Helly Hansen · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Helly Hansen Men's Gravity Insulated Ski Jacket
Skip until Helly Hansen discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or commits to PFAS-free treatment.
This ski jacket uses a water-repellent coating finish typical of ski apparel, but Helly Hansen doesn't publicly disclose which water-repellent chemistry is used. Traditional water-repellent coating often relies on PFAS compounds without third-party testing or PFAS-free certification evident.
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Material
Polyester/nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
Lab data
No public lab test
What Helly Hansen Men's Gravity Insulated Ski is made of, ingredients and materials
This jacket is constructed from polyester and nylon base fabrics with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the outer surface. The water-repellent coating treatment is the primary chemical concern, most ski jackets in this price range use fluorochemical water-repellent coating (likely PFAS-based), though Helly Hansen has not publicly disclosed their specific formulation. Polyester and nylon themselves are stable synthetic polymers with low toxicity risk during normal wear, but the finish chemistry is what requires scrutiny.
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
The water-repellent coating on polyester ski jackets is statistically dominated by PFAS-based chemistries. Helly Hansen's silence on formulation and lack of a public PFAS-free commitment suggests standard fluorochemical treatment, though this is not lab-confirmed for this specific SKU. Skin contact during wear is considered low-risk; the primary concern is environmental release during washing and end-of-life
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in colored panels
The Gravity jacket uses dark or vivid synthetic dyes typical of ski apparel. While azo dyes are restricted in the EU and many certified textiles, Helly Hansen does not publicly commit to azo-free dyeing processes. Risk during normal wear is negligible; concern is primarily for workers in manufacturing and eventual textile waste.
Synthetic microfiber shedding during washing
Polyester and nylon jackets shed microplastics during laundering, contributing to aquatic microfiber pollution. This is not unique to Helly Hansen but a known property of all synthetic insulated outerwear. Washing in cool water with mild detergent and infrequent laundering minimizes shedding.
Coating degradation and chemical volatilization over time
The water-repellent coating finish degrades with age, heat exposure, and repeated washing, potentially increasing the chance of residual finish chemicals becoming available. Proper storage (cool, dry, away from direct heat) and avoiding dryer use helps preserve coating integrity and minimizes unnecessary chemical exposure.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and nylon do not inherently contain formaldehyde, but some fabric finishing processes (dyes, flame retardants) can introduce or release formaldehyde. No specific reports of elevated formaldehyde in Helly Hansen ski jackets have been documented. Standard polyester garments typically test below regulatory thresholds.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen has not made a public commitment to PFAS-free manufacturing or transparent water-repellent coating disclosure as of the latest available information. The brand does not prominently advertise PFAS-free certifications or partner with third-party textile safety standards that would guarantee fluorochemical avoidance. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is common among mainstream ski apparel brands but represents a significant transparency gap compared to outdoor companies that have explicitly phased out PFAS treatments.
How it compares in its category
Most insulated ski jackets at this performance tier (including offerings from Arc'teryx, The North Face, and Salomon) use similar polyester/nylon with fluorochemical water-repellent coating finishes. A small number of brands now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives (e.g., Patagonia, some Arcteryx lines), though these typically cost more and may have slightly different durability profiles. The Gravity jacket's specifications are standard for the category, meaning this hazard is widespread, not unique to Helly Hansen.
If you buy it
Wear the jacket normally without unusual concern for dermal exposure during use. Do not attempt to remove or alter the water-repellent coating finish yourself, as this risks creating airborne particles. Wash infrequently and use cool water with minimal detergent; avoid dry cleaning, which can degrade the coating unpredictably. If you launder it, air-dry only; heat (dryer, direct sun) can accelerate degradation of both the water-repellent coating and underlying synthetics and may increase volatilization of finish residues.
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
- Helly Hansen has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.