PFAS20/ 100Bad
Overall0/ 100Bad
Nautica Men's Hooded Rain Jacket

Nautica · Rain Jackets

Nautica Men's Hooded Rain Jacket

Bad

Skip or verify coating composition before purchase.

Verdict · SkipPFAS-heavy waterproof coating is the primary concern; polyester base carries minor formaldehyde and dye risks. Verify coating before purchase; manageable if worn without prolonged skin contact.

Nautica does not disclose PFAS status for this rain jacket. Waterproof coatings commonly contain PFAS. Request detailed materials info from the brand before buying.

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

polyester with waterproof coating

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

What’s concerning

♾️

Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment

Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.

65/ 100
♾️

Category baseline

The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.

70/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
💨

Formaldehyde / VOCs

Polyester fabrics often finish with formaldehyde-based resins to improve wrinkle resistance and dye fixation. New garments may off-gas low levels; washing reduces this substantially. No specific testing of Nautica jackets reported.

Source, ATSDR
70/ 100
🎨

Azo dyes and reactive dyes

Polyester textiles commonly use azo and reactive dyes. Most commercial suppliers comply with Oeko-Tex or REACH limits, but Nautica does not publicly certify testing. Dark-colored jackets carry slightly higher residual dye risk than light colors.

70/ 100
♾️

Teflon-family coating degradation

Waterproof coatings degrade over time and with washing, releasing microparticles and residual PFAS into wastewater. This is a known lifecycle hazard of PFC-coated textiles, independent of initial application safety. Durability claims vary; expect coating loss after 20-40 washes depending on care.

45/ 100
💨

Formaldehyde / VOCs

If jacket is stored in hot conditions or worn during high-exertion activity, residual formaldehyde and coating volatiles may increase. This is a minor concern for typical use but relevant if worn in high-heat/high-humidity contexts.

Source, ATSDR
70/ 100

What’s reassuring

Antimony in polyester fiber

Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester synthesis but residual levels in finished garments are typically below concern thresholds per REACH. No specific testing of Nautica products reported; not a primary risk for external-wear garments with minimal skin contact.

95/ 100

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

This jacket is polyester with a waterproof coating layer, likely Teflon-family coating-based (Teflon-type coating or PFC-derived) to achieve durable water repellency. Polyester itself is a synthetic polymer with low inherent toxicity, but the manufacturing process can introduce residual formaldehyde resins used as finishing agents, and the fabric may be dyed with azo compounds. The waterproof coating is the primary chemical concern in this product.

The brand's record and disclosure

Nautica, owned by Authentic Brands Group, does not publish detailed chemical composition or PFAS phase-out commitments on product pages or sustainability reports reviewed in public sources. The brand has not publicly announced a PFAS elimination timeline, unlike some competitors (e.g., Patagonia). No major product recalls or chemical safety controversies specific to Nautica rain jackets are on record, but the lack of transparency on waterproof coatings is notable.

How it compares in its category

Most affordable rain jackets rely on PFC or Teflon-type coating coatings due to cost and durability. Nautica sits in the mid-market segment where PFAS-free alternatives exist (e.g., wax-coated, silicone-coated, or polyurethane-membrane brands), but require higher price points or active hunting. Standard polyester rain jackets in this price range typically have similar formaldehyde and dye residue profiles; the PFAS coating is the differentiator.

If you buy it

Wash before first wear to reduce formaldehyde residue and loose dye particles. Avoid prolonged skin contact under hot or sweaty conditions, as heat can increase PFAS volatilization from the coating. Air dry only; machine drying or direct heat will degrade the waterproof layer. Replace when beading fails or coating flakes, as degraded coating particles pose a secondary concern. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

What we don’t know

Basis
Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
Lab test
None on record for this exact product
Brand statement
Nautica has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

More 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.