Arc'teryx · Synthetic Athletic Wear
Arc'teryx Men's Kyanite Lightweight Fleece Hoodie
Fleece likely has water-repellent coating, Arc'teryx silent on PFAS status.
This fleece has polyester with water-repellent coating finish. Arc'teryx does not disclose PFAS treatment or absence; water-repellent coating-treated apparel commonly uses PFAS.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester fleece with water-repellent coating finish
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Arc'teryx Men's Kyanite Fleece Hoodie is made of, ingredients and materials
This hoodie is polyester fleece, a synthetic polymer that resists moisture but requires chemical coatings to achieve water repellency (water-repellent coating finish). Arc'teryx does not publicly specify whether their water-repellent coating is fluorine-based (the PFAS concern) or fluorine-free. Polyester itself is stable in normal wear but can shed microfibers when washed, and the fleece nap (fuzzy surface) increases shedding risk compared to smooth synthetics. The hoodie likely contains no intentional flame retardants or heavy metal dyes given apparel standards, but the specific dye package is not disclosed.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Microfiber shedding (polyester fleece)
All polyester fleece sheds microfibers, especially during washing. The fuzzy surface of this product increases shedding rate compared to smooth polyester. Microfibers accumulate in water systems and are ingested by aquatic life; no direct health risk to the wearer, but environmental concern during product lifetime.
water-repellent coating durability and composition uncertainty
Arc'teryx does not disclose whether this hoodie uses fluorinated (PFAS-containing) or fluorine-free water-repellent coating. Fluorinated coatings are durable but may persist in the environment; they break down partially with washing and heat exposure. Without confirmation, assume fluorinated water-repellent coating is possible.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence of excessive formaldehyde use in Arc'teryx apparel. Modern polyester fleece production rarely requires formaldehyde-releasing agents for wrinkle resistance. Arc'teryx's quality standards suggest compliance with OEKO-TEX or similar limits, though they do not publicly certify this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Arc'teryx uses conventional commercial dyes; no recalls or reports of azo dye violations or heavy metal pigment contamination in their apparel. The dark/colored finishes of fleece hoodies do not inherently carry elevated risk at this brand level.
Source, FDA ↗Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony trioxide is used as a polyester catalyst in fiber production but is tightly bound in the polymer chain and not bioavailable during normal wear. No reports of leaching or health effects from Arc'teryx polyester garments; this is a category-wide non-concern for finished apparel.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Arc'teryx is a premium outdoor brand owned by Salomon (Amer Sports) with strong reputation for durability and quality control, but they do not publicly commit to PFAS elimination or publish detailed chemical composition for garments. Unlike some competitors (e.g., Patagonia, which has phased out fluorinated water-repellent coating), Arc'teryx remains silent on their water-repellent coating chemistry choices. No major safety recalls or chemical controversies are on record for this specific product line. Their lack of transparency is notable in a category where competitors increasingly disclose or eliminate PFAS.
How it compares in its category
Lightweight fleece hoodies span a wide safety range. Arc'teryx positions at the premium tier, which typically means better durability and lower microfiber shedding over time than budget alternatives. However, many premium brands now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating options (Patagonia, some North Face lines); Arc'teryx's silence suggests they may still use fluorinated water-repellent coating. Price and construction justify "care" rather than "skip," but it lacks the transparency advantage of PFAS-committed competitors at similar cost.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water with gentle detergent and air-dry to minimize microfiber release and preserve the water-repellent coating finish; avoid fabric softeners and high heat. Do not tumble-dry; heat degrades both the fleece and the water-repellent coating. Expect the water-repellent properties to fade after 20-30 washes depending on care; Arc'teryx does not advertise water-repellent coating reapplication guidance. If concerned about PFAS exposure, contact Arc'teryx directly to confirm water-repellent coating type, or consider a labeled PFAS-free fleece alternative (e.g., Patagonia Regulator or similar).
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Arc'teryx has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Arc'teryx Men's Kyanite Lightweight Fleece Hoodie?
- 100% polyester knit, no water-repellent treatment
- Heavy metals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- polyester/nylon blend, no specified water repellent finish
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Antimony in polyester
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- polyester blend knit
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Antimony in polyester
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore 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.