sells a variety of outdoor products, including clothing for mountain, leisure, and sports (for men, women and children), footwear, backpacks, sleeping bags and tents.
PFAS Phaseout | PFC-free since the spring/summer 2019 collection for all clothing, packs, and bags. The company’s equipment range, including tents, accessories, and toiletry bags, has also been PFC-free since spring/summer 2020.
PFAS-Free Membrane | TEXAPORE: a polyurethane (PU) membrane and coating that is completely free of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs). TEXAPORE is flexible, durable, and breathable, and provides protection from wind and rain.
Shop | Jack Wolfskin
Vaude
Vaude is a German company that has been working to eliminate PFCs from their products since 2010, when they stopped using them in waterproof membranes. They’ve since banned PFCs from more and more parts of their collection, including: Water-repellent clothing in 2015, Sleeping bags in 2016, Waterproof clothing in 2018, Footwear and backpacks in 2020, and all apparel fabrics in 2021. Vaude specializes in outdoor clothing and gear for activities like hiking, mountaineering, cycling, and everyday use. Their main business segments are mountain sports, bike sports, and packs ‘n bags.
PFAS Phaseout | started phasing out PFAS in 2014. Vaude is now 100% PFAS-free.
PFAS-Free Membranes | Ceplex: A polyurethane (PU) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) membrane that’s 100% fluorocarbon-free. Ceplex comes in three performance levels: active, advanced, and pro. Ceplex Green: A PU membrane that contains up to 25% S. Café®, a material derived from recycled coffee grounds. This makes Ceplex Green partially bio-based and sourced from renewable materials.
Shop | Vaude
Kari Traa
Kari Traa is not just a three-time Olympic medalist for Norway, but also the founder of Europe’s fastest-growing women’s sports brand. Kari Traa features a complete sports collection of jackets, ski and exercise clothing for women.
PFAS Phaseout | Phased out PFAS in 2013
PFAS-Free Membranes | PFAS-free DWR finish
Shop | Kari Traa
Icebreaker
Icebreaker is a New Zealand company that was founded in 1995, and this sustainable company values transparency, responsibility, and nature-inspired innovation. Their clothing is made from 89.7% merino wool.Icebreaker‘s clothing is designed for people who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, camping, skiing, and fishing.
PFAS Phaseout | PFAS free since 2022
PFAS-Free Membranes | PFAS-free DWR finish
Shop | Icebreaker, Icebreaker Men’s Clothing, Icebreaker Women’s Clothing
Reima
Reima has strict chemical safety standards and has set limits for various substances that are even stricter than those in the European Union. Reima also has a Restricted Substances List (RSL) that specifies which chemicals are banned or restricted in their products. Reima is committed to using environmentally friendly and safer alternatives to harmful chemicals. Reima offers a wide variety of clothing for children, and limited attire for adults. They carry winter and rain-worthy outerwear as well as sportswear, casual attire and kids footwear.
PFAS Phaseout | PFAS-free since 2017
PFAS-Free Membranes | BIONIC FINISH® ECO and Teflon Ecoelite®.
Shop | Reima, Reima Adult Clothing
Polarn O. Pyret
Founded in 1976, Polarn O. Pyret is a Swedish children’s clothing brand (with some adult clothes too) known for its high-quality, durable, and sustainable designs, primarily focused on baby and toddler wear, with a signature style featuring classic stripes and Scandinavian prints.
PFAS Phaseout | All products are PFAS-free.
PFAS-Free Membranes | BIONIC-FINISH® ECO
Shop | Polarn O. Pyret, Polarn O. Pyret Adult Clothing
Keen
Keen footwear, a Portland, Oregon based company, was founded in 2003. KEEN is a values-led, outdoor footwear brand with a mission to responsibly create original and versatile products, improve lives, and inspire outside adventure.
PFAS Phaseout | Phased out PFAS in 2018. Keen is now 100% PFAS-free.
PFAS-Free Membranes | silicone-based, PFAS-free waterproofing spray
Shop | Keen on Amazon, Keen on Backcountry
Still Phasing Out PFAS
All of the brands below are well on their way to becoming PFAS-free, but they still have some products that contain fluorinated DWR. Check the label or the description on the website before purchasing from the companies below. On Backcountry.com, all PFC-free coatings are correctly identified, but occasionally I came across a PFC-free membrane that had the DWR designation, but did not specify whether it was PFC-free. In this case, I would check the brand website to further investigate whether the coating is PFC-free. I will update this post when any of the brands below are completely PFAS-free.
Patagonia
Patagonia is an American retailer known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental protection that specializes in outdoor clothing, equipment, and food. Patagonia sells outerwear, long underwear, jackets, vests, fleece, tops, bottoms, hats, and accessories. Patagonia also sells backpacks, camping accessories, and sleeping bags. Patagonia has been working to reduce the use of PFAS in their products for over 15 years.
PFAS Phaseout | For Spring 2025 and beyond, all Patagonia new styles are made without intentionally added PFAS.
PFAS-Free Membranes | Gore-Tex ePE Membrane: Patagonia was the first to use this membrane in their Storm Shift ski and snowboard jacket. The ePE membrane is lightweight, strong, and durable, and it’s treated with a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR). Waxed Cotton: Patagonia also uses waxed cotton as a PFC-free water-repellent material.
Shop | Patagonia, Patagonia Men’s Clothing, Patagonia Women’s Clothing, Patagonia Kid’s Clothing
The North Face
The North Face is an American outdoor apparel and equipment company that specializes in gear and clothing for activities such as camping, hiking, climbing, running, skiing, snowboarding, and mountaineering. The North Face’s products include outerwear, fleece, jackets and coats, shirts, footwear, backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags. The North Face carries clothing for men, women and children of all ages.
PFAS Phaseout | The North Face hopes to be totally PFAS-free by the end of 2025
PFAS-Free Membranes | FUTURELIGHT™ membrane, which is a waterproof membrane with a nano-structure that allows air to pass through.
Shop | The North Face, The North Face Men’s Clothing, The North Face Women’s Clothing, The North Face Kids Clothing, The North Face on Amazon
Burton
Burton Snowboards was founded by Jake Burton Carpenter in 1977. The company specializes in products aimed at snowboarders, such as snowboards, bindings, boots, outerwear, and accessories. By 2016, Burton removed added PFAS in durable water-repellent treatments (DWR) from the majority of their products. To check each Burton product for PFAS, click on the “Product Features” drop down menu, and if there are PFAS chemicals used, there will be a PFAS warning.
PFAS Phaseout | All Burton accessories are 100% PFC-free DWR. By the current season, Winter 2024 – 2025, 96% of their products are free of intentionally added PFAS. They’re aiming to be 100% free of intentionally added PFAS by 2026.
PFAS-Free Membranes | GORE-TEX ePE membrane
Shop | Burton, Burton Men’s Clothing, Burton Women’s Clothing, Burton Men’s Accessories, Burton Women’s Accessories
Helly Hansen
Helly Hansen is a Norwegian company that specializes in technical apparel for outdoor activities, work, and sports. Helly Hansen is a leader in performance ski apparel and technical sailing gear. They also make camping gear, rainproof clothes, and life jackets. Helly Hansen is phasing out PFAS chemicals from their products and they collaborate with research institutes and chemical suppliers of PFAS-free DWR.
PFAS Phaseout | All kids products are PFAS-free. I’m waiting to hear back from the company about how many of their adult clothing products contain DWR.
PFAS-Free Membranes | LIFA INFINITYTM is an infinity membrane with an outer fabric of recycled polyester and a PFC-free DWR. LIFA INFINITY PROTM, on the other hand, is an infinity membrane with an outer fabric made from 100% LIFA® fibers (polypropylene), which have inherent water-repellency properties.
Shop | Helly Hansen, Helly Hansen Men’s Clothing, Helly Hansen Women’s Clothing, Helly Hansen Kids Clothing
Mammut
Mammut is a Swiss company that specializes in mountain sports equipment and apparel. Mammut sells performance apparel and footwear for outdoor activities, makes sleeping bags for outdoor enthusiasts and offers climbing harnesses and other equipment for climbers.
PFAS Phaseout | Started phasing out PFAS in 2013. For their Fall-Winter 2023/2024 collection, 79% of their apparel, 81% of their accessories, 92% of their sleeping bags and 100% of their backpacks, bags, and harnesses were PFC-free. Mammut plans to remove all PFCs from their products by 2025.
PFAS-Free Membranes | GORE-TEX ePE membrane
Shop | Mammut, Mammut Men’s Clothing, Mammut Women’s Clothing
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