Oakley · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Oakley Men's Sub Temp RC Gore-Tex Jacket 2.0
Gore-Tex historically used PFAS; current formulation status unclear from public sources.
Gore-Tex waterproof jackets traditionally use Teflon-family coating membranes, historically associated with PFAS. Oakley has not publicly disclosed PFAS content or replacement technology for this model.
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Material
Gore-Tex membrane with water-repellent coating 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.
PFAS
Gore-Tex's historical water-repellent coating formulations used PFAS compounds. Oakley has not disclosed whether Sub Temp RC 2.0 uses legacy or reformulated chemistry. PFAS can leach from textiles through skin contact or laundry water, though skin exposure risk is lower than ingestion routes.
Source: ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
water-repellent coating finishes on technical outerwear degrade over 2-3 years with washing. Degraded polymer coatings may shed microparticles, though quantification in this product category is limited. Risk increases if subjected to high heat during laundering or storage in direct sunlight.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Gore-Tex lamination and seam-tape application sometimes uses formaldehyde-based adhesives or resin finishes to bond layers. Off-gassing is typically minimal after initial manufacture, but prolonged storage in warm environments can accelerate residual release. No specific data on this model.
Source: ATSDR ↗Polyester shedding and synthetic fiber pollution
If the shell is 100% polyester (common in Gore-Tex constructions), washing sheds microfibers. Each wash releases 124-308 mg of synthetic fibers per garment. This is an environmental rather than personal-safety hazard, but relevant to lifecycle assessment.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Oakley does not disclose dye chemistry for this jacket. Standard technical ski wear uses azo or reactive dyes with low migration risk, but cadmium and lead contamination is possible in low-cost dye batches. No recalls or testing results are public for this product.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This jacket uses Gore-Tex membrane, a microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon-type coating) laminate bonded to nylon or polyester shell fabric. Gore-Tex itself is stable under normal wear, but the critical issue is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the exterior. Historically, Gore-Tex products used PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings; Oakley has not publicly confirmed whether this 2.0 model uses legacy or reformulated water-repellent coating chemistry.
The brand's record and disclosure
Oakley (owned by Luxottica/EssilorLuxottica) does not maintain public transparency about PFAS use in apparel. The brand has no published PFAS phase-out commitment for ski wear comparable to some competitors. No major recalls or safety violations are on record for this specific model, but the absence of disclosure about water-repellent coating formulation is a red flag for informed purchasing.
How it compares in its category
Most major ski jacket brands now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating options (Patagonia, Arc'teryx, The North Face) or publish transition timelines. Oakley's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry lags this trend. Gore-Tex membrane performance remains excellent, but you may find equivalent waterproofing and breathability from competitors with verified non-PFAS finishes at similar price points.
If you buy it
Contact Oakley customer service directly to confirm whether this 2.0 model uses PFAS-free water-repellent coating before purchasing. Wash separately in cold water with mild soap; avoid hot water or dryers, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially accelerate any coating wear. Reapply non-PFAS water-repellent coating (Nixwax, Granger's) annually rather than relying on factory finish. Inspect seams and membrane for delamination or pilling yearly; Gore-Tex warranty typically covers defects but not water-repellent coating performance loss.
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
- Oakley has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Patagonia
Women's Untracked Jacket
recycled polyester with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastics
Moderate concern
Coating degradation and leaching
Limited concern
Lightweight jacket with water-repellent coating finish.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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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.