Carhartt Men's Storm Defender Relaxed Fit Lightweight Packable Jacket
water-repellent coating treatment likely contains PFAS; Carhartt discloses nothing.
This jacket has a water-repellent finish typical of outdoor apparel. Carhartt does not publicly disclose PFAS absence or use, making the water-repellent coating chemistry unknown.
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Material
polyester/nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
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.
PFAS
Standard fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments on polyester/nylon jackets commonly contain PFAS compounds. Carhartt provides no disclosure, so PFAS presence is not confirmed but is typical for this product class and finish type. Skin contact and potential migration to sweat are possible routes of exposure.
Source: ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is a catalyst used in polyester production and can remain in trace amounts in the finished fiber. Carhartt does not test or disclose antimony levels. Risk is low during normal wear but slightly elevated if the fabric is bleached or heavily laundered over years.
Coating degradation and leaching
As the water-repellent coating wears over time (washing, abrasion, UV), the finish becomes less effective and may shed microparticles. These particles may contain PFAS residues. No data exists on Carhartt's specific coating durability or particle composition.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes (color fastness)
No recalls or formal warnings exist for Carhartt jackets related to azo dye contamination. If the jacket uses standard reactive or disperse dyes (common for polyester), regulated azo dyes should not be present, but Carhartt does not certify this.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde is not typically used in water-repellent coating or polyester/nylon finishes for technical jackets. This hazard is not established for this product category or brand.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This jacket is polyester/nylon blended shell with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the outer surface. water-repellent coating coatings are designed to shed water without blocking breathability, but most commercial water-repellent coating treatments contain fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or older perfluorinated legacy chemicals. The polyester base itself is not inherently hazardous, but the water-repellent coating finish is the chemical concern here. Nylon and polyester do not off-gas formaldehyde or volatile organics at normal wearing temperatures, so the base fabric risk is low.
The brand's record and disclosure
Carhartt has not publicly committed to PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatments or disclosed which water-repellent chemistry it uses in its storm-defender line. The brand has no widely known certifications for chemical transparency (such as Oeko-Tex, Bluesign, or GOTS) in this product line. Carhartt markets durability and workwear performance, which has historically prioritized function over chemical disclosure. This silence is notable because many competitors in the technical apparel space now specify PFAS-free or fluorine-free water-repellent coating alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-range technical jackets with water-repellent coating finishes carry similar PFAS concerns unless explicitly labeled otherwise. Brands like Patagonia and The North Face have committed to phasing out PFAS in water-repellent coating treatments, though full transition timelines remain incomplete. Carhartt's positioning as a workwear brand (rather than outdoor sportswear) means it faces less market pressure for chemical transparency. For a casual packable jacket at this price point, it is typical in its chemical profile, not worse or better, but the lack of disclosure is a differentiator.
If you buy it
Wash the jacket before first wear in cool water to potentially reduce surface chemical levels, though this will not eliminate PFAS in the water-repellent coating. Avoid high-heat drying or ironing; air dry only, as heat can degrade the nylon and potentially alter the water-repellent coating finish. Do not dry clean, as solvents may interact with the coating. Replace the jacket or have the water-repellent coating reapplied professionally every 2-3 years if heavy use damages water-repellency; reapplication will reintroduce PFAS or require you to specify a PFAS-free alternative at that time.
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
- Carhartt has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.