Carhartt Review, Is Carhartt Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 4 graded products, Carhartt averages Bad (20/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Carhartt
Men's Loose Fit Heavyweight Storm Defender Jacket
Cotton/poly blend with water-repellent coating water-resistant coating
PFAS
Carhartt does not disclose whether this jacket uses legacy PFOA/PFOS or newer short-chain…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cotton-poly blends often receive formaldehyde-based resin treatments for wrinkle…
Azo dyes in synthetic colorants
The dark colors typical of Carhartt workwear may use azo dyes, which can release…
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
water-repellent coating coatings on textiles naturally degrade through washing and…
Heavy workwear likely treated with water-repellent coating; coating details undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carhartt
Men's Midweight Waterproof Rainstorm Jacket
cotton/polyester blend with waterproof coating
PFAS
Waterproof textile coatings historically rely on PFAS chemistry. Carhartt's lack of…
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
As the waterproof layer breaks down over time (especially with heat exposure or…
Waterproof jacket with unknown water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carhartt
Men's Storm Defender Relaxed Fit Lightweight Packable Jacket
polyester/nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Standard fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments on polyester/nylon jackets…
Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is a catalyst used in polyester production and can remain in trace…
Coating degradation and leaching
As the water-repellent coating wears over time (washing, abrasion, UV), the finish…
water-repellent coating treatment likely contains PFAS; Carhartt discloses nothing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carhartt
Men's Storm Defender Shoreline Jacket
polyester with water-repellent coating water-resistant coating
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating composition
Carhartt does not disclose whether the Storm Defender water-repellent coating uses…
Popular outdoor brand does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry; PFAS risk unconfirmed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →