Phenix · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Phenix Diaplex Insulated Waterproof Breathable Women's Ski Jacket Us 8
Skip unless Phenix discloses water-repellent coating chemistry. Waterproof ski jackets typically contain PFAS and silence is the norm.
Phenix's Diaplex jacket uses a waterproof-breathable treatment, the most common application for PFAS in apparel, but the brand provides no public disclosure of coating chemistry or PFAS status. No third-party verification or PFAS-free claim found.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic outer shell with waterproof breathable membrane (unspecified coating)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Phenix Diaplex Insulated Waterproof is made of, ingredients and materials
Phenix Diaplex uses a synthetic outer shell (likely polyester or nylon) bonded to a waterproof breathable membrane. The manufacturer does not disclose the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish chemistry. Most ski jackets in this price range use legacy PFOA/PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings that persist in the environment indefinitely and accumulate in human tissue. The unspecified membrane itself is typically polyurethane or polyester, which do not pose acute chemical hazards under normal use but can degrade and shed microplastics if abraded repeatedly.
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.
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry
Phenix has not disclosed whether this jacket uses PFAS-based or PFAS-free water-repellent coating. Industry data suggest most mid-range ski jackets still rely on legacy fluorocarbon chemistries. Exposure occurs primarily through skin contact and washing; the chemical persists in the environment and bioaccumulates.
Polyester microplastic shedding
The outer shell is synthetic (likely polyester). Abrasion from wear, washing, and folding can release microplastic fibers. Risk is low with proper care but increases significantly if the jacket is tumble dried or subject to rough handling.
Membrane coating degradation and leachables
Polyurethane or similar membranes can degrade over 5-10 years of use, especially if exposed to UV, ozone, or chemical solvents. Degradation products are not well-characterized but are unlikely to pose acute hazards at typical exposure levels during normal wear.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Technical outerwear from established brands like Phenix typically avoids formaldehyde resins due to EU and Japanese textile standards. No recalls or testing reports suggest contamination in this product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Phenix is a quality-focused brand subject to Japanese textile safety regulations (JFRL). No published incidents of azo dye or heavy metal contamination have been reported for this brand. Risk is lower than in budget fast-fashion alternatives.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Phenix is a Japanese technical outerwear brand owned by Goldwin Inc. The company has not published a water-repellent coating chemistry transparency statement or commitment to PFAS-free formulations across its product lines. No product-specific recalls or safety controversies are on public record. The silence on water-repellent coating composition is standard in the ski jacket industry, but absence of disclosure in 2024 is increasingly viewed as a red flag by environmental and health advocacy groups.
How it compares in its category
Phenix jackets sit in the mid-to-premium performance segment, competing with brands like Arc'teryx, Patagonia, and The North Face. Unlike Patagonia (which has committed to phasing PFAS-based water-repellent coating by 2025) and Arc'teryx (which discloses water-repellent coating chemistry on select lines), Phenix has made no public commitment. Most ski jackets under USD 500 likely contain PFAS-based water-repellent coating; this product's lack of transparency makes it indistinguishable from budget alternatives on the chemical safety dimension.
If you buy it
Wash the jacket in cool water using a mild detergent designed for technical fabrics; hot water or dry cleaning can degrade the waterproof membrane. Do not machine dry or expose to direct heat above 60 degrees Celsius. Avoid fabric softeners and bleach. Re-apply a water-repellent coating finish every 1-2 seasons if water no longer beads on the surface; if you do this, specify a PFAS-free aftermarket product to avoid compounding legacy contamination. Inspect seams and zipper areas annually for tearing or separation that could accelerate microplastic shedding.
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
- Phenix has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.