Cannondale · Cycling Rain Jackets
Cannondale 2015 Men's Cloudburst Cycling Rain Jacket 3M315X/BLK
2015 rain jacket; water-repellent coating likely PFAS-based, no disclosure.
This cycling rain jacket uses a water-repellent water-repellent coating finish typical of that era. Cannondale provides no PFAS information; older rain apparel commonly contained PFAS-based coatings.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating, 3M lining
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Heavy metals
Black nylon jackets may use azo dyes, which can release aromatic amines under certain conditions (sweat, heat, UV). No specific testing data for this model; risk is low for casual cycling wear but possible with prolonged contact or high perspiration.
Source: FDA ↗Microfiber shedding during laundering
All synthetic textiles shed microfibers when washed. Nylon jackets release small amounts of plastic fibers into wastewater. Using a microfiber catch bag or washing less frequently reduces environmental release but does not eliminate the hazard.
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication risks
The 3M water-repellent coating will lose water repellency over time. Reapplication products often contain PFAS or other fluorochemicals; replacing the jacket or accepting reduced water resistance avoids re-exposure.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or reports of formaldehyde-releasing dyes specific to Cannondale nylon jackets. Nylon textile dyes are typically azo types but not flagged for formaldehyde risk in this product line.
Source: ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester components
This jacket is primarily nylon, not polyester, so antimony contamination is not a relevant concern.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This jacket uses nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating and 3M laminated lining. Nylon itself is a stable synthetic polymer with no known hazard profile for typical wear. The water-repellent coating is the concern: in 2015, most major brands including 3M used PFAS-based fluorochemicals for water repellency because they were inexpensive and effective. The 3M lining provides breathability and thermal comfort but does not add chemical risk if intact.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cannondale (owned by Dorel Sports) has not publicly committed to PFAS phase-out or disclosed water-repellent coating chemistry for historical products. No major safety controversies specific to this jacket model are recorded. The brand remains silent on PFAS use, which is typical for cycling apparel makers but suggests no proactive testing or transparency during the 2015 period when this jacket was made.
How it compares in its category
Most cycling rain jackets from 2015 used similar PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings as the industry standard. Modern alternatives (post-2020) increasingly feature fluorine-free or paraffin-based water repellents, though performance trade-offs exist. This jacket is neither worse nor better than peers from its era, but it is now outdated by current standards. Buying used examples avoids manufacturing impact but still carries the original coating's PFAS residue.
If you buy it
Wash gently in cool water with minimal detergent; hot water may degrade the water-repellent coating prematurely and release microfibers. Avoid heavy-duty machine washing and bleach. Do not dry-clean, as solvents can strip the coating. Expect the water-repellent finish to diminish after 5 to 10 washes; re-treatment products exist but often reintroduce PFAS. If you own this jacket, regular but infrequent washing extends its life and limits PFAS leaching into waterways.
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
- Cannondale has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Cycling Rain Jackets
Mens Balance Made In Usa Cycling Jacket Windbreaker Water Resistant
Synthetic fabric with water-resistant water-repellent coating, unspecified
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fabric
Limited concern
Skip until New Balance discloses water-repellent coating treatment details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More cycling rain 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.