Arc'teryx · Synthetic Athletic Wear
Arc'teryx Men's Konseal SL Pullover Hoody
water-repellent coating-treated technical hoody, waterproofing chemistry undisclosed.
This hoody uses nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment standard in technical apparel. Arc'teryx does not publicly disclose PFAS use or avoidance.
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Material
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
PFAS
water-repellent coating treatment chemistry undisclosed by Arc'teryx. Standard industry water-repellent coating formulations have historically used PFOA or PFOS; newer GenX and other alternatives are increasingly used but not confirmed for this product. Washing and wear can leach residues.
Source: ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon and polyester production commonly uses formaldehyde-based resins for crease resistance and fiber stabilization. Residual formaldehyde on finished garments is not reported specifically for Arc'teryx but is a known risk in synthetic technical apparel; off-gassing is minimal under normal wearing but increases with heat exposure or washing.
Source: ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Technical apparel is routinely dyed with azo-class and other synthetic dyes. While safety-regulated azo dyes are permitted in most markets, some regional variants may carry heavy metal mordants (lead, chromium). Arc'teryx does not publish dye sourcing or testing; risk is standard for the category but unconfirmed for this product.
Microplastics
Polyester blended garments shed microplastics during washing and wear. This is inherent to synthetic fiber composition and not specific to water-repellent coating treatment. Microplastic shedding from technical hoodies is documented in lifecycle assessments but not quantified for Arc'teryx specifically.
Source: EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is sometimes used as a catalyst in polyester production. Finished garments typically retain negligible residual antimony, and no specific health risk has been reported for wearing polyester apparel. No recalls or advisories exist for Arc'teryx hoodies on this basis.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Konseal SL is constructed from nylon and polyester blended with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment applied to the outer shell. water-repellent coating coatings are the primary PFAS exposure pathway in technical outerwear, though Arc'teryx does not publicly disclose whether their treatment uses legacy PFOA-class compounds or newer alternatives. Nylon and polyester fibers themselves can carry residual formaldehyde from manufacturing resins and may be dyed with azo-class colorants, which is standard across the technical apparel industry but not highlighted in consumer materials for this product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Arc'teryx has not published a public PFAS policy or water-repellent coating chemistry specification for consumer products as of available record. The company does not list third-party certifications such as Bluesign or GOTS on the product label. This silence on water-repellent formulation is common across premium technical brands but leaves end-users without transparency on PFAS risk profile. Arc'teryx's parent company (Salomon Group, owned by Amer Sports) has made general sustainability commitments but has not committed to phasing specific fluorinated chemistries in apparel.
How it compares in its category
water-repellent coating-treated technical hoodies are the market norm for waterproofing without membrane laminates; most competitors (The North Face, Patagonia, Salewa) similarly do not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry on consumer labels. Patagonia publishes stricter water-repellent coating standards excluding PFOA but does not guarantee PFOS or GenX alternatives on all garments. Arc'teryx's pricing and performance tier suggest materials quality similar to peer brands, but lack of public disclosure puts it at the lower end of transparency compared to Patagonia's stated water-repellent coating policy.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with mild detergent; avoid hot water and machine drying, which can accelerate water-repellent coating degradation and release residues. Inspect seams and fabric condition annually; reapply water-repellent coating treatments only with manufacturer-approved products to avoid introducing uncontrolled chemistries. Do not tumble dry or expose to high heat, as this stresses polyester and can volatilize residual processing chemicals. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have young children, consider contacting Arc'teryx directly to request water-repellent coating specification data before purchase.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Arc'teryx has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More synthetic athletic wear grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.