All 15 softshell jackets we scored fail our PFAS screen
All 15 softshell jackets PFAS Authority has graded score below its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, as of October 2026.
Every grade below is built from published materials, ingredient lists, certifications and brand disclosures, scored on one public rubric and ranked best-graded first. Each score links to the full breakdown of what earned it, and the numbers across the whole dataset are published too.
Are softshell jackets non-toxic?
None of the 15 softshell jackets we graded clear our screen. Non-toxic is not a defined or regulated term, so what we can tell you is what our graders recorded. Beyond PFAS, the hazards found or left unruled-out on softshell jackets in this category are microplastics, VOCs and off-gassing, formaldehyde, undisclosed fragrance.
Why Patagonia Men's R2 TechFace Hoody grades highest here, and why that is not a pass
Every grade on this page is one sum. A category starts from a baseline, each disclosed material or coating adds risk points, and each thing the brand or a third party has published takes them away. Below is that sum for the winner, then for 1 product it beats, so you can see exactly where the 25 points between the top and the bottom of this softshell jackets ranking come from. Nothing in this category reaches our 70 point pass mark, so this is the shape of the field rather than a recommendation.
Top graded, and still below our pass mark
Made of Polyester shell with water-repellent coating treatment.
- +35Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment. Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
- +30Category baseline. The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
- -10Brand-stated PFAS-free. The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
55risk points in total, which is a grade of 45
What the grade does not fix. It still carries one risk factor, Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment, and our graders recorded 3 other hazards on it. See the full breakdown.
What it still grades above, and why
What puts it behind. No PFAS disclosure, +15 points. No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product. The top-graded product carries no such factor.
Made of Nylon shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment.
- +35Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
- +30Category baseline
- +15No PFAS disclosure
80risk points, a grade of 20
No product on this page was physically tested by us. Every number above comes from published materials, ingredient and coating disclosures, certifications and brand statements, scored on one public rubric. Formulations change without notice, so check the current product listing before buying.
What to watch for in softshell jackets
Beyond the PFAS grade, these are the things our graders recorded on the 15 softshell jackets in this category. We assess from materials, brand statements and published research. We do not lab-test.
- Microplastics
Plastic fragments small enough to shed from a product into food, water or air without anyone seeing it.
Found on 5 of these softshell jackets. Plausible but unconfirmed on 4 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. EPA
- VOCs and off-gassing
Volatile compounds that evaporate out of a material at room temperature, which is what a new product smell is.
Plausible but unconfirmed on 4 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. EPA
- Formaldehyde
A preservative and resin ingredient that is also released slowly by a group of chemicals used in its place.
Plausible but unconfirmed on 2 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. NCI
- Undisclosed fragrance
A single word on a label that can stand for dozens of undeclared ingredients, protected as trade secret.
Plausible but unconfirmed on 1 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. FDA
The safest softshell jackets we graded, lowest PFAS risk first
Nothing in this category clears our buy threshold yet. That is the finding, not a gap.
See PFAS-free softshell jackets on AmazonWhat the evidence says about PFAS in softshell jackets
California has banned regulated PFAS in most new textiles since January 2025, but gives outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions until January 2028, requiring a Made with PFAS chemicals disclosure in the meantime. Colorado has required disclosure on such apparel since January 2025, and Maine will require the same disclosure from January 2029. The European Commission adopted a restriction in 2024 banning PFHxA in consumer textiles such as rain jackets. In testing released in 2022, the advocacy group Toxic-Free Future found PFAS in 9 of the 13 jackets it tested that were labeled stain or water resistant.
- Regulatory filingCalifornia’s AB 1817 has banned regulated PFAS in new textile articles since January 1, 2025, but does not apply the ban to outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions until January 1, 2028, which until then must carry a Made with PFAS chemicals disclosure. California Legislature ↗
- Regulatory filingMaine law bars selling outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions with intentionally added PFAS from January 1, 2029 unless it carries a Made with PFAS chemicals disclosure, including online. Maine Legislature ↗
- Regulatory filingColorado’s public health department says state law has required disclosure on outdoor clothing for severe wet conditions with intentionally added PFAS since January 1, 2025. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ↗
- Regulatory filingThe European Commission adopted a restriction in September 2024 that bans the sale and use of PFHxA in consumer textiles such as rain jackets, with transitional periods depending on the use. European Commission ↗
- Independent testToxic-Free Future, an advocacy group, reported detecting PFAS in 15 of 20 outdoor apparel items labeled stain or water resistant, including 9 of 13 jackets. Toxic-Free Future ↗
- Government sourceA May 2023 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency report says PTFE, especially its expanded form ePTFE, has been used since the 1970s to make porous waterproof membranes for apparel and outdoor gear. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.
Questions people ask about softshell jackets
The softshell jackets we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first, with the reason.
- 20Bad
- 20Bad
- 20Bad
What we check on softshell jackets
- Formaldehyde / VOCs. Off-gassing chemicals from some finishes, textiles, and pressed wood. ATSDR
- Endocrine disruptors. Chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormone system. NIEHS
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
Common questions about PFAS in softshell jackets
Are softshell jackets PFAS free?
All 15 softshell jackets PFAS Authority has graded score below its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, as of October 2026. The lowest graded is Arc'Teryx Beta SL Jacket for Men Black Sapphire / M at 20 out of 100.
Are softshell jackets non-toxic?
None of the 15 softshell jackets we graded clear our screen. Non-toxic is not a defined or regulated term, so what we can tell you is what our graders recorded. Beyond PFAS, the hazards found or left unruled-out on softshell jackets in this category are microplastics, VOCs and off-gassing, formaldehyde, undisclosed fragrance.
Which softshell jackets should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Arc'Teryx Beta SL Jacket for Men Black Sapphire / M at 20, Arc'teryx Gamma Lightweight Hoody Men's at 20, Arc'teryx Gamma Lightweight Jacket Men's at 20. The problem with the first is that avoid or ask Arc'teryx directly, waterproof jackets typically use PFAS-based DWR with no brand transparency.
How can you tell if softshell jackets contain PFAS?
In this category we check for formaldehyde / VOCs, endocrine disruptors. Off-gassing chemicals from some finishes, textiles, and pressed wood. Language like stain resistant, water repellent or easy release usually means fluorinated chemistry even when PFAS is never printed on the box.
Do you lab test softshell jackets?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
More clothing and outdoor categories we have graded
Same rubric, same scale. These are the categories closest to softshell jackets.
- Best non-toxic outdoor furniture cushion protectants357 graded
- Best non-toxic tents323 graded
- Best non-toxic ski jackets217 graded
- Best non-toxic ski wax210 graded
- Best non-toxic stain-resistant jeans15 graded
- Best non-toxic backpacks15 graded
- Best non-toxic fishing gear15 graded
- Best non-toxic hiking pants15 graded
Get the graded list, free.
The products we score each week, and the best-graded alternative in every category.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Does a particular brand of softshell jackets have PFAS?
Brands we grade across the catalogue
Everything we have scored from these brands, not just softshell jackets.
We also wrote this up at length. PFAS in Softshell Jackets, Which Brands Grade Best and Worst
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 15 softshell jackets.