Rapha Core Cycling Rain Men Jacket
water-repellent coating likely uses PFAS; no PFAS disclosure from brand.
Rapha does not disclose PFAS content or water-repellent coating chemistry. Performance rain jackets typically rely on fluorinated water-repellent treatments, though some brands now offer PFAS-free alternatives. Request specific coating details from Rapha before purchase.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Rapha Core Cycling Rain Men Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
This jacket is nylon with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. water-repellent coating finishes on technical apparel historically rely on PFAS chemicals (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to achieve water resistance without adding bulk. Nylon itself is stable, but the coating is where chemical leaching and skin contact concerns arise, especially with friction from wear or repeated washing.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
PFAS
Standard nylon water-repellent coating finishes use PFAS; Rapha's silence on ingredients and lack of PFAS-free certification strongly suggest this product contains legacy fluorinated compounds. Direct skin contact and release during wear and washing is plausible.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon textiles may use formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or dimensional stability. Rapha does not disclose finishes; no independent testing of this specific product is on record.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes (if product is dyed dark colors)
Rapha Core jackets are typically dark (black, navy). Azo dyes can break down to release aromatic amines under sweat and friction; testing not disclosed by brand.
Coating migration during laundering
Washing nylon water-repellent coating garments releases water-repellent chemicals into wastewater. Repeated laundering gradually reduces coating integrity and chemical leaching into skin-contact areas.
Microfiber shedding (nylon degradation)
Nylon jackets shed microfibers during wear and washing, particularly as the water-repellent coating degrades. No specific data for this product, but inherent to the material class.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Rapha has not publicly committed to PFAS-free water-repellent coating or disclosed what chemicals are used in their water-repellent coatings. The brand markets performance and durability but remains silent on chemical composition. No major recalls or documented safety incidents are on record for this product, but lack of transparency is a significant gap compared to competitors offering PFAS-free certifications (e.g., Patagonia, Arc'teryx Atom series).
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream performance cycling jackets (Shimano, Pearl Izumi, Endura) use PFAS-based water-repellent coating as standard. Rapha's pricing and materials are typical for the segment. However, an increasing number of premium brands now offer PFAS-free or clearly disclosed alternatives, making Rapha's silence less defensible. If chemical transparency matters to you, this product sits below emerging industry leaders on that metric.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cold water and avoid fabric softener, which accelerates coating degradation and may release leachates. Air-dry only; heat (tumble dryer, direct sunlight) can degrade the water-repellent coating layer and increase migration of surface chemicals. Expect the water-repellent coating to degrade within 1-2 years of regular use; reapplication products typically also contain PFAS. Replace or seek re-coating alternatives when water no longer beads on the fabric.
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
- Rapha has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Cycling Rain Jackets
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- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- water-repellent coating chemistry opacity (fluorinated vs. non-fluorinated)
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Find an alternative on AmazonMore cycling rain 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.