Snow Jackets with PFC-Free DWR
Stay warm and dry on the slopes without the harmful chemicals
Updated for 2021!
A lot of weather-proof jackets contain harmful forever chemicals otherwise known as PFC or PFAS. That’s why we found the best winter and ski jackets that are waterproof with PFC-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) for your next trip to the mountains! DWR is a coating added to fabrics to make them water-resistant. The traditional DWR treatments were made of PFAS chemicals that wear off over time, leaving these chemicals to pollute the great outdoors and wherever else you are. In fact most jackets will say that they need re-treatment at some point in their life. That’s why we are so excited that the outdoor industry has started to use DWR without PFAS chemicals. Usually you will see them labeled as PFC-free DWR. A couple of years ago, there were almost no jackets without PFCs, so we are happy to have found so many PFC-free DWR jackets. These jackets will keep you nice and warm without these pesky forever chemicals coatings slowly wearing off.
But, there is something a little bit tricky. We can’t say that all of these jackets are completely PFC-free. Durable water repellents are commonly used in conjunction with a waterproof membrane, which is basically a waterproof fabric. Waterproof membranes are oftentimes made with PFAS (PFC) chemicals like Teflon, the most famous of which is GORE-TEX. While GORE-TEX has recently announced that they have a PFC free waterproof membrane in the works, they have not committed to phasing out their current PFC materials. We note below which jackets still use a GORE-TEX membrane and urge companies and consumers to push for completely PFC-free products in the future. If you would like a jacket completely free of PFCs, please read the notes below.
a) The North Face Powderflo Jacket Women’s and Powderflo Jacket Men’s
b) Marmot Spire Jacket (This jacket has a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) but is still made with a GORE-TEX membrane that is made of PTFE, aka Teflon.)
c) Paramo clothing Women’s Jackets and Men’s Jackets
d) Picture Women’s Weekend Jacket and Men’s Styler Jacket
e) Fjallraven Bergtagen Eco-Shell Jacket Women’s and Bergtagen Eco-Shell Jacket Men’s
f) Jack Wolfskin Winter Jackets
g) REI Co-op First Chair Jacket (This jacket has a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) but is still made with a GORE-TEX membrane that is made of PTFE, aka Teflon.)
h) Burton Jackets (This jacket has a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) but is still made with a GORE-TEX membrane that is made of PTFE, aka Teflon.)
i) Houdini Women’s Rollercoaster Jacket and Men’s Weekend Jacket (Bluesign®-certified, PFC free membrane and PFC free DWR)