Quiksilver · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Quiksilver Men's Sage 1.5 Mercury Jacket
Avoid until Quiksilver clarifies water-repellent coating chemistry or switches to PFAS-free water treatment.
This polyester jacket features a water-repellent coating finish applied for water resistance, a typical product category historically dependent on PFAS. Quiksilver does not disclose the water-repellent coating chemistry or any PFAS-free status.
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 Sage 1.5 Mercury Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
The Sage 1.5 Mercury uses a polyester shell fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the outer surface. water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on PFAS compounds (PFAS "forever chemicals") because fluorine chemistry is exceptionally good at repelling both water and oil. Quiksilver has not publicly disclosed whether this jacket uses legacy PFAS-based water-repellent coating or newer fluorine-free alternatives, leaving the chemical identity opaque to consumers.
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 coating chemistry unspecified by Quiksilver; historical industry reliance on PFAS-based treatments means legacy water-repellent coating is probable without explicit disclosure of fluorine-free alternatives.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyester fiber degradation and microplastic shedding
Repeated washing and mechanical abrasion during use can shed microplastic fibers, particularly if the jacket is worn without a base layer or undergoes vigorous movement. water-repellent coating coatings can mask underlying fiber brittleness as they age.
Coating leachables during laundering
Polyester fabrics with applied water-repellent coating treatments may release trace chemical residues during washing, especially in the first few washes before the coating fully sets. Warm or hot water increases leaching risk compared to cold-water care.
What’s reassuring
VOC off-gassing from adhesives and finishes
No specific off-gassing complaints or test results are on record for this model. Polyester shell jackets with applied coatings may emit volatile organic compounds in new or poorly ventilated storage, but this is not a Quiksilver-specific issue and dissipates with air exposure.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester textiles can be treated with formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or durability; Quiksilver does not disclose resin chemistry, and no independent testing of this jacket for formaldehyde is available.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Quiksilver has not published detailed supplier or material-chemistry disclosures comparable to competitors like Patagonia or Arc'teryx. The brand has faced no major public recalls or chemical controversies specific to this model, but the absence of transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry is itself a red flag in an industry where PFAS phase-out is becoming standard. Without third-party certification (Bluesign, GOTS, or similar) listed on product tags, there is no independent verification of what treatment was used.
How it compares in its category
Premium ski and snowboard jackets from Arc'teryx, Patagonia, and The North Face increasingly offer water treatments with lower PFAS concern or publish water-repellent coating chemistry explicitly. Quiksilver's Sage line sits in the mid-to-premium segment but lags on chemical transparency. For a performance jacket in this price range, you can find alternatives that either disclose PFAS-free water-repellent coating or provide third-party material certifications.
If you buy it
Wash infrequently and use cool water with gentle detergent to extend water-repellent coating life and minimize any chemical leaching during care. Do not dry-clean or tumble-dry on high heat, as heat can degrade polymer coatings and potentially release volatile compounds. Inspect seams and coating annually; re-treat with an aftermarket PFAS-free water-repellent coating product if water beads poorly. Consider contacting Quiksilver directly to request water-repellent coating chemistry disclosure before purchase as a consumer signal.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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 Sage 1.5 Mercury Jacket?
- Wool blend with synthetic fill (likely polyester)
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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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- 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.
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.