Outdoor Research · Waterproof Winter Gloves
Outdoor Research Men's Coldshot Sensor Gloves
Pass until Outdoor Research discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or switches to PFAS-free.
Outdoor Research doesn't reveal the water-repellent finish chemistry on these gloves. water-repellent coating coatings have historically been PFAS-based, though alternatives now exist, but confirmation is absent.
The better-graded swap
Patagonia
Patagonia R4 Yulex Regulator Three Finger Mitts
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic shell with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment; fleece lining
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Outdoor Research Men's Coldshot Sensor is made of, ingredients and materials
The Coldshot Sensor gloves use a synthetic shell (likely polyester or nylon) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish and fleece lining. water-repellent coating coatings are the primary chemical concern in winter gloves; historically many brands have used PFAS-based DWRs, though some now use PFAS-free alternatives. The fleece lining is typically polyester microfiber, which sheds minimally under normal wear but poses no acute toxicity hazard. Outdoor Research has not publicly disclosed the chemistry of their water-repellent coating treatment on this model.
What’s concerning
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
The water-repellent treatment is undisclosed. While many modern DWRs are PFAS-free (paraffin-based, fluorine-free alternatives), the lack of transparency from Outdoor Research means you cannot confirm what you are buying. Non-PFAS water-repellent coating options exist but are not guaranteed here.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Synthetic polymer degradation and microfiber shedding
Polyester shell and fleece lining are stable under normal wear and washing. While fleece can shed microfibers, this occurs at negligible levels in gloves due to low surface area and friction compared to apparel. No recalls or contamination incidents reported for this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde resins are used in some synthetic fabric finishes, but Outdoor Research gloves are not known to carry excessive formaldehyde. The brand is not associated with formaldehyde contamination incidents. Outdoor Research does not typically apply heavy resin finishes to fleece linings.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Winter glove colorants are generally low-risk in this product category. No public reports of azo dye or heavy metal contamination in Outdoor Research gloves. Outdoor Research is not a known offender in textile dye toxicity.
Source, FDA ↗Adhesive or sealing compound leaching
Glove seams are typically stitched rather than adhesively bonded, minimizing chemical leaching risk. No reported issues with adhesive breakdown or skin irritation from Outdoor Research glove construction.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Outdoor Research is a respected outdoor-gear manufacturer with no known major product recalls or contamination incidents. However, the company has not made a public commitment to PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatments across its product line, nor does it disclose the specific water-repellent chemistry used in individual glove models. This silence is notable given industry-wide awareness of PFAS in outdoor textiles since at least 2016. Without explicit disclosure or third-party certification (e.g., bluesign, OEKO-TEX), the water-repellent coating chemistry remains a black box.
How it compares in its category
Winter glove hazard profiles are relatively benign compared to cookware or cosmetics; the main chemical risk is water-repellent coating treatment. Many competitors (e.g.Patagonia and some Arc'teryx lines now offer water-repellent coating treatments with lower concern for PFAS or explicitly state their chemistry; Outdoor Research has not made such disclosures. Performance-wise, Coldshot Sensor gloves are well-reviewed for dexterity and warmth. If PFAS transparency is a priority, you'll find clearer choices from competitors willing to disclose.
If you buy it
Wash gloves in cool water with mild detergent; avoid hot water or machine drying, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and fleece. The synthetic shell will not leach chemicals into skin under normal conditions. Replace the gloves if the water-repellent coating visibly fails (water no longer beads) or fleece matts excessively, typically after 1-2 seasons of heavy use. Do not tumble dry or expose to direct heat sources, as this accelerates coating breakdown.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Outdoor Research has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
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More waterproof winter gloves 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.