Specialized · Cycling Rain Jackets
Specialized Race Series Rain Jacket men
Rain jacket with unspecified water-repellent coating treatment, PFAS details unavailable.
Specialized does not publicly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or PFAS content for this jacket. Standard rain apparel water-repellent coating finishes often use PFAS; verify directly with brand before purchase.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester with water-repellent coating treatment (brand/type unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Specialized Race Series Rain Jacket men is made of, ingredients and materials
This jacket is polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish, but Specialized has not disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry is used. Historically, most rain apparel water-repellent coating treatments relied on PFOA or other fluorinated compounds, though some brands have shifted to non-fluorinated alternatives. Without transparency from Specialized, the specific fluorine burden of this garment cannot be verified. Polyester itself is stable and does not leach chemicals during normal wear, but the surface treatment is the primary concern.
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
Unspecified water-repellent coating treatment on polyester rain jacket; historical industry reliance on fluorinated repellents suggests possible PFAS content, though newer formulations may use non-fluorinated chemistry. Specialized's silence prevents verification.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester production can involve formaldehyde-releasing resins in dyes or finishing processes. No specific testing data for this jacket model is available; risk is low during wear but relevant if garment is stored unwashed for extended periods.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding
Polyester garments shed microfibers in the wash, especially if the water-repellent coating degrades. This is a laundry-water concern rather than a wearer hazard, but relevant to environmental impact. Using a microfiber-catching wash bag can reduce shedding.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes
No evidence of banned azo dyes in Specialized apparel or polyester rain jackets from major brands. Standard industry practice now avoids the most problematic azo compounds, but Specialized provides no dye certification.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester production but does not leach during normal wear or washing. No evidence of elevated antimony in Specialized apparel; this is a manufacturing-stage concern now well-controlled across major brands.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Specialized is primarily known for bicycles and cycling gear but does not publish detailed chemical transparency reports or restricted substance lists for apparel. The company has not made public commitments to phase out PFAS in textiles or disclosed testing data for this rain jacket. This silence on water-repellent coating specifics is common in cycling apparel but leaves consumers without verifiable safety information. No major recalls or documented chemical incidents involving Specialized apparel have surfaced in public records.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-range performance rain jackets (Patagonia, Arc'teryx, The North Face) now label their water-repellent coating as fluorine-free or use defined low-PFAS chemistries; Specialized's refusal to specify puts it behind category leaders on transparency. Budget rain jackets often make no claims at all, so this product sits in an unclear middle ground. Polyester as a base fabric is standard and not a differentiator; the water-repellent coating treatment is what separates lower concern from higher concern options in this category.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with minimal detergent and avoid fabric softener, which can degrade the water-repellent coating anyway. Do not dry-clean; if the water repellency fades after a few seasons, consider replacing rather than trying to re-treat at home (commercial re-treatments often re-apply unknown PFAS). Air-dry away from direct heat or radiators. If PFAS exposure is a priority concern, contact Specialized directly to request water-repellent coating specification before purchase, or choose a brand with published fluorine-free claims.
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
- Specialized has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Specialized Race Series Rain Jacket men?
- polyester shell with water-repellent coating finish
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Azo dyes and color fastness
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water treatment
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- PFAS
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating finish
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- water-repellent coating chemistry opacity (fluorinated vs. non-fluorinated)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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.