Atomic · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Atomic Alps Jacket
Skip until Atomic discloses water-repellent coating chemistry, waterproof ski jackets use PFAS.
Atomic's Alps Jacket is a waterproof ski shell almost certainly using water-repellent coating finish, a common PFAS source. Atomic provides no public water-repellent coating chemistry disclosure.
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Material
Likely polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Atomic Alps Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
Atomic Alps jackets are constructed from polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the outer shell. water-repellent coating treatments on performance outerwear historically rely on PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to achieve water shedding without reducing breathability. The polyester base itself is stable, but the chemical treatment is the primary concern for this product class.
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.
PFAS
Standard for this product class absent brand disclosure otherwise. PFAS bioaccumulates in body tissues and is associated with liver effects, immune suppression, and thyroid disruption in epidemiological studies. Laundry and perspiration can leach trace amounts over time.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester outerwear sometimes uses formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or dimensional stability. Atomic does not list formaldehyde-free certification. Exposure is minimal during wear but highest during initial manufacturing off-gassing in storage.
Source, ATSDR ↗VOC off-gassing from synthetic coatings
Polyester with chemical water-repellent coating and adhesive treatments may release volatile organic compounds when new or after dry cleaning. Airing out the jacket for 24-48 hours in ventilated space before first wear reduces inhalation risk.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in polyester
No specific recalls or testing reports for Atomic Alps jackets. Polyester dyes can include azo compounds, which break down under UV/sweat to aromatic amines (some carcinogenic). Risk is low with reputable ski apparel manufacturers using quality dye lots, but no brand certification was found.
Microplastic shedding
No published data on Atomic Alps jacket fiber loss. Polyester outerwear does shed microfibers with washing; laundry bags or lint traps reduce aquatic release but do not eliminate it. Durability design (reinforced seams, quality construction) is unknown for this model.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Atomic (owned by Amer Sports) has not publicly disclosed the specific chemistry of water-repellent coating coatings used in its ski and snowboard lines, nor has the company committed to PFAS-free alternatives in official statements. No major recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this jacket model. However, the brand's silence on water-repellent coating sourcing during an industry-wide shift toward fluorine-free options signals lower transparency than leading competitors like Arc'teryx and Patagonia.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream ski jackets ($200-500 range) still use legacy PFAS-based water-repellent coating; Atomic Alps sits in this middle tier. Premium brands increasingly offer fluorine-free or PFAS-disclosed options at similar or slightly higher prices. Budget and mid-market jackets typically do not disclose water-repellent coating type, making Atomic's silence unremarkable but not a selling point for safety-conscious buyers.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cold water with gentle detergent; avoid fabric softeners and machine drying on high heat, which can degrade the water-repellent coating. Re-treat with fluorine-free water-repellent coating spray every 1-2 seasons rather than relying solely on factory coating. Store dry in a cool closet away from direct sunlight. If water-repellent coating treatment wears out noticeably (water no longer beads), replacement spray presents lower concern than repeatedly laundering untreated polyester in performance conditions.
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
- Atomic has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More ski & snowboard jackets 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.