PFAS in Outdoor Gear, Explained
A complete run-down on PFAS in the outdoor industry
Apr 11, 2025
Table of contents
First, a quick note on nomenclature. PFC is an older acronym that refers specifically to perfluorinated chemicals. The terminology has evolved over time, and PFAS is now the accepted umbrella term encompassing PFCs and over 12,000 related synthetic chemicals, all of which are strong enough to resist breaking down in the environment and the human body. While most of the scientific community today uses the term PFAS, the outdoor industry still frequently refers to PFCs. At Better Trail, we've decided to employ PFAS as a catch-all term to ensure clarity for everyone.
PFAS are synthetic compounds used extensively in manufacturing since the 1940s. In 1938, American chemist Roy J. Plunkett accidentally discovered the earliest-known PFAS compound in the U.S. when he and his colleagues were experimenting with gases related to refrigerants. What started as a routine check on a frozen sample ended with the discovery of PTFE, or Teflon. This discovery led to significant advancements in numerous industries—PFAS compounds insulate the cables that run through airplanes, prevent food from sticking to packaging, and, until recently, they've been the main reason your favorite rain or ski jacket repels water so well.
The carbon-fluorine chemical bond, one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry, is what makes PFAS so versatile. Its hydrophobic nature means it repels water and oils, making it perfect for nonstick pans, waterproof rain jackets, and stain-repellent carpets. The bond also possesses near-indestructible properties, which is why PFAS are dubbed "forever chemicals." Once present in a natural environment, they persist and accumulate; if they degrade at all, it is only over very long timeframes.
PFAS are not confined to a specific consumer product category—they exist in many items that we use every day. Because of their ubiquity, scientists find PFAS practically everywhere on Earth—deep in the soil, in water sources, and even in humans. (Nearly every person in the United States has a measurable amount of PFAS in their blood, and it has also been found in human breast milk.) The chemicals have even made their way into animals in Arctic ecosystems and isolated human populations, leading to growing concerns about their environmental and health impacts.
When it comes to outdoor gear, you’ll find PFAS in even the smallest design components, including zippers, trims, button snaps, and footwear lacing systems. Sure, we all want a rain jacket that can withstand a downpour and a pan that food doesn't stick to, but the persistence of PFAS raises essential questions about their long-term consequences for both outdoor enthusiasts and the planet. While PFAS in outdoor gear is certainly a problem, the most significant risk of PFAS exposure comes from other sources, such as drinking water, food packaging, or working in a production facility that uses fluorochemicals.
Researchers and regulatory organizations are shining a light on the environmental and health impacts of PFAS, and the findings are alarming. The chemicals have been linked to a range of serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage, increased cholesterol, hormonal imbalances, and immune system disruption. Studies have also shown that exposure to PFAS can lead to developmental delays in children, increased risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women, and fertility issues in both men and women. The persistent nature of these chemicals means they accumulate in human and animal tissue over time, leading to long-term, compounding health risks.
The long-term effects of PFAS were initially underestimated, and the damage has only become apparent after years of widespread use. Now, we’re facing a broader reckoning. While we may not be able to eradicate PFAS from where they’ve already settled, we can take action now to lessen their accumulation in the environment and human beings.
PFAS are used in a variety of outdoor gear due to their water-repellent properties, durability, and heat and oil resistance. The insulating down in your puffy jacket? It contains natural oils that would seep into the jacket's fabric if not for PFAS. When added to ski wax, PFAS’ friction-reducing properties improve glide in variable snow conditions. The chemicals also make climbing ropes more resistant to wear and keep water from soaking into your hiking boots.
Because of their water-repellent properties, PFAS have mainly been used in the two major components of waterproof jackets responsible for keeping you warm and dry—waterproof membranes and durable water-repellent (DWR) coatings. A waterproof membrane—think Gore-Tex or eVent—is a thin layer bonded to the jacket's outer material that allows your jacket to be both waterproof and breathable. A DWR treatment is a coating applied to the jacket's outer shell that allows water to bead up and shed off rather than soaking through to the waterproof membrane. If you're shopping for a new rain shell or ski jacket that doesn’t contain PFAS, ensure both the membrane and the DWR treatment are PFAS free.
Rainwear and ski gear have historically received more coverage than other outdoor gear that contains PFAS, but many other products have also used PFAS to meet on-trail performance goals. For one, PFAS have been used in outdoor apparel to improve fabric durability and stain resistance, in part by repelling oil and dirt, which can degrade clothing over time. PFAS are also found in footwear such as hiking shoes, sandals, and climbing shoes due to their water-repellent properties. PFAS are also commonly used in flame retardants on tents and non-stick camping cookware products. Finally, gear maintenance products like bike lubricants and ski or surf wax often contain PFAS for both its dirt- and water-repellency and friction-reducing properties.
Now that the PFAS conversation is growing louder and the pressure is on to limit forever chemicals in outdoor gear, a few brands are leading the way. These manufacturers are incorporating new PFAS-free waterproofing technologies into their products, establishing goals and timelines to completely eliminate forever chemicals, and educating consumers about PFAS through informational articles and online content. Here are some companies that have made impressive progress toward eliminating PFAS.
Established in 1977, Nikwax gear care products have always been PFAS-free. The company is clear about its commitment to keeping its offerings free of forever chemicals. In recent years, Nikwax has collaborated with brands like Outdoor Research to share its techniques and develop high-performance, PFAS-free DWR treatments and other waterproofing solutions.
Popular PFAS-free products: TX.Direct Spray-On, Down Wash.Direct
Keen is a leader in PFAS-free outdoor footwear and actively encourages other footwear brands to join the movement. The company began its journey toward PFAS-free footwear in 2014, eliminating nearly 70% of its PFAS use within the first year and eliminating it entirely by 2018. In addition, Keen compiled thousands of work hours and knowledge about its PFAS elimination process into a document that other companies can consult as they embark on their own chemical reduction journeys.
Popular PFAS-free products: Targhee IV Waterproof, KS86 Trail Sneaker
This Swedish brand has been phasing out PFAS from its clothing, tents, and accessory pieces since 2009. As of 2023, all of the materials that Fjallraven uses in its products are PFAS free, excluding zippers.
Popular PFAS-free products: High Coast Hydratic Trail Jacket, Expedition Pack Down Hoodie
Patagonia has been at the forefront of the effort to phase out harmful PFAS from its outdoor gear. In fall 2019, it launched its first products that have DWR treatments without PFAS. In spring 2025, Patagonia achieved its goal of using PFAS-free waterproof membranes and finishes for all its products.
Popular PFAS-free products: Torrentshell 3L, Fitz Roy Down Hoody
Outdoor Research made a serious effort to phase out PFAS in 2024, and in spring 2025 the brand completed its phase-out of forever chemicals. To do this, the brand partnered with Nikwax to innovate a new, PFAS-free factory-applied DWR. Outdoor Research has also published a variety of public resources about PFAS and its environmental and human health impacts.
Popular PFAS-free products: Skytour Ascentshell, Helium Down Hoodie
The brand released its first products with a PFAS-free Gore-Tex ePE membrane in February 2024 and is aiming to replace all of its waterproof membrane materials with PFAS-free alternatives by the end of 2025. Arc’teryx reports that most of its products are now free from forever chemicals, with the remaining products being transitioned in the next several months.
Popular PFAS-free products: Beta SL, Thorium Hoody
After Patagonia, Stio was one of the first brands to release a PFAS-free DWR coating back in 2020. It has also partnered with Gore-Tex to update its winter season gear with the new PFAS-free Gore-Tex ePE membrane.
Popular PFAS-free products: Pinion Down, Environ
REI now includes PFAS elimination as part of its Product Impact Standards, which its more than 1,000 partner brands must comply with to sell gear at REI. REI’s standards require that all cookware and textile products be PFAS free by fall 2024. However, it’s giving brands that produce high-altitude gear—think mountaineering boots—until 2026 to phase out PFAS due to the need for further innovation and testing.
Popular PFAS-free products: Powderbound Insulated, 650 Down
Since spring 2024 all of Cotopaxi’s new apparel and backpacks have been PFAS free, excluding its Del Día line, which is made from repurposed fabrics. The brand set the goal of eliminating PFAS from that collection by spring 2025 but has not yet published an update. Cotopaxi's transparency about its PFAS-free commitment and thoughtful use of repurposed materials reflects a balanced approach to sustainability, prioritizing environmental safety while minimizing waste.
Popular PFAS-free products: Cielo Rain Jacket, Allpa 35 L Travel Pack
To make the search for sustainable outdoor gear as easy as possible, Better Trail has created a comprehensive online sustainability hub that allows you to search for products based on sustainability criteria such as PFAS-free, Responsible Wool Standard, and Bluesign-approved materials. Select your preferred criteria and you’ll see a list of Better Trail-reviewed gear that has been vetted for both quality and environmental impact.
Some major outdoor gear retailers have also begun incorporating sustainability sort functions into their websites. REI, Backcountry, and Public Lands all offer sustainability sorting criteria to help you find a product that aligns with your values for your next outdoor adventure.
We’d be remiss not to mention that switching to PFAS-free gear, particularly products with a DWR coating, comes with some tradeoffs. While most PFAS-free DWR coatings (when clean) can compete with the water resistance of PFAS, they are less resistant to oil and dirt. Rather than being sloughed off, these contaminants can sit on top of the DWR finish, which impacts a fabric's ability to repel water.
If you’ve purchased PFAS-free waterproof gear in the last few years, you’re probably well aware of this challenge. The bad news is that compromised performance is our new reality given the necessary elimination of PFAS; the good news is that keeping your waterproof products clean can go a long way. Thus, many brands have started to encourage their customers to wash their PFAS-free products often (Patagonia, for example, suggests that PFAS-free gear needs to be washed nearly twice as frequently as gear with PFAS). You can easily wash gear on your own: We recommend splurging for a waterproof detergent like those from Nikwax, Granger, or Storm Care, using a front-loading washing machine, and drying on low heat.
In our opinion, no. Since forever chemicals are already prevalent in our environment, the most sustainable practice would be to hold onto your gear and maximize its lifespan rather than adding additional PFAS to landfills.
To extend the life of your outdoor gear, particularly products with waterproof materials, remember that washing it can go a long way in preserving its usefulness and maximizing breathability and water resistance. Additionally, you can refresh older water-resistant gear with PFAS-free products such as Nikwax's waterproofing spray. And, when it comes time to finally retire your well-worn, long-loved gear, consider utilizing resources like Better Trail's sustainability ratings to find a more environmentally friendly item.
In response to growing public concern, federal and state governments have begun to crack down on the use and disposal of PFAS. In fact, California and New York each enacted a complete ban that started on January 1, 2025. However, federal and state governments have taken different approaches to mitigating the impact of PFAS, and the language used in PFAS legislation often contains confusing jargon.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched its PFAS Strategic Roadmap in 2021, which proposed new drinking water standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act. To hold brands accountable and educate consumers, it also implemented a new rule that requires manufacturers to report the amount of PFAS that they have imported or produced in the U.S. between 2011 and 2022. Additionally, certain PFAS compounds are now being labeled as hazardous under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (the Superfund Law), which governs the clean-up of hazardous waste sites. As a result, efforts to clean up PFAS might finally begin to catch up to the contamination.
While the EPA has proposed nationwide standards and reporting rules, states such as California and Maine are setting their own, often stricter, guidelines for PFAS control. California, for instance, passed laws to phase out PFAS in food packaging and textiles—a move that influenced REI's recent decision to ban PFAS in all textiles and cookware products. Maine took it a step further by enacting a law that will phase out all nonessential PFAS by 2030. "Nonessential" means that, in some cases, PFAS will still be used in a product, but only if there is no safer alternative and the product is deemed absolutely necessary for the health, safety, or functioning of society, like medical devices and protective gear for firefighters.
California, Colorado, Washington, New York, and New Hampshire have all banned firefighting foams that contain PFAS, and 11 states now have limits regarding certain PFAS in drinking water. Others, such as Connecticut and Massachusetts, intend to ban PFAS in firefighting gear within the next two to three years. But some states are lagging behind, possibly awaiting new federal regulations or dealing with industry pushback. Texas and Louisiana, for example, which have large chemical industries, are less aggressive in their regulation, highlighting the uneven approach to PFAS contamination across the U.S.
As federal and state regulations continue to evolve, we're seeing a race between industry innovation and environmental protection, where the stakes are high and the rules are far from uniform. Yet, such large-scale regulatory processes typically move slowly, bogged down by bureaucracy and conflicting interests. All the while, PFAS continue to seep into rivers, air, and soil, intensifying the urgency of the matter. The race has certainly begun, but it’s hard to know how long it’ll last until we reach the finish line. Grab your (PFAS-free) water bottle and settle in for the long haul.
Third-party organizations are stepping in as gatekeepers of environmental responsibility and helping curb the use of PFAS in outdoor gear. Take Bluesign, for example, a certification system working to ensure safer chemical use and decreased environmental impact. The Bluesign certification assesses transparency and accountability at all stages of a company’s supply chain, with a focus on sustainable chemistry. Bluesign doesn't just give a stamp of approval for using less toxic chemicals; it pushes brands to overhaul their entire manufacturing process to make it more sustainable. It’s worth noting that Bluesign isn’t banning PFAS until 2025, but once it does, brands that want the Bluesign stamp of approval will have to be entirely PFAS free. Bluesign specialists also monitor worker safety, emissions and pollution control, and overall factory operation efficiency. When you see a product labeled Bluesign, you know it's been vetted not just for performance, but for how well it aligns with the future of sustainable gear.
There’s also Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which has become a common certification for household textiles that are free from harmful substances. The Standard’s reach extends into outdoor apparel and gear, providing a critical indicator for consumers who want to ensure their puffy jackets or rainwear don't carry hidden toxic risks. Oeko-Tex has banned the use of intentionally added PFAS in textiles, apparel, and footwear. Checking for an Oeko-Tex certification is like doing a health checkup for your gear, ensuring it's safe for you and the planet.
Complex chemical names, vague wording, and misleading euphemisms can make it challenging to decipher whether brands are being honest about their PFAS use. Here’s a rundown of common PFAS terminology and what it means.
This term differentiates PFAS that are added to products for functional properties like water repellency from PFAS that happens to end up in a product due to cross-contamination. Some companies that routinely test for PFAS in their products have gotten positive test results due to trace contamination from items such as shipping labels and receipts included in the packaging, even though the products themselves don’t contain PFAS. Many brands, including Patagonia and Outdoor Research, have adopted the term “no intentionally added PFAS” to describe the products we call PFAS free at Better Trail.
This term indicates that the durable water-repellent (DWR) coating you may find on tents, rainwear, or footwear does not contain PFAS. This said, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the entire product is PFAS free, as DWR treatments are only one component of the entire product.
This is another term meaning a product’s DWR is PFAS free. The name refers to the length of the chemical compound’s carbon chain (for example, most outdoor gear with PFAS uses a C6, or six-carbon compound). It is less commonly used than “PFAS free” or “No intentionally added PFAS,” but we see it occasionally in outdoor gear.
This vague term often refers to a PFAS-free DWR but is not very specific or transparent. Be wary of this term to ensure that the gear you are looking at is actually PFAS free. When we encounter this term in our research, we contact the brand directly to determine if the product is PFAS free or not.
Now that you're armed with the knowledge of how PFAS are used in outdoor gear, you can find gear that is better for the environment and human health. Use Better Trail’s sustainability hub to filter for PFAS-free products—and help keep forever chemicals out of our water supplies, bodies, and the far reaches of the planet.
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