Descente · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Descente Finder Insulated Jacket 2026
Skip until brand discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or switches to PFAS-free treatments.
This insulated jacket uses a water-repellent shell coating typical of winter apparel, but Brondell makes no public disclosure about PFAS avoidance or chemical transparency. Without lab testing or a verified PFAS-free claim, this jacket carries the standard risk profile of conventionally treated outdoor wear.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic insulation with water-repellent coating-treated shell (polyester/nylon likely)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Descente Finder Insulated Jacket 2026 is made of, ingredients and materials
The Descente Finder uses a synthetic insulation layer (likely polyester) paired with a polyester/nylon shell treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating treatments historically rely on long-chain PFAS compounds, which bind to the shell and migrate into sweat, skin contact, and eventually wastewater. Descente has not published its water-repellent coating chemistry or confirmed use of PFAS-free alternatives, making the specific fluorochemical profile unknown to consumers.
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
Shell is almost certainly treated with fluorinated water repellent; Descente's non-disclosure and lack of PFAS-free certification strongly suggest long-chain PFAS or unspecified fluorochemicals remain in use.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyester microfiber shedding
Synthetic shell and insulation can shed microplastics when washed or worn, particularly if the water-repellent coating degrades; cumulative exposure via inhalation and ingestion during extended use.
Coating degradation and leaching
Water-repellent coating coatings degrade over time and with washing, potentially releasing residual fluorochemicals or other finish compounds into sweat and skin; degradation rate depends on unknown chemistry and wash practices.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No specific recalls or testing results for Descente Finder are on record; however, mass-produced polyester insulated jackets may contain formaldehyde-based finishes or reactive dyes unless certified (Bluesign, OEKO-TEX). Unknown for this model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony is sometimes used as a catalyst in polyester production. No specific testing or contamination data for Descente Finder is publicly available; risk is typical for synthetic insulated jackets unless supplier certifications rule it out.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Descente (owned by Goldwin Inc.) has not published a public commitment to PFAS phase-out or disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry it uses in current insulated jackets. No third-party certifications (e.g., Bluesign, GOTS) for this model are documented. The brand's silence on fluorochemical content contrasts with competitors (Arc'teryx, Patagonia) who have moved toward or committed to PFAS-free alternatives, suggesting low transparency priority.
How it compares in its category
Mid-tier ski jackets typically use water-repellent coating-treated shells; however, brands increasingly disclose their fluorochemical source or certify PFAS-free alternatives. The Finder jacket offers no documented advantage (waterproofing, breathability, durability) that would justify its PFAS exposure over verified PFAS-free competitors like Patagonia's Snowdrifter or Arc'teryx's Beta line. This places it in the lower transparency tier of its category.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cold water with minimal detergent to reduce fluorochemical leaching into wastewater and skin absorption. Avoid high-heat drying (tumble dry on low or air dry) to prevent synthetic fiber shedding and potential degradation of the water-repellent coating. Replace the jacket if the water-beading fails significantly (typically 3-5 years of regular use); avoid re-treatment with unknown fluorochemical products. Consider this a temporary solution only if no PFAS-free alternatives meet your needs.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Descente 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.