PFC/PFAS Free Winter Gear for Kids and Parents
updated 10/2022
The challenge: to find PFAS free winter gear for the family- from kids to adults.
The reason: the majority of winter gear companies (as well as sleeping bags, tents and even lunch boxes) still use Perfluorocarbons (PFAS also called PFCs) in their "DWR (durable water repellent) base for treating their fabrics and making them repel moisture.
PFAS, or PFC chemicals are fluorinated compounds, which are linked to testicular and kidney cancer, thyroid disease, obesity, weakened immunity and other health problems.
"PFC-laced runoff from a DuPont's manufacturing plant was blamed for major birth defects and other health issues in Parkersburg, West Virginia. The consequences of PFC bioaccumulation are so serious that 200 scientists signed the Madrid Statement to express concern over the continued production and release of PFCs." (https://www.wired.com/2016/09/pfc-free-outdoors-gear/)
Many companies have pledged to stop using PFAS/ PFC in the coming years, but many (I recently confirmed North Face, Gap and Patagonia models) are still using PFAS/PFC based DWR.
How to recognize if a product has added PFAS chemicals
Unfortunately this is not always easy to do. More often than not companies are very vague and do not tell you what contains added PFAS/PFC chemicals and what does not.
Generally, if a textile product claims to be 'water resistant' or 'stain resistant,' it is worth looking into a bit more since more often than not this will mean PFAS chemicals have been added. Send questions to customer service specifically asking : "How does your jacket achieve water repellency? Does it use a C6 DWR or other Perfluorocarbons ?"
Generally if you see the words 'DWR' that usually means that a C6 PFAS chemical has been added (but not always). Also, usually, a jacket that is water resistant/ repellant that DOES NOT contain PFAS/ PFC will specify this in the description
Most coats that do not use PFAS/PFC will specify they do not use these chemicals in the description
PFAS/ PFC FREE WINTER GEAR OPTIONS
KIDS
Jack Wolfskin
Jack Wolfskin last year (as of spring/summer 2019) achieved their sustainability goal and now all their clothing items, packs and bags are completely 100% PFC-free . These are available in Europe, in my Amazon Store and Sprout San Francisco is now carrying them too!
Polarn O. Pyret
"All Polarn O. Pyret’s outerwear with water repellent abilities are completely free of sealers containing perfluorinated compounds, known as PFCs. The outer garments are treated with a PFC-free substance to maintain the same water repellent function."
Their insulated Accessories are " Insulated with Primaloft Gold ECO Insulation and PFC-free waterproofing."
CeLaVi
Sizes 9 months- 12 year
This Danish brand makes water proof rain and snow suits using 38% Polyurethane, 62% Polyester. Yes it is plastic, however this is for truly waterproof needs, better. For the US you can buy online at Biddle and Bob (https://www.biddleandbop.com/collections/celavi ) or Maisonette
Burton
Most of their kids jackets and snowsuits are already PFC free (see my Amazon shop for specific models). The company as a whole has " committed to 100% PFC-Free Durable Water Repellency (DWR) due to the lasting and uncertain impacts of PFCs on the environment" by 2020. UPDATE: As of 12/2020 the company confirmed “just about all of our waterproof garments are PFC free…. (except) Our highest-end AK gear (because) it is our hardest outerwear to find the sustainable path to.”
12 months + (kids, youth and adults)
PFAS free snow jackets, pants and rain gear
Hummel
all Hummel Children’s clothing are not only 100% PFC-free but are also OEKO-TEX® certified
Vaude (not available in the US)
"All products feature EcoFinish water repellency that is fluorocarbon-free (PFC-free). In addition, VAUDE Children’s Apparel meets the Green Shape criteria for eco-friendly products – made from sustainable materials, with resource saving manufacturing and in fair production conditions."
PICTURE ORGANICS
France-based Picture Organic was formed in 2008 by three friends who were disappointed by the environmental ethics of the outdoor gear world. They started making ski and snowboard gear based on three principals: They wanted to make them in the most environmentally friendly way possible, they wanted to make them look good, and they wanted them to be priced the same as the less-organic offerings, so that people wouldn’t have to compromise their morals for dollars. Kids and Adults
A Spanish company that is B Corp certified. They make their coats out of recycled plastic bottles and recycled nylon- down filled- without adding PFAS! All of ECOALF’s providers have at least one Bluesign® certification and/or STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®.
MOLO
All of Molo’s technical outerwear with water repellant properties are PFC free (eg. PFOS and PFOA). This includes our ski jackets, snowsuits, gloves, winter jackets, pull-on pants, rainwear, and softshell jackets.
available now online and in stores at Sprout San Francisco
Rain and Snow gear
sizes 3 months - 13years
use 100% polyester with a PFC-free DWR finish.
This company’s lightweight puffer jackets are Oeko TEx Certified and the DWR they use is a non-PFC agent called Bionic Finish ECO by Rudolf .
H&M Kids
Their Water-repellent Jacket does not use PFAS and pricing starts at $35
All Boden and mini Boden winter and outdoor gear are PFAS free
The North Face
While they had a company wide goal of being PFAS free by 2020, they have not achieved it but still have plenty of products available that are PFAS free. Look for items labelled as having a “ non-PFC DWR finish” with their “DryVent™ 2L shell”
ADULTS
12 months + (kids, youth and adults)
PFAS free snow jackets, pants and rain gear
Fjällräven
Fjällräven's entire line has been PFC-free since 2015. Instead, they use a proprietary blend of beeswax and paraffin. Clothing and gear
North Face
While they are still using PFAS based DWR, their Apex+ ETip lines come with The North Face's new non-fluorinated DWR softshell fabric, called ClimateBlock. It is not recommended for wet snow sports, but is ok for everyday winter wear.
Columbia OutDry Extreme
Their OutDry Extreme, which debuted in 2017, " relies on a different mechanism, rubberizing the membrane to protect it and prevent moisture penetration. To make sure it still breathes the membrane has thousands of tiny pores that allow water vapor on the inside to escape. The design also ditches the glue needed to stick other membranes together, since that can slow down moisture transfer, instead fusing the soft lining to the shell with heat." Not all Columbia jackets are PFC free
A Spanish company that is B Corp certified. They make their coats out of recycled plastic bottles and recycled nylon- down filled- without adding PFAS! All of ECOALF’s providers have at least one Bluesign® certification and/or STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. Men, Women and kids
France-based Picture Organic was formed in 2008 by three friends who were disappointed by the environmental ethics of the outdoor gear world. They started making ski and snowboard gear based on three principals: They wanted to make them in the most environmentally friendly way possible, they wanted to make them look good, and they wanted them to be priced the same as the less-organic offerings, so that people wouldn’t have to compromise their morals for dollars.
Swedish winter gear (including jackets and boots) without PFAS chemicals. Waterproof jackets (rating 10000 mm) are made with 100% Nylon with coating in 100% PU, PVC and PFC/ PFAS free.
SHOES
After being asked by many of you about shoes- I will slowly add information on PFAS free shoes here!!
Columbia Hiking Shoes
he technology that does not include PFC is our Outdry Extreme/Extreme Eco. PFC's are typically used in Durable Water Repellent (DWR) on many waterproof jackets. However in 2016 Columbia developed the OutDry Extreme technology, which no longer requires the use of PFCs which don't break down readily in the environment. We do not have any kid's footwear with our Outdry technology included at this current time. Here are some examples for you to take a look at for women's options!
Women's 100MW Titanium Outdry Hiking Boot
Women's Facet 45 Outdry Shoes
KEEN footwear:
An American footwear and accessories company based in Portland, Oregon. All KEEN footwear is PFC free. You can find various options for both women and kids in my Amazon shop
Sister company of Fjallraven, Hanwag makes PFAS free shoes and boots for all sorts of adventures (women and men)
OTHER
BAGS
DEUTER BAGS & backpacks & childcarriers (also available on Amazon )
TENTS
What other household products commonly contain PFAS chemicals?
As a reminder these other products commonly have PFAS chemicals added
- drinking water: make sure your filtration system filters PFAS out.
- non-stick kitchen pans and products
- carpeting
- stain resistant upholstery fabric (sometimes referred to as "performance fabric)
- outdoor rugs and furniture
- backpacks and lunchboxes (including the beloved Planet Box carry bag . Their wrap is a better alternative)
- dental floss
- fast food packaging and many pizza boxes, microwavable popcorn bags
- car seats and strollers: All 2020 models of Bumbleride strollers have confirmed to be PFAS free