PFAS in Outdoor Gear: Moving Beyond “Forever Chemicals”
A complete run-down on the rise and fall of PFAS in outdoor gear
Updated:
Apr 06, 2026Table of contents
Whether you’re scaling peaks or heading out in the rain, high-performance gear—until recently—often came with a hidden downside: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals.” These compounds repel water, oil, and heat, but their nearly indestructible nature means they persist in the environment—contaminating soil, water, and even our bodies. Here’s what to know about PFAS, the risks they pose, and how the outdoor industry has worked to eliminate them in response to recent legislation.
PFAS vs. PFCs
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.
What are PFAS, and Why are They Harmful?
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, historically, you could 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 areas where they’ve already settled, we can take action now to reduce their accumulation in the environment and in humans.
Where Have PFAS Historically Been Found in Outdoor Gear?
Historically, PFAS were used in a variety of outdoor gear products for their water-repellent properties, durability, and heat and oil resistance, but in 2025, state legislation banning PFAS from use in textiles changed the chemical landscape (we’ll get into this more below). Pre-2025, PFAS were the standard choice for water- and oil-repellent outdoor gear. For example, 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’s friction-reducing properties improve glide in variable snow conditions. The chemicals also made climbing ropes more resistant to wear and kept water from soaking into your hiking boots. Now, most outdoor brands are using PFAS-free formulations to achieve the same goals.
Because of their water-repellent properties, PFAS have mainly been used in the two major components of waterproof jackets that keep 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. Notably, as of 2026, the majority of rain jackets and shells sold in the U.S. use PFAS-free chemistry in both the DWR and waterproof membrane.
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 have also been found in footwear such as hiking shoes, sandals, and climbing shoes, as well as in flame retardants on tents and non-stick camping cookware. Finally, gear maintenance products like bike lubricants and ski wax have often been made with PFAS for both their dirt- and water-repellency and friction-reducing properties.
The 2025 Transition: PFAS-Free Outdoor Gear
As noted above, early 2025 was a major transition point in the PFAS regulatory landscape. Although concrete data on the number of outdoor brands that were still using PFAS in 2024 is sparse, our research shows that, prior to January 1, 2025, the vast majority of brands still produced gear containing PFAS. In 2025, California and New York enacted laws prohibiting the use of PFAS in apparel and other types of textiles. Suddenly, buyers in California saw notices on e-commerce websites stating that products containing PFAS could not be shipped to their locations. Notably, gear for severe wet conditions (think high-altitude mountaineering) is exempt from these rules until 2028.
Because California and New York account for a massive share of the gear market, they exert an outsized influence, prompting nearly every outdoor brand to make the transition to PFAS-free chemistry. Brands hurried to comply, and although many missed the January 1, 2025 phaseout target, by the end of 2026, nearly every major outdoor brand operating in the United States had phased out the chemicals from its mass-market outdoor products. Notably, other states followed suit in implementing regulations to limit PFAS in outdoor gear. Maine and Minnesota plan to ban PFAS from all products sold in their states by 2032, and Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Rhode Island, and Vermont are working to eliminate the chemicals from apparel in the next several years.
What Outdoor Gear Still Contains PFAS?
Even though California and New York legislation have had a major impact on the outdoor industry, PFAS-containing outdoor gear is still on the market. Some high-altitude and technical mountaineering gear, like La Sportiva’s Nepal Cube GTX and Mountain Hardwear’s Absolute Zero Parka, still contains PFAS. The same goes for commercial-grade fishing footwear, like Xtratuf’s Men’s Wheelhouse Ankle Deck Boot. Many brands label whether a product contains PFAS, but we recommend checking Better Trail’s sustainability hub to confirm, especially if you want to limit your exposure to these chemicals.
Outdoor Brands at the Forefront of Clean Chemistry
Although, as of 2026, the majority of outdoor brands are now fully (or nearly fully) PFAS-free, we want to highlight early leaders in the shift away from PFAS. A handful of brands stand out for their early commitment to transitioning to PFAS-free chemistries well before impending California and New York legislation, demonstrating their dedication to clean chemistry. Many of these brands invested early in the research and development of PFAS-free membranes and DWR alternatives while educating consumers about PFAS through informational articles and online content. Here are some outdoor brands that stand out for their leadership in adopting PFAS-free chemistry.
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 such as Outdoor Research and Parámo to share its techniques and develop high-performance, factory-applied, PFAS-free DWR treatments and other waterproofing solutions.
Popular PFAS-free products: TX.Direct Spray-On, Down Wash.Direct
Parámo eliminated PFAS from its products in 2014, making it one of the first outdoor brands to remove fluorinated chemicals from its supply chain. To do so, it worked with its partner brand, Nikwax (which has always produced PFAS-free aftercare products). Parámo continuously tests its fabrics for fluorine as part of its commitment to PFAS-free chemistry.
Popular PFAS-free products: Velez Jacket, Velez Adventure Smock
In 2009, Fjallraven began its journey to eliminate PFAS from its supply chain. It launched its first PFAS-free shell material in 2012, and by 2015, it had eliminated all intentionally added PFAS from its fabrics (including those used for tents and textiles). In 2022, the brand believed its zippers were PFAS-free, but in 2023, its supplier found PFAS in the paint on zipper sliders. The brand acted immediately, and new PFAS-free zippers were installed on all new products in 2024.
Popular PFAS-free products: High Coast Hydratic Trail Jacket, Expedition Pack Down Hoodie
Keen was an early leader in PFAS-free outdoor footwear, actively encouraging other footwear brands to join the movement. The company began its transition in 2014, removing PFAS from nearly 70% of products within the first year and eliminating it entirely by 2018. In addition, Keen compiled thousands of hours of work and knowledge from its PFAS elimination process into a document for other companies to consult as they pursue their own chemical reduction efforts.
Popular PFAS-free products: Targhee IV Waterproof, KS86 Trail Sneaker
Patagonia began its journey to remove PFAS from its products in 2015. That year, it began testing PFAS-free DWR treatments. During fall 2019, it launched its first products with its new, PFAS-free DWR, which it steadily implemented across its product lines. By 2023, 98% of Patagonia products were PFAS free, and in the spring of 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
While REI wasn’t the first brand to remove PFAS from its products, it made a huge impact on the outdoor industry’s progress by including PFAS-free chemistry as a criterion in its Product Impact Standards, which its more than 1,000 partner brands must comply with to sell gear at REI. These standards required that all cookware and textile products sold at REI be PFAS free by fall 2024. It gave 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
How to Find PFAS-Free Gear
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.
Caring for a PFAS-Free DWR
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.
Should You Get Rid of Your Gear that Contains PFAS?
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.
PFAS and Third-Party Certification Programs
Third-party organizations have played an important role in the outdoor industry’s transition away from PFAS. Take Bluesign, for example, a third-party system that ensures oversight of chemical use throughout the textile supply chain. In 2025, Bluesign enacted a ban on PFAS, with limited exemptions for essential uses. In 2026, it removed all remaining exemptions, ensuring that all Bluesign-approved materials and products are fully PFAS-free.
The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is another common certification indicating that textiles have been tested for and are free from over 1,000 harmful substances. Certified Oeko-Tex products are tested for fluorinated chemicals to ensure that your gear is free from intentionally added PFAS.
PFAS and PFC Terminology
Complex chemical names and vague wording 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 distinguishes PFAS added to products for functional properties, such as water repellency, from PFAS that 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.
These terms both refer to harmful forms of PFAS. Most brands phased out long-chain (8-carbon, or C8) PFAS many years ago, but in the process, many switched to short-chain (6-carbon, or C6) PFAS. At the time, short-chain PFAS were considered less harmful, but research later showed that C6 PFAS posed similar risks to C8 PFAS, prompting efforts to phase out all forms of PFAS.
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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