Helly Hansen · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Helly Hansen Men's Ridge Infinity Shell Jacket 2.0
Skip or seek PFAS transparency; Helly Hansen doesn't disclose this jacket's water-repellent coating chemistry.
This polyester shell jacket uses waterproofing treatment, but Helly Hansen provides no public disclosure of whether the water-repellent coating contains PFAS. Many hardshell jackets from major brands use fluorinated water-repellent coating without third-party testing or commitment.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Lab data
No public lab test
What Helly Hansen Men's Ridge Infinity Shell is made of, ingredients and materials
The Ridge Infinity 2.0 uses a polyester shell fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. water-repellent coating finishes on technical outerwear are historically the largest source of PFAS exposure in apparel because water and oil repellency typically requires fluorochemical compounds. Polyester itself is stable and not a primary chemical hazard, but the coating composition is what drives safety concern here. Helly Hansen has not disclosed whether this jacket uses fluorinated or fluorine-free water-repellent coating chemistry.
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
Standard fluorochemical water-repellent coating is likely unless otherwise stated, but Helly Hansen does not confirm chemistry for this model. Exposure is primarily dermal contact and potential laundry water contamination, not acute toxicity.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyester microfiber shedding
Washing and wear of polyester textiles sheds small fibers; no toxicity hazard but an environmental and ingestion concern if microfibers enter waterways or food chains. Not unique to this brand.
Coating degradation and leachables
Over time and with heat exposure, water-repellent coating coatings can break down and shed microparticles or compounds into wash water. Frequency and composition depend on the fluorochemical used and are not disclosed for this jacket.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Technical ski jackets typically use minimal formaldehyde-releasing resins; no recalls or complaints on record for Helly Hansen outerwear on this basis.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes
No evidence Helly Hansen uses banned azo dyes in standard colorways. The brand meets EU and OEKO-TEX standards for many products, though specific certification for this model is not publicly confirmed.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen has not published transparent information about water-repellent coating chemistry for this specific model or made a public commitment to phasing out PFAS in ski jackets. The brand does not appear on major lists of apparel makers with PFAS-free or fluorine-free commitments. No recalls or safety controversies specific to this jacket line are on record. This silence on water-repellent coating composition is typical industry-wide but represents a gap in consumer transparency.
How it compares in its category
Most ski jackets use fluorinated water-repellent coating by default; Helly Hansen's lack of disclosure mirrors many mainstream technical brands. A small number of competitors (Patagonia, Arc'teryx, some Fjallraven models) now offer fluorine-free or disclosed water-repellent coating options, making the Ridge Infinity 2.0 middle-of-the-road on transparency. Price and performance reputation are strong, but environmental and health disclosure lags specialty brands prioritizing PFAS avoidance.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other clothing to minimize microfiber shed and any potential coating migration into wash water. Avoid machine drying or excessive heat, which can degrade the water-repellent coating finish and shorten jacket life. Re-treat the water-repellent coating every 1-2 years or when water beading diminishes; use fluorine-free water-repellent coating products if available to reduce future PFAS loading. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve polyester integrity.
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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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.