Head · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
RACE NOVA Men's Jacket
Skip unless Head discloses water-repellent coating chemistry. Waterproof jackets commonly use PFAS.
The RACE NOVA jacket almost certainly has a water-repellent coating finish typical of performance sportswear, but Head provides no public disclosure of the coating chemistry or PFAS status. Most waterproof outdoor apparel still uses PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic fabric with water-repellent coating (composition unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What RACE NOVA Men's Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
The RACE NOVA uses synthetic fabric with a water-resistant (water-repellent coating) finish, composition unspecified by Head. water-repellent coating coatings on ski jackets typically rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to repel water and snow. Without Head's disclosure of their specific water-repellent coating chemistry, you cannot rule out legacy PFAS formulations or newer fluorine-free alternatives. Synthetic base fabrics themselves (polyester, nylon) are stable and non-toxic when undamaged.
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
Fluorinated water-repellent coating coatings are industry standard for waterproof ski jackets. Head's silence on chemistry means legacy PFAS formulations cannot be ruled out, though newer alternatives are increasingly available.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microfiber shedding from synthetic fabric
Polyester or nylon ski jackets can shed microfibers during washing and wear, particularly if the coating is damaged or worn. No specific reports for this model, but inherent to synthetic outerwear.
Coating degradation and re-treatment
Water-repellent coating coatings on ski jackets degrade after 1-3 years of use. Consumer re-treatment products often reintroduce PFAS; Head does not specify approved re-treatment options.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No specific formaldehyde reports for the RACE NOVA or Head ski jackets. Modern synthetic fabrics and water-repellent coating coatings typically do not rely on formaldehyde-releasing resins, but independent testing is lacking.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
No recalls or reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Head RACE NOVA jackets. Standard metal zippers and synthetic dyes are used, but no third-party analysis is publicly available.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Head (Austrian sports equipment maker) has not published a PFAS policy or water-repellent coating chemistry disclosure for this jacket line as of available records. The brand remains silent on whether they use PFAS-free or PFAS-containing water repellents. Head maintains certifications in product performance but does not market environmental or chemical transparency as a differentiator in their outerwear. This opacity on water-repellent coating formulation is typical across mainstream ski-jacket brands but represents a data gap for informed choice.
How it compares in its category
Most ski jackets at this performance tier (mid-range to premium) use fluorinated water-repellent coating coatings; PFAS in water-repellent coating is an industry norm rather than a Head-specific problem. A few competitors (e.g., Patagonia, Arc'teryx select lines) now disclose PFAS-free or reduced-PFAS water-repellent coating options, though at higher price points. The RACE NOVA's lack of transparency puts it at the middle of the disclosure spectrum for ski wear, neither leading nor notably lagging. Durability and performance ratings for this model are standard for the category.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cold water with minimal detergent to extend water-repellent coating life and reduce any microfiber shedding; avoid hot water or dryer heat, which can degrade synthetic coatings. Store in a dry place; do not compress tightly for long periods, as this can crack the water-repellent coating layer. Inspect seams and coating annually for tears or peeling; if coating degrades significantly, reapplication products exist but may reintroduce PFAS depending on the product chosen. Do not dry-clean, as solvents can strip the water-repellent layer.
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.
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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.