PFAS20/ 100Bad
Overall0/ 100Bad
Gordini AquaBloc Down Gauntlet II Gloves

Gordini · Waterproof Winter Gloves

Gordini AquaBloc Down Gauntlet II Gloves

Bad

High PFAS risk; AquaBloc treatment composition unknown and undisclosed.

Verdict · SkipHigh PFAS risk from undisclosed AquaBloc coating; no other major hazards reported for down/synthetic blend, but brand transparency is poor.

Gordini doesn't disclose what coating or water-repellent treatment AquaBloc uses. Waterproof apparel typically relies on PFAS-based finishes without transparent disclosure.

The better-graded swap

Patagonia R4 Yulex Regulator Three Finger Mitts

Patagonia

Patagonia R4 Yulex Regulator Three Finger Mitts

90/100 safety

90Excellent

Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

Down-filled gloves with AquaBloc waterproof membrane

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

What Gordini AquaBloc Down Gauntlet II Gloves is made of, ingredients and materials

Gordini AquaBloc Down Gauntlet II gloves combine down insulation with a proprietary waterproof membrane called AquaBloc. The down provides warmth and loft; the membrane blocks water. The critical unknown is the exact chemistry of AquaBloc, which is not publicly disclosed. Waterproof coatings on textiles have historically relied on PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to achieve durable water repellency, and Gordini has not clarified whether AquaBloc contains these chemicals.

What’s concerning

♾️

Category baseline

The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.

70/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
♾️

Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment

Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.

65/ 100
♾️

PFAS

AquaBloc composition is undisclosed; waterproof textile membranes historically rely on PFAS for durability. No public statement from Gordini confirms PFAS-free formulation. High risk unless confirmed otherwise.

Source, ATSDR ↗
20/ 100
⏳

Coating degradation and microfiber release

Waterproof coatings degrade with washing and wear, potentially releasing polymer particles. No specific data on AquaBloc durability or shedding, but standard risk for membrane-coated textiles over 2-3 years of use.

70/ 100
⚠️

Allergic reaction to down fill or synthetic binder

Individuals with down sensitivity or feather allergy may react. Syndetic blends occasionally include binders with irritants. No specific incidents reported for this model; individual susceptibility varies.

70/ 100

What’s reassuring

💨

Formaldehyde / VOCs

Down textiles may include wrinkle-resistant or anti-microbial finishes containing formaldehyde releasers. No recalls or warnings specific to Gordini gloves; typical risk for synthetic blend shells, not down itself.

Source, ATSDR ↗
95/ 100
⛏️

Heavy metals

Color treatments on outer shell may contain trace heavy metals (e.g., from azo dyes). No reports for Gordini; standard concern for dark-colored textiles, but dermal contact through gloves is low-risk.

Source, FDA ↗
95/ 100

The full breakdown

The brand's record and disclosure

Gordini does not publicly disclose the composition of AquaBloc or provide PFAS-free certification for this product line. The brand has not issued a public PFAS commitment or transparency statement regarding waterproof membrane treatments. No recalls or safety violations specific to this model are on record. The lack of voluntary disclosure is a red flag given widespread industry awareness of PFAS concerns in waterproof textiles.

How it compares in its category

Winter gloves with waterproof membranes are common; competitors vary widely in transparency. Some brands (e.g., Patagonia, certain European makers) now disclose PFAS-free alternatives or provide third-party testing. Gordini's silence on AquaBloc composition places it in the lower-transparency segment of the market. Down-filled gloves may have lower concern for added flame retardants compared to some synthetic fills.

If you buy it

Hand wash in cool water and mild detergent; avoid machine washing, which accelerates coating breakdown and increases microfiber/coating particle release. Do not dry clean or expose to high heat (above 140°F/60°C), as this can degrade the membrane and trigger off-gassing. Replace gloves if the waterproof coating visibly peels, cracks, or loses water beading. If you have concerns about PFAS exposure, contact Gordini directly to request AquaBloc composition; silence may warrant choosing a competitor with transparent PFAS claims.

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
Gordini has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

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More waterproof winter gloves 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.