Softshell Jackets, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. None grade Good or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.
Start here
The best non-toxic softshell jackets, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Patagonia
Men's R2 TechFace Hoody
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating treatment
Lower concern, Patagonia's public PFAS phase-out and explicit Teflon-type coating-free claim support this choice.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Men's Alta Vista Jacket
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
PFAS
Moderate concern
water-repellent coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Avoid or ask The North Face for water-repellent coating details; PFAS-free options exist elsewhere.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Gamma Lightweight Jacket Men's
Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Avoid or contact Arc'teryx directly, PFAS status in water-repellent coating finish is undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Beta SL Jacket for Men Black Sapphire / M
Nylon shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Avoid or ask Arc'teryx directly, waterproof jackets typically use PFAS-based water-repellent coating with no brand transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Gamma Lightweight Hoody Men's
Polyester/nylon blend with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
High concern
water-repellent coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Moderate concern
Polyester heat sensitivity
Limited concern
Assume legacy fluorocarbon treatment unless Arc'teryx proves otherwise; brand doesn't disclose water-repellent coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's R2 TechFace Jacket
Polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
High concern
Antimony in polyester fiber
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding during washing
Moderate concern
Moderate PFAS risk from water-repellent coating; Patagonia doesn't disclose composition or PFAS-free status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody
Polyester ripstop with water-repellent coating finish (nylon stretch side)
water-repellent coating (fluorocarbon-based or alternative)
High concern
Polyester microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Nylon stretch panel degradation
Limited concern
Moderate PFAS risk from likely water-repellent coating; Patagonia is silent on chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Salomon
Men's RS Softshell Jacket
Polyamide softshell with unspecified water-repellent coating
PFAS
Moderate concern
Polyamide fiber degradation under heat
Limited concern
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from membrane
Limited concern
Moderate PFAS concern due to waterproof treatment with undisclosed chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Salomon
Men's Salomon Outpeak Softshell Hooded Jacket
Polyester/nylon blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
High concern
VOC off-gassing from adhesives or laminate layers
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and unknown residual chemistry
Moderate concern
Avoid until Salomon reveals water-repellent coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Salomon
Men's Equipe Softshell Jacket
Polyester softshell with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
PFAS
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and particulate shedding
Limited concern
Avoid until Salomon clarifies water-repellent coating chemistry, softshell waterproofing commonly uses PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Salomon
Men's Salomon Sense Aero Wind Jacket
Nylon/polyester shell with water-resistant treatment (water-repellent coating)
PFAS
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and microfiber release
Limited concern
Avoid unless Salomon discloses water-repellent coating chemistry, typical wind jackets use legacy PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Salomon
Men's Mountain Flex Hybrid Jacket
Hybrid nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating
water-repellent coating chemistry (fluorocarbon vs. alternatives)
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding from synthetic blend
High concern
Avoid until Salomon discloses or switches to PFAS-free water-repellent coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Salomon
Men's Shkout Fly Windbreaker
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish, likely fluorocarbon-based
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
VOC off-gassing from finishes
Limited concern
Avoid until Salomon discloses water-repellent coating chemistry, windbreakers typically use PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Men's Ascender Softshell Jacket
Softshell fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
High concern
Fragrance or skin irritants from water-repellent coating application
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication necessity
Moderate concern
Avoid until Columbia reveals water-repellent coating chemistry; softshell jackets commonly use PFAS-based water treatments.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Men's Tall Heights III Hooded Softshell Jacket
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Limited concern
VOC off-gassing from coating and adhesives
Limited concern
Avoid until Columbia discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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