Jack Wolfskin · Waterproof Winter Gloves
Jack Wolfskin Morobbia Lobster Gloves
Pass until Jack Wolfskin discloses water-repellent coating chemistry; waterproof gloves may contain PFAS.
These Morobbia Lobster Gloves have a water-resistant shell typical of outdoor apparel, but Jack Wolfskin doesn't disclose what water-repellent coating treatment is used. water-repellent coating treatments have historically relied on PFAS.
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
Synthetic insulation + textile shell with water-repellent coating treatment (unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Jack Wolfskin Morobbia Lobster Gloves is made of, ingredients and materials
Morobbia Lobster Gloves use synthetic insulation (likely polyester or polypropylene) with a textile shell treated with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. The water-repellent coating is the critical unknown, historically, waterproof outdoor gloves rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to achieve water shedding, though some brands now use fluorine-free alternatives. Jack Wolfskin does not publicly disclose their water-repellent coating chemistry for this model. Synthetic insulation itself carries minimal chemical hazard if not excessively heated during washing.
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.
water-repellent coating degradation and skin contact
As the fluorinated (or non-fluorinated) water-repellent coating wears, microscopic particles may shed during use and laundering. Dermal absorption of fluorinated water-repellent coating compounds is low, but ingestion via hand-to-mouth transfer in children is a theoretical pathway; no acute toxicity reported for glove use.
Mold or bacterial growth in insulation
If gloves are stored wet or in damp conditions, synthetic insulation can develop mold or mildew, which produces mycotoxins and musty odors. This is a storage/care issue, not a manufacturing defect, but relevant to long-term safety.
What’s reassuring
Synthetic textile irritation from dyes or finishes
No recalls or widespread complaints of dermatitis linked to Jack Wolfskin gloves. Standard azo dyes and formaldehyde resins in synthetic textiles carry minimal risk if cured properly during manufacture; this brand has not been flagged for dye-related issues.
Insulation fiber release and inhalation
Synthetic insulation (polyester/polypropylene fibers) does not shed microfibers readily from intact gloves under normal wear. Inhalation risk is negligible unless the glove is severely damaged or fibers are deliberately disturbed.
Heavy metals
No testing data available for this specific model, but Jack Wolfskin as a major retailer is subject to EU/US textile regulations that cap lead and cadmium in dyes. No product-specific metal contamination reports on record.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Jack Wolfskin has not published a formal PFAS elimination roadmap or transparency report on chemical use in waterproof products, unlike some outdoor apparel competitors. The brand has not announced fluorine-free water-repellent coating adoption across their glove lines. No product-specific recalls or heavy-metal contamination reports are on record for this model. The silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is the primary concern for informed purchase.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof winter gloves universally face the PFAS trade-off, fluorinated water-repellent coating is the industry standard for reliable water shedding; fluorine-free alternatives exist but are less durable and more expensive. Morobbia Lobster Gloves are competitively priced, suggesting standard PFAS-based treatment rather than premium eco-formulation. Competing brands (e.g., Outdoor Research, some Patagonia styles) offer explicit fluorine-free or recycled water-repellent coating options, though at higher cost.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water only and air dry; hot water or machine drying can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially mobilize residual chemicals. Do not use harsh detergents or bleach, which compromise the textile seal. The water-repellent coating will degrade after 1-2 seasons of heavy use; reapplication with fluorine-free products is available aftermarket (e.g., Nikwax water-repellent coating spray). Before purchasing, contact Jack Wolfskin customer service directly to request water-repellent coating composition; silent brands are less trustworthy than transparent ones.
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
- Jack Wolfskin has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Winter Gloves
Patagonia
Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's
- Polyester fleece (recycled)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Patagonia
R4 Yulex Regulator Three Finger Mitts
- 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. See all of them.
Patagonia
Synchilla Gloves
- 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. See all of them.
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.