Glacier Glove · Waterproof Winter Gloves
Glacier Glove Ice Bay
Pass until Icebreaker discloses or pledges PFAS-free water-repellent coating.
These Glacier Glove mittens use merino wool with water-repellent coating treatment, a combination historically tied to PFAS use. Icebreaker doesn't disclose whether the water-repellent coating is PFAS-based and holds no third-party certifications.
The better-graded swap
Patagonia
Patagonia R4 Yulex Regulator Three Finger Mitts
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
merino wool blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Glacier Glove Ice Bay is made of, ingredients and materials
Glacier Glove Ice Bay is a merino wool blend treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Merino wool itself is a natural fiber with low toxicity risk, but the water-repellent coating is the critical unknown, most commercial water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS), though some manufacturers have switched to non-fluorinated alternatives. Icebreaker has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry is used on this model, making the PFAS exposure profile unclear.
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
Icebreaker has not publicly stated whether Glacier Glove Ice Bay uses fluorinated or non-fluorinated water-repellent coating. Historical industry practice favors PFAS-based treatments, but absence of disclosure does not confirm or rule out their use. Skin contact with gloves is low-risk, but migration to sweat or frequent washing may increase exposure if PFAS is present.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and particle shedding
Repeated washing and wear will eventually thin or flake the water-repellent coating layer. Microscopic particles of the coating may shed onto skin or be inhaled; composition unknown increases uncertainty about safety of long-term exposure to degraded finish.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or public reports link Icebreaker merino wool products to formaldehyde. Merino wool typically undergoes gentle finishing relative to synthetic fibers, and no evidence suggests this brand uses heavy formaldehyde-based resins.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in wool coloring
No established safety issues documented for Icebreaker wool glove dyes. Merino wool is often dyed with modern, lower-risk colorants, and Icebreaker has not been associated with azo dye violations in apparel.
Antimony in synthetic blend components
Glacier Glove Ice Bay is predominantly merino wool; if synthetic fibers (polyester) are blended in, they could theoretically contain antimony as a polyester catalyst residue. Icebreaker products are not flagged for antimony concerns, and exposure from gloves worn externally is minimal.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Icebreaker, owned by GN Store Nord, has not published a clear PFAS elimination timeline or transparency report for its apparel lines as of available public records. The brand markets sustainability credentials around wool sourcing but remains silent on water-repellent coating chemical composition across its product range. Without active disclosure or third-party certification (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign), purchasers cannot verify whether this glove uses legacy fluorinated water-repellent coating or a lower-concern alternative.
How it compares in its category
Winter glove water-repellent coating treatments are routine across premium brands; most merino wool gloves in this price tier use similar water-resistant finishes. Some competitors (e.g., certain Smartwool or direct-water-repellent coating-free wool options) explicitly commit to non-fluorinated treatments or omit water-repellent coating altogether. Icebreaker's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry puts it in the ambiguous middle of the market rather than the transparent or PFAS-free end.
If you buy it
Wash these gloves in cool water with mild detergent and air-dry; avoid heat sources and dryers that could degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially release particles. Do not dry-clean or use harsh solvents, as these may strip the finish and increase skin contact with residual coating chemicals. Replace gloves if the water-repellent coating visibly fails (water no longer beads) or if the wool shows pilling or odor that washing does not resolve. Given the PFAS disclosure gap, consider requesting a material safety data sheet from Icebreaker before purchase if PFAS minimization is a priority.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Glacier Glove has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Glacier Glove Ice Bay?
- Polyester fleece (recycled)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free alternative
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Allergic contact dermatitis (rubber/guayule sensitivity)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Polyester fleece (Synchilla®); no water-repellent treatment disclosed
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Microplastics
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More waterproof winter gloves 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.