Spyder · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Spyder Men's Taos Shell Jacket
Waterproof apparel; PFAS use in water-repellent coating typical but unconfirmed for this model.
Spyder does not disclose PFAS or water-repellent coating chemistry for this jacket. Polyester shells commonly receive PFAS-based water repellent treatments, though some brands now use alternatives.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Spyder Men's Taos Shell Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
The Taos Shell is a polyester-based synthetic jacket with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the outer layer. Polyester itself is stable and does not leach chemicals under normal wear. The water-repellent coating treatment is the chemical concern, traditional water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor apparel typically rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS variants) to repel water, though Spyder has not publicly disclosed whether this specific model uses PFAS-free alternatives or conventional fluorinated water-repellent coating.
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.
Polyester fiber degradation and microfiber shedding
All polyester garments shed microfibers during washing and wear; the Taos' shell construction may shed more during abrasion in high-stress areas (seams, collar). Microfiber accumulation in wastewater is documented, though human inhalation or ingestion risk from wearing is minimal.
PFAS
If Spyder used paraffin or other non-fluorinated water-repellent coating alternatives, residual treatment chemicals could potentially off-gas minimally during storage or use; exposure via skin contact or inhalation is low under normal wear, but not quantified for this specific product.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Dye fixative or finish compounds (azo dyes)
No public reports of restricted azo dyes or formaldehyde-based resins in Spyder polyester jackets. Polyester dyeing typically uses stable disperse dyes with low migration risk, but Spyder provides no fiber testing certification.
Antimony in polyester catalyst residue
Polyester is synthesized with antimony trioxide as a catalyst; residual antimony in finished fabric is typically below regulatory concern (< 250 ppm). No testing data is publicly available for Spyder jackets, but this is a low-priority concern for apparel worn on skin rather than ingested.
Flame retardants
No evidence that Spyder adds flame retardants to this shell jacket. Polyester is inherently flame-resistant due to its polymer structure and does not require additional treatment for apparel compliance.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Spyder has not published comprehensive chemical disclosure policies or publicly committed to PFAS phase-out in apparel, despite parent company Wolverine Industries (which owns multiple outdoor brands) facing PFAS scrutiny. The brand remains silent on whether individual jackets, including the Taos model, use PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments. No recalls or safety violations specific to Spyder outerwear have been established in public records. This lack of transparency is a weak point compared to outdoor brands that have adopted PFAS-free water-repellent coating labeling.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-range polyester shell jackets from Spyder's competitors (Arc'teryx, Patagonia, The North Face) similarly use water-repellent coating treatments, though a growing subset now specify paraffin-based or other water-repellent coating options not linked to PFAS concerns. The Taos sits in the typical market position, effective waterproofing at the cost of potential PFAS exposure during manufacturing and disposal, without brand transparency. Jackets marketed explicitly as PFAS-free water-repellent coating are available but less common in Spyder's core line.
If you buy it
Wash the jacket separately from other clothing, especially before first wear, to remove loose treatment residues. Use cold water and gentle cycles; avoid high heat drying, which can degrade polyester and reduce water-repellent coating durability. Expect to re-apply water-repellent coating treatment every 1-2 seasons if water beading diminishes. Do not dry-clean, as solvents can interact with water-repellent coating coatings. Store in a cool, dry place away from prolonged direct sunlight to minimize polymer degradation.
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
- Spyder has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Spyder Men's Taos Shell 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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- 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.
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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.