Head · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
HEAD Men's Kore Nordic Jacket
Skip or contact HEAD directly. Waterproof jacket almost certainly has water-repellent coating, but brand discloses nothing.
Nordic jackets rely on water-repellent coating finishes, which historically used PFAS compounds. HEAD provides no public information about their water-repellent coating chemistry, PFAS avoidance, or testing.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic insulation, polyester shell with water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What HEAD Men's Kore Nordic Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
The Kore Nordic jacket uses a polyester shell with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment, synthetic insulation (likely polyester or polypropylene-based), and internal seam sealing. water-repellent coating coatings on performance outerwear are typically fluorinated compounds, which is why PFAS exposure is the headline concern here. Polyester itself is chemically stable when worn normally, but the water-repellent coating finish and any adhesives used in construction are the exposure vectors during manufacturing and early use.
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.
water-repellent coating fluorinated compound leaching and inhalation
Polyester ski jackets almost universally use fluorinated water-repellent coating. HEAD does not disclose whether they use legacy PFOA-based formulations, GenX, or newer C6 alternatives. Risk is highest during manufacturing and first wash; inhalation and dermal absorption are both documented pathways.
Polyester microfiber shedding
Synthetic polyester shells and insulation shed microfibers, especially with mechanical washing and wear. While not inherently toxic, polyester microplastics persist in the environment and may accumulate in water systems. Risk is increased if jacket is washed in home machines (fibers escape standard filters).
Synthetic insulation off-gassing (volatile organic compounds)
Polyester and polypropylene insulation can off-gas formaldehyde and other VOCs during manufacturing and early use, particularly if stored in warm or poorly ventilated spaces. HEAD does not disclose insulation treatment or bonding chemistry. Risk is minor for outdoor wear but notable in enclosed storage or transport.
Degradation of seam sealing and water repellency over time
Fluorinated water-repellent coating coatings degrade with washing and UV exposure, releasing degradation products into wastewater and potentially re-concentrating PFAS on skin if the jacket is rewashed. Polyester seam sealing can delaminate, compromising waterproofing and increasing user exposure to wet/cold conditions.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in colored polyester shells
No specific recalls or reports of problematic azo dyes in HEAD apparel. Modern polyester dyes are generally regulated, but without third-party certification (Bluesign, GOTS, OEKO-TEX), verification is absent. Risk is low but unverified.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
HEAD Sports (owned by Tedros) has not published detailed chemical disclosures or sustainability commitments specific to apparel fluorination. The company does not appear on major third-party certifications like Bluesign or the ZDHC Gateway for textile chemical management. This silence is typical among mid-market ski brands, but it means consumers cannot verify whether HEAD has phased to fluorine-free water-repellent coating alternatives or what processing chemicals remain in finished products.
How it compares in its category
Most ski jackets in this performance tier use fluorinated water-repellent coating; few brands disclose details. Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and some others have committed to fluorine-free water-repellent coating or published reduction roadmaps. HEAD's silence puts the Kore Nordic in the norm for the category but not the leader in transparency. Premium polyester shells and synthetic insulation are standard across competitors, so chemical risk profile is typical rather than exceptional.
If you buy it
Wash the jacket in cold water with gentle detergent before heavy use to rinse out residual processing chemicals and fluorinated finishes. Avoid high heat (dryers, steam) for the first few washes, as heat accelerates water-repellent coating shedding and potential inhalation exposure. Inspect seams and coating annually for degradation; if the shell loses water repellency or delaminates, replacement may reduce exposure to degrading fluorinated layers compared to continued use. Store in a cool, dry place to slow breakdown of both water-repellent coating and synthetic insulation.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Head 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.