PFAS in Raincoats & Waterproof Outerwear: What to Avoid and Safer Alternatives (2026)

Most "waterproof" jacket DWR coatings are made of PFAS.

Quick answer

Some raincoats & waterproof outerwear contain PFAS ("forever chemicals") and some do not. Most "waterproof" jacket DWR coatings are made of PFAS. Third-party testing has flagged specific brands (below); safer options include Páramo – fully PFAS-free since 2014 and Picture Organic Clothing – bio-based DWR. The same chemicals contaminate drinking water, so the highest-impact step for most people is filtering their tap.

How we source this: we report published third-party testing (Green Science Policy Institute, Consumer Reports, Mamavation, Ecology Center, Silent Spring Institute, and peer-reviewed studies) and name the study behind each finding. We do not test products ourselves.

How PFAS gets into raincoats & waterproof outerwear

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finishes have historically used long-chain PFAS (C8) and shorter-chain replacements (C6) to make fabric repel water. PFAS sheds during washing and wear, ending up in household and outdoor environments.

What testing has found

Greenpeace Detox Outdoor 2022 testing found PFAS in 11 of 13 outdoor jackets tested across major brands. Even brands with "PFC-free" claims sometimes had detectable PFAS in waterproof zippers or seam tapes.

Brands flagged in testing

  • Many traditional Gore-Tex membranes (older Gore-Tex Pro used PFAS)
  • Columbia, North Face, and Patagonia historic waterproof lines (transitioning)
  • Most waterproof rainwear from fast-fashion brands (H&M, Uniqlo, Old Navy)

Safer brand alternatives

  • Páramo – fully PFAS-free since 2014
  • Picture Organic Clothing – bio-based DWR
  • Patagonia (newer products with "PFC-free" label, full transition by 2025)
  • Vaude eco-collection – PFAS-free DWR
  • Houdini Sportswear – fully PFAS-free outerwear

How this connects to your drinking water

PFAS shed from waterproof clothing during washing enters wastewater, which treatment plants cannot remove. PFAS from outdoor textile manufacturing has contaminated groundwater near factories in China, Vietnam, and the US.

What to do right now

  • Look for explicit "PFC-free" or "PFAS-free" labels (PFC and PFAS are used interchangeably)
  • For mild weather, choose tightly woven cotton or wool over PFAS-treated synthetics
  • Wash waterproof jackets less often – PFAS sheds during every wash
  • Reproof with bio-based products (Nikwax, Grangers PFC-free) instead of PFAS sprays

Frequently asked questions

Do all raincoats & waterproof outerwear contain PFAS?
No. Several brands have been third-party tested PFAS-free, including Páramo – fully PFAS-free since 2014, Picture Organic Clothing – bio-based DWR, Patagonia (newer products with "PFC-free" label, full transition by 2025). The PFAS-containing products are usually those marketed with words like "stain-resistant," "waterproof," "long-wear," "non-stick," or "grease-resistant."
How do I know if my raincoats & waterproof outerwear have PFAS?
Check the ingredient list or product spec sheet for: PTFE, PFOA, PFOS, perfluoro-, polyfluoro-, fluoro-, or "fluorocarbon" prefixes. If the product is labeled "stain-resistant," "waterproof," or "non-stick" without an explicit PFAS-free certification, assume PFAS until proven otherwise.
What's the safest alternative?
For raincoats & waterproof outerwear, the cleanest options include Páramo – fully PFAS-free since 2014 and Picture Organic Clothing – bio-based DWR. Look for explicit "PFC-free" or "PFAS-free" labels (PFC and PFAS are used interchangeably).
How does this connect to drinking water contamination?
PFAS shed from waterproof clothing during washing enters wastewater, which treatment plants cannot remove. PFAS from outdoor textile manufacturing has contaminated groundwater near factories in China, Vietnam, and the US.
Are PFAS in raincoats & waterproof outerwear regulated?
Federal regulation is limited. In February 2024 the FDA announced that manufacturers had stopped selling PFAS-based grease-proofing agents for US food packaging, a voluntary phase-out rather than a ban. 13+ US states have passed PFAS-in-products bans (Maine, California, New York, Washington, Minnesota, others). Personal-care PFAS are not federally regulated, though several states are considering bans.