Nautica Men's Seam-Sealed Jacket
Seam-sealed jackets commonly use water-repellent coating coatings; Nautica does not disclose PFAS status.
Nautica does not publicly disclose PFAS use or avoidance in this jacket. Seam-sealed waterproof apparel typically involves water-repellent coating treatment, which historically contained PFAS. Contact brand for coating specifics.
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Material
Polyester/nylon with seam-sealed 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.
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
Seam-sealed waterproof jackets overwhelmingly use fluorinated water-repellent coating unless labeled otherwise. Nautica provides no confirmation of PFAS-free status, and brand silence suggests conventional formulations are in use.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Seam-sealed waterproof coatings may incorporate formaldehyde-releasing resins to improve durability and water-shedding. Nautica does not disclose finish chemistry, so presence cannot be ruled out, though finished garment off-gassing risk is generally low at room temperature.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Repeated washing of coated textiles can cause coating flaking and shedding of microparticles into wastewater. Gentle care and avoiding frequent hot washing minimizes this risk for seam-sealed jackets.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in polyester/nylon
No specific azo dye contamination has been reported in Nautica apparel. Polyester and nylon can be dyed with azo compounds, but mainstream brands typically comply with REACH restrictions in EU markets, limiting problematic azo dyes.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester production but remains bound in the finished polymer and does not migrate into skin contact under normal wear. No specific reports link Nautica apparel to antimony exposure.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This jacket combines polyester and nylon shell fabrics with a seam-sealed waterproof coating, almost certainly a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Seam-sealed construction means tape is applied to interior seams to block water penetration. The coating is the key risk point, traditional water-repellent coating finishes rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to bond water-shedding properties to fabric fibers. Polyester and nylon themselves are chemically stable polymers with low toxicity at normal wear temperatures.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nautica does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of its waterproof coatings or confirm whether water-repellent coating treatments are PFAS-free. The brand has not published sustainability reports or certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign) that would independently verify absence of problematic chemicals. No recalls or public health warnings specific to Nautica outerwear have been documented, but silence on PFAS in seam-sealed products is typical of mainstream apparel brands and does not indicate safety.
How it compares in its category
Seam-sealed waterproof jackets across the industry commonly use legacy PFAS-based water-repellent coating unless explicitly labeled otherwise (e.g. Nautica's approach is standard for mid-market brands; premium outdoor brands like Patagonia and Arc'teryx have committed to phasing out long-chain PFAS, and some offer certified alternatives. Budget and mainstream brands typically do not disclose or transition, making this jacket indistinguishable from competitors on chemistry grounds.
If you buy it
Wear normally without worry about polyester/nylon degradation at typical body temperatures. Do not machine-wash in hot water or dry-clean aggressively, as heat and solvents can accelerate coating breakdown and increase leaching risk. Hand-wash in cool water or use a gentle cycle, then air-dry. Reapply water-repellent coating every 1-2 years of regular use (or after heavy washing) using commercial water-repellent treatments; ask supplier about options with lower concern for PFAS when refreshing. Inspect seams annually for tape peeling, which signals time to retire the jacket.
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.