Head · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
KORE Women's Jacket
Typical sports jacket with likely PFAS-based water-repellent coating. Head makes no disclosure; seek brand details before buying.
Head's KORE Women's Jacket uses a water-repellent coating typical of performance apparel, but the brand does not publicly specify its PFAS status or disclose the chemistry. Most legacy water-repellent coating finishes on mid-market jackets rely on fluorinated compounds.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating finish (composition unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What KORE Women's Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
The KORE uses a polyester shell with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Polyester itself is stable in normal wear, but the water-repellent coating is the concern, Head does not disclose whether it uses PFAS-based or fluorine-free chemistry. water-repellent coating finishes on technical outerwear historically relied on PFAS compounds to achieve water resistance and durability across washing cycles, though some brands have switched to fluorine-free alternatives. Without Head's specification, assume PFAS-based unless stated otherwise.
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
Polyester ski jackets almost universally used PFAS-based water-repellent coating until very recently. Head's silence on fluorine-free chemistry and lack of third-party certification strongly suggests PFAS use, typical of mainstream brands in this segment.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some polyester technical fabrics use formaldehyde-based resins for shrinkage control and crease resistance. Head does not disclose finishing chemistry; levels would be minimal in outerwear but not explicitly ruled out.
Source, ATSDR ↗VOC off-gassing from synthetic materials
New polyester jackets with water-repellent coating coatings may release low levels of volatile organic compounds during initial wear and first washes. Ventilating the jacket outdoors for 24 hours before first use reduces exposure.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes and colorfast toxins
No recalls or reports specific to Head KORE for azo dye issues. Polyester apparel from major brands generally meets EU and North American dye standards, but Head provides no independent testing documentation.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony oxide is a catalyst in polyester synthesis but typically retained in the polymer matrix. No specific reports of leaching or health risk from ski jackets; Head provides no antimony content disclosure.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Head is a major sports equipment manufacturer but maintains minimal public transparency on chemical composition in apparel. No independent certifications (Bluesign, GOTS, or similar) are publicly linked to the KORE line. Head has not published a PFAS phase-out timeline or commitment comparable to brands like Patagonia or Arc'teryx. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of mid-to-mainstream outdoor brands but leaves buyers without actionable information.
How it compares in its category
The KORE sits in the mass-market ski jacket segment. Premium brands like Arc'teryx and Patagonia now offer PFAS-free or disclosed water-repellent coating options; budget and mid-range alternatives including Head typically use legacy PFAS formulations without transparency. Head's lack of disclosure places it below leaders in chemical responsibility but is not an outlier in the mainstream ski market. Buyers seeking low-PFAS options should prioritize brands with explicit fluorine-free claims.
If you buy it
Wash infrequently to minimize water-repellent coating reapplication needs; when you do, use a gentle technical wash detergent and avoid high heat drying. Do not machine wash at temperatures above 30°C, as water-repellent coating finishes degrade under heat stress. Replace the jacket when water no longer beads on the shell after gentle washing, rather than re-treating with unknown water-repellent coating sprays. Request water-repellent coating composition from Head customer service before purchase if PFAS exposure is a concern; silence suggests conventional chemistry.
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
- 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.