Nike Storm Fit Jacket Cycling Running
water-repellent coating treatment likely contains PFAS. Nike provides no disclosure.
Nike's Storm Fit uses standard water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish, typically PFAS-based, with no public PFAS commitment or testing transparency. No third-party verification available.
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Material
Synthetic polyester/nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
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
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Antimony in polyester fibers
Polyester synthesis can involve antimony trioxide as a catalyst. Residual antimony in finished fabric is generally very low and migration to skin is not well-documented, but some activist groups flag it as a concern in synthetic textiles. Nike does not publish antimony testing data.
water-repellent coating degradation and leaching
Conventional PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings will gradually degrade with washing and wear, potentially releasing fluorinated chemicals into wastewater and the environment. Personal skin exposure from a garment is lower risk than environmental release, but indoor washing contributes to household PFAS load.
Microplastics
Polyester and nylon shed microfibers when worn and washed, especially if the fabric is physically abraded. Storm Fit jackets are typically tight weaves, which reduces shedding, but washing still contributes to microplastic release into water systems.
Source: EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Azo dyes
Nike's polyester athletic wear is not known to contain restricted azo dyes based on public recalls or testing. No specific concern on record for this model.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and nylon do not typically require formaldehyde-based resins for water repellency. water-repellent coating coatings use fluorinated or non-fluorinated polymers, not formaldehyde. No established risk for this product.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This jacket is polyester and nylon blended with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings shed water but have historically relied on fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) to work effectively. Nike has not disclosed the specific water-repellent coating chemistry for this model. Polyester and nylon themselves are stable synthetics with low leaching risk in normal wear, but the coating is the primary concern.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has faced sustained criticism for environmental PFAS pollution at manufacturing sites and has not committed to PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives across its apparel line, despite competitors publishing transition timelines. The company does not provide chemical disclosure on product tags or websites for water-repellent treatments. This opacity is the main red flag; it suggests either continued PFAS use or lack of supply-chain transparency.
How it compares in its category
Most major athletic brands still use conventional PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments on technical outerwear. Some competitors (Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Salewa) have publicly committed to PFAS-free alternatives or fluorocarbon-free finishes, though cost is higher. Nike's Storm Fit is mid-to-premium priced but offers no transparency advantage over cheaper alternatives, which weakens its value proposition if PFAS exposure is a concern.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cool water without fabric softener to preserve the water-repellent coating and minimize any potential leaching during laundering. Air dry; do not tumble dry or iron, as heat can degrade coatings and increase chemical migration. The water-repellent coating finish will wear down over 50-100 washes; replacement of the jacket rather than re-treatment is the safer path. Consider this a consumable garment with a 2-3 year lifespan under regular use.
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
- Nike has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Cycling Rain Jackets
Mens Balance Made In Usa Cycling Jacket Windbreaker Water Resistant
Synthetic fabric with water-resistant water-repellent coating, unspecified
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fabric
Limited concern
Skip until New Balance discloses water-repellent coating treatment details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More 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.