Rab Men's Phantom Mountain Waterproof Jacket
Higher PFAS risk due to waterproof treatment or Rab does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry.
This jacket uses a water-repellent coating finish, but Rab doesn't specify whether it contains PFAS or alternatives. Waterproof outerwear historically relies on fluorinated coatings, though some brands switched to non-PFAS alternatives.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyamide with water-repellent coating finish (treatment unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Rab Men's Phantom Mountain Waterproof is made of, ingredients and materials
The Phantom jacket is constructed from polyamide (nylon) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Polyamide itself is a stable synthetic polymer with low leaching risk under normal wear. The water-repellent coating treatment is the critical variable, conventional water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on long-chain PFAS (PFOA, PFOS), though modern alternatives exist. Rab does not publicly specify which water-repellent coating chemistry is used on this model, making independent assessment of chemical composition impossible.
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 chemical leaching (unspecified chemistry)
Rab does not disclose whether this jacket uses legacy PFAS-based water-repellent coating or newer alternatives. Waterproof finishes can leach during washing or sweat contact. Without confirmation of chemistry, assume possible PFAS exposure (covered separately at 20/100 grade).
Polyamide (nylon) microplastic shedding
Polyamide fibers shed microplastics, particularly when rubbed, washed repeatedly, or if the jacket is worn until degradation. Normal ski jacket wear causes minor shedding; machine washing accelerates this. The risk is proportional to garment lifespan and washing frequency.
Coating degradation and secondary exposure
Over time, polyamide-based water-repellent coating finishes crack and peel. Degraded coatings may release particles or concentrated residues. Visible flaking or loss of water repellency signals end-of-life; continued wear after this point increases dermal and inhalation exposure to loose coating material.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or documented cases of heavy metal contamination in Rab apparel are on record. Polyamide dyes are typically low-risk, but independent testing data for this specific product is not publicly available.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyamide typically does not require formaldehyde-based finishes. The water-repellent coating layer may contain small amounts in some formulations, but no public evidence of formaldehyde release from Rab jackets exists.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Rab is a UK-based outdoor apparel company with a solid reputation for durability and performance. However, the brand has not published detailed material disclosure statements, chemical restriction lists, or PFAS phase-out commitments comparable to competitors like Patagonia or Arc'teryx. No major recalls or documented contamination incidents are on record for Rab jackets, but the lack of transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry is notable given industry-wide scrutiny of waterproof treatments.
How it compares in its category
Most premium ski jackets use polyamide or polyester with water-repellent coating finishes; Rab's approach is standard. Competitors differ sharply in transparency, some (e.g., Patagonia) explicitly disclose PFAS-free alternatives, while others remain silent like Rab. Polyamide itself is preferred over PVC-coated fabrics because it resists degradation better, reducing microplastic shedding risk. Without water-repellent coating chemistry disclosure, this jacket sits in the middle tier for safety messaging but offers no competitive advantage in chemical clarity.
If you buy it
Wash infrequently in cool water with mild detergent to preserve the water-repellent coating layer and minimize any leaching from the finish. Do not dry-clean, as solvents may degrade the coating. Avoid prolonged heat (dryer, direct sunlight) which can accelerate polymer and coating breakdown. Replace the jacket if visible delamination, cracking, or heavy discoloration appears, as this signals coating failure and loss of water repellency. Store dry in a cool place away from direct light.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Rab 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.