Quiksilver · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Quiksilver Men's Quest Stretch 20K Jacket
Avoid or verify, waterproof jackets commonly rely on PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings.
This waterproof jacket uses polyester with water-repellent coating treatment for water shedding. Quiksilver does not disclose whether the water-repellent coating uses PFAS or alternative chemistry.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Quiksilver Men's Quest Stretch 20K Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
The Quest Stretch 20K is polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment applied to the surface. Polyester fiber itself is chemically stable and does not leach additives into skin under normal wear. However, the water-repellent coating is the unknown variable, traditional water-repellent coating relies on PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals"), which are persistent chemicals tied to bioaccumulation and health concerns. The 20K waterproof rating indicates a sealed or heavily treated fabric, making water-repellent coating chemistry critical to this jacket's function and risk profile.
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
Waterproof jackets rated 20K almost universally rely on water-repellent coating coatings; traditional PFAS-based chemistries are still the baseline for mid-market brands unless explicitly stated otherwise. No public disclosure from Quiksilver on this model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester fiber production and fabric finishing can involve formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or hand-feel. Quiksilver does not publish finish chemistry for this line; risk is low if jacket is aired out before wear but not zero.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in colored polyester
Polyester apparel may use azo dyes, some of which release carcinogenic amines under sweat or UV exposure. No test data available for this specific model; risk is typical for the category and not flagged as a brand-specific issue.
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
As water-repellent coating ages and washes out, polyester fiber may shed microplastics during laundering. This is a lifecycle concern for all synthetic outerwear; the rate depends on weave integrity and washing frequency, not unique to Quiksilver but relevant to durability.
What’s reassuring
Flame retardants
This jacket is not marketed as flame-retardant, and antimony use in polyester is not a standard practice in outerwear. No recalls or warnings on record for this product.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Quiksilver has not made public commitments to PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives in its outerwear lines, and product-level coating chemistry is rarely disclosed on retail sites or tags. The brand has not published third-party certifications (e.g., bluesign, GOTS, OEKO-TEX) for this model as of available records. No formal recalls or safety warnings exist for this jacket, but the absence of transparency on water-repellent coating type is a red flag in an industry where competitors increasingly specify their water-repellent coating chemistry or list proprietary alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Ski and snowboard jackets in the 20K+ waterproof range typically use either legacy PFAS-based water-repellent coating (still common in mid-range brands) or newer alternatives like wax-based or Teflon-type coating-free fluorocarbon systems. Premium brands (Patagonia, Arc'teryx) increasingly advertise PFAS-free coatings; budget brands often remain silent. Quiksilver's lack of specification places this jacket in the uncertain middle, where water-repellent coating chemistry must be assumed traditional unless stated otherwise. This is a category-wide issue, not unique to Quiksilver, but it means active verification is necessary before purchase.
If you buy it
Contact Quiksilver customer service directly to request the water-repellent coating type (name of coating, manufacturer) before ordering; do not assume from product photos or descriptions. Wash in cold water without detergent boosters, which can strip water-repellent coating prematurely and expose you to reapplication chemicals. Avoid high-heat drying and do not iron the outer shell. Replace or retire the jacket if the water-repellent coating fails noticeably (water no longer beads), as re-treatment products introduce additional chemical exposure.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 40% 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 Quest Stretch 20K Jacket?
- Wool blend with synthetic fill (likely polyester)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- 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.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 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.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore ski & snowboard 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.