39Poor

Duluth Trading Review, Is Duluth Trading 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 7 graded products, Duluth Trading averages Poor (39/100). 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

Duluth Trading Company Plus Heirloom Gardening Apron Smock

Duluth Trading

Company Plus Heirloom Gardening Apron Smock

Cotton canvas apron, no waterproof or stain-resistant coating disclosed

PFAS Grade65Good
Good

Lower risk from plain canvas apron with no water or stain treatment.

Risky category by default

Duluth Trading Company Makers Waist Apron

Duluth Trading

Company Makers Waist Apron

cotton canvas with standard stitching

PFAS Grade65Good
Good

Lower-risk utility apron; standard canvas, no waterproofing or stain treatments.

Risky category by default

Duluth Trading Company Fire Hose Everyday Apron

Duluth Trading

Company Fire Hose Everyday Apron

100% cotton canvas (Fire Hose fabric)

PFAS Grade65Good
Good

Lower risk from untreated cotton canvas, though brand transparency is absent.

Risky category by default

Duluth Trading Company Makers Apron

Duluth Trading

Company Makers Apron

cotton canvas with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish

PFAS Grade20Bad
Overall Grade8Bad
♾️

PFAS

Cotton canvas aprons with water-repellent coating coatings are commonly treated with…

70
🫧

Coating degradation and fiber shedding

As the water-repellent coating finish wears with use and washing, the coating may degrade…

70
⛏️

Leaching from water-repellent coating finish during washing

Water-repellent finishes on fabric can release compounds into wash water, particularly on…

70

Hold off until Duluth clarifies water-repellent coating chemistry; PFAS treatment is likely.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Duluth Trading Company Best Damn Fire Hose Work Apron

Duluth Trading

Company Best Damn Fire Hose Work Apron

Canvas/fire hose fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment

PFAS Grade20Bad
Overall Grade12Bad
⚠️

water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) Treatment Chemistry (Fluorinated or Non-Fluorinated)

The apron carries an applied water-repellent coating finish to repel liquids. Duluth…

70
🫧

Wear and Tear Release of Fibers or Coating Particles

As a daily-use work apron, the fabric will experience friction and wear. Pilling…

70

Skip or request PFAS details from Duluth; water-repellent coating-treated workwear typically uses PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Duluth Trading Company BBQ Grilling Apron

Duluth Trading

Company BBQ Grilling Apron

cotton/poly blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish

PFAS Grade20Bad
Overall Grade12Bad
🍳

water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry

water-repellent coating finishes on cotton-poly blends historically use PFAS-based…

70
⚠️

Residual reactive chemicals on untreated fabric

water-repellent coating-treated textiles may carry residual unreacted precursor chemicals…

70

Avoid until Duluth discloses water-repellent coating ingredients; traditional finishes often use PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

BBQ Grilling Apron - Green Onesize - Duluth Trading Company

Duluth Trading

BBQ Grilling Apron - Green Onesize - Duluth Trading Company

Cotton/polyester blend with water-repellent water-repellent coating finish

PFAS Grade20Bad
Overall Grade12Bad
♾️

PFAS

Water-repellent treatments on cotton-polyester blends commonly use fluorochemicals…

70
⚠️

Antimony in polyester fibers

Polyester production may use antimony trioxide as a catalyst; residual antimony can leach…

70

Moderate PFAS risk from standard water-repellent coating; Duluth provides limited chemistry detail.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →