Merrell · Cycling Rain Jackets
Merrell Full Zip Rain Jacket Blue M Light
Skip until Merrell discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
Merrell does not publicly disclose the water-repellent coating finish chemistry on this rain jacket. Most outdoor apparel uses PFAS-based water repellents; without brand confirmation, assume standard treatment.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Merrell Full Zip Rain Jacket Blue M Light is made of, ingredients and materials
This jacket's polyester shell is treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed rain. water-repellent coating coatings are conventionally applied using fluorinated compounds, which are a major vector for PFAS exposure in apparel. Polyester itself is generally chemically stable, but the finish applied to it is where the hazard concentrates. Merrell has not publicly disclosed whether their water-repellent coating uses fluorinated chemistry or alternatives.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
PFAS
Standard fluorinated water-repellent coating finishes are the primary PFAS source in rain apparel. Merrell's lack of disclosure strongly suggests conventional chemistry is in use. PFAS bioaccumulates in human serum and persists in the environment indefinitely.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester textiles sometimes use formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or color-fastening. Merrell has not published ingredient specifications; industry standard finishes may include these agents. Formaldehyde is an off-gassing concern in new garments and a potential skin sensitizer.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
The blue dye in this jacket is not specified as reactive, direct, or azo-free. Azo dyes can degrade to carcinogenic amines under sweat or UV exposure. Heavy metal pigments (cadmium, lead) historically appear in cheap synthetic dyes; Merrell's tier and EU market presence suggest compliance, but no third-party testing is public.
Source, FDA ↗Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony trioxide is a common catalyst in polyester production and can leach under acidic conditions (sweat pH ~5). Levels in finished garments are typically low, but long-term skin contact with new garments may present low-level exposure risk, especially if the jacket is worn directly against skin.
Coating degradation and re-exposure over time
Water-repellent coating coatings degrade with washing and wear, potentially releasing bound PFAS into laundry water and the home environment. Repeated exposure cycles during the garment's lifespan extend PFAS contact, particularly during washing if done frequently.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Merrell (owned by Wolverine World Wide) has not issued a public PFAS phase-out commitment or transparency statement regarding water-repellent coating chemistry in footwear or apparel as of recent records. The brand does not appear in major PFAS disclosure initiatives (Cradle to Cradle, bluesign, etc.). This silence is significant because competitors including Patagonia, Arc'teryx, and some Salomon lines have published specifications for water-repellent coating coatings with lower PFAS concern or reduced PFAS use.
How it compares in its category
Rain jackets universally require water-repellent treatment, and most mainstream brands (The North Face, Columbia, Merrell) rely on traditional fluorinated water-repellent coating unless explicitly labeled otherwise. Alternatives using paraffin wax, silicone, or non-fluorinated polymer coatings exist but are niche; they are common in premium outdoor brands (Patagonia, Fjallraven) and some eco-certified lines. Merrell's silence puts this jacket in the high-hazard category relative to competitors offering verified PFAS-free options at similar price points.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cool water using minimal detergent; avoid fabric softener, which can degrade water-repellent coating performance and increase potential leaching. Do not dry-clean; fluorinated coatings may persist through standard dry-cleaning solvents. Replace the jacket if the water-repellent coating fails visibly (beading stops), as re-application products may introduce additional uncontrolled PFAS. Store dry and avoid prolonged contact with skin oils, which can accelerate coating degradation.
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
- Merrell has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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Find an alternative on AmazonMore cycling rain 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.