Quiksilver · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Quiksilver Men's High Altitude 20K Snow Jacket
Avoid until Quiksilver confirms water-repellent coating composition or switch to confirmed PFAS-free snowwear.
The polyester shell receives a water-repellent coating water-repellent coating whose chemistry Quiksilver never discloses. Snow gear routinely uses water-repellent coating treatments, and many brands still rely on PFAS-based options.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Quiksilver Men's High 20K Snow Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
This jacket uses a polyester shell fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings on outerwear have historically relied on PFAS compounds (PFAS "forever chemicals") to achieve water shedding without absorbing moisture into the fabric. The polyester base itself is chemically stable under normal use, but the water-repellent coating treatment is the primary concern here because fluorinated water repellents persist in the environment and can accumulate in the body.
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
Water-repellent treatments on polyester snow jackets commonly contain PFAS compounds. Quiksilver has not disclosed whether this model uses fluorinated or fluorine-free water-repellent coating, placing it in a high-risk category given industry knowledge that many mid-range brands still rely on cheaper PFAS-based formulations.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyester microfiber shedding during wear and washing
Polyester shells shed microfibers when abraded or laundered, especially if the water-repellent coating degrades over time. These synthetic fibers accumulate in wastewater and potentially ingress to food chains; wear rate depends on abrasion (backpack straps, tree contact) and wash frequency.
VOC off-gassing from water-repellent coating and polyester dyes
New polyester garments and their water-repellent coating coatings may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the first few washes. This is typically mild and temporary, but poorly ventilated storage or exposure to heat can increase off-gassing. Airing the jacket outdoors before first wear reduces this exposure.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester fabrics can be treated with formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or dimensional stability. No public records indicate Quiksilver uses such treatments in this model, but the absence of certification (e.g., OEKO-TEX) means it cannot be ruled out.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dye use in dark polyester colorways
Dark-colored polyester textiles sometimes use azo dyes, which can break down into carcinogenic amines under certain conditions (sweat, UV, heat). No public testing records exist for this specific jacket. Brands with OEKO-TEX or bluesign certification explicitly exclude harmful azo dyes; Quiksilver does not market this jacket with such certifications.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Quiksilver has not publicly disclosed whether this jacket uses PFAS-based or PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatments, and the brand has not made binding commitments to phase out fluorinated repellents across its snowwear line. Competitors including Patagonia and Arc'teryx have committed to PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives (like water-repellent coating without fluorine) and clearly label them. Quiksilver's silence on this issue is a red flag in a market where transparency is increasingly standard.
How it compares in its category
Most premium ski jackets now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating options or disclose their chemistry. Patagonia's snowwear explicitly uses wax-based or fluorine-free polymer water-repellent coating; Arc'teryx and The North Face have phased fluorinated treatments in high-end lines. Quiksilver's High Altitude jacket sits in the mid-range price tier ($250-350) but lags behind competitors on environmental and health transparency. For the same price, you can find jackets with confirmed PFAS-free treatments or wax-based water repellency.
If you buy it
If purchased despite PFAS uncertainty, wash separately from other clothing initially (water-repellent coating can shed microfibers), and rinse thoroughly to minimize skin contact. Avoid machine dryers on high heat, as this can degrade the coating and may release volatile compounds. Do not use fabric treatments or reproof sprays without verifying they are PFAS-free. Replace when water-repellent coating noticeably fails (water no longer beads) rather than attempting chemical re-coating, as aftermarket water-repellent coating sprays often contain PFAS.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Quiksilver has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Quiksilver Men's High Altitude 20K Snow Jacket?
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- water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating composition
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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Allbirds
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- wool blend (natural fiber dominant)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment - undisclosed chemistry
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Merino wool blend (natural fiber)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and synthetic dye residue
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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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.