Atomic · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Atomic Men's Jacket
Skip until Atomic discloses water-repellent coating chemistry, waterproof jackets use PFAS.
Atomic Men's Jacket is a technical piece that almost certainly carries a water-repellent coating. Atomic won't disclose the chemical composition, and most legacy water-repellent coating contains PFAS.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon/polyester shell with waterproof treatment (water-repellent coating unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Atomic Men's Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
The Atomic Men's Jacket uses a nylon/polyester blend shell with an unspecified water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. Nylon and polyester themselves are stable synthetics with low leaching risk under normal wear. However, the water-repellent coating finish is the weak point, waterproof ski jackets almost universally rely on PFAS-based coatings (commonly C8 or newer C6 chemistry) to achieve water shedding and breathability. Without Atomic's disclosure of their specific water-repellent coating chemistry, the jacket should be assumed to contain PFAS.
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
Waterproof jackets rely on PFAS chemistry; Atomic's silence on water-repellent coating type means C8, C6, or other PFAS variants are probable. PFAS accumulates in blood and organs; exposure thresholds remain under investigation.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
As water-repellent coating wears or delamination occurs, microscopic polymer fragments may shed into washing water. This is inherent to all coated synthetics and accelerated by heat (hot water, dryers). Avoid high-heat care.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon and polyester production can involve formaldehyde-releasing resins in finishing; Atomic does not report violations, and modern mills typically minimize this. Risk is low but not zero in absence of third-party testing disclosure.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes (if colored shell)
Ski jacket shells are often solid or subtle colors. Azo dyes are restricted under EU/REACH but still present in some non-EU sourcing. No recalls reported for Atomic apparel; likely compliant.
VOC off-gassing from adhesives in seams
Taped and glued seams in technical jackets can emit volatile compounds initially. Hang unworn jacket in ventilated space for 24-48 hours before first wear; risk diminishes rapidly.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Atomic (owned by Amer Sports) has not publicly disclosed its water-repellent coating chemistry or committed to PFAS phase-out in apparel as of available records. The brand maintains silent stance on PFAS in waterproof gear, which is a significant transparency gap in an era when competitors (e.g., Patagonia, some Arc'teryx lines) now advertise PFAS-free alternatives. No major recalls or formaldehyde/azo dye scandals are on record for Atomic jackets, suggesting baseline compliance with fiber content laws.
How it compares in its category
Ski and snowboard jacket market remains PFAS-dependent, even mid-tier brands rarely disclose or avoid PFAS in water-repellent coating. Atomic sits mid-market; premium alternatives (Patagonia, some Mammut lines) now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating options at higher cost. Budget brands offer no advantage here. The real differentiator is whether a brand will commit to transparency and phase-out; Atomic has not.
If you buy it
Launder in cold water with mild detergent; avoid fabric softeners and bleach, which degrade water-repellent coating faster and trigger re-treatment cycles (each re-application risks additional PFAS exposure). Never dry-clean. Store dry in a breathable bag to prevent mold. water-repellent coating will degrade after 50-100 washes; do not attempt home re-treatment with consumer products, which often contain higher PFAS loads. Replace when water no longer beads off the shell, signaling end of jacket life cycle.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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.
Better-graded alternatives in Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Allbirds
Jackets & Coats Allbirds Full Zip Wool Blend Puffer Jacket Women Size Small
- Wool blend with synthetic fill (likely polyester)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating composition
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Allbirds
Jackets & Coats Allbirds Men's Trino Puffer Jacket Full Zip Wool Blend Forest Green Coat Size Sm
- wool blend (natural fiber dominant)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment - undisclosed chemistry
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Allbirds
NWT Womens Medium Green Natural Run Mid Layer 1/4 Zip Jacket
- Merino wool blend (natural fiber)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and synthetic dye residue
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
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.