Nubuck Suede & Fabric Waterproofer
Skip this waterproofer; brand won't reveal PFAS chemistry.
The North Face waterproofer spray contains no PFAS information from the brand. water-repellent coating treatments traditionally use PFAS, though alternatives now exist.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
water-repellent coating-treated nubuck suede and fabric coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
The North Face has not disclosed PFAS-free certification for this product. water-repellent coating waterproofers in this price and performance tier almost universally use fluorinated chemistry. PFAS accumulates in soil and water with each application and wash.
Source, ATSDR ↗Inhalation risk from spray aerosol
Improper application indoors or in confined spaces may expose lungs to fine particulate matter and volatile components of the formulation. Use only outdoors or in well-ventilated areas to minimize respiratory exposure.
Nubuck finish degradation from product buildup
Suede and nubuck are delicate naps that can become stiff or discolored if waterproofer is applied too heavily or unevenly. Light, even coats and spot testing on hidden areas are standard practice to preserve texture and appearance.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No specific testing or recalls document formaldehyde or high-VOC content in this North Face product. Modern aerosol waterproofers typically use low-VOC propellants, but formulation data is not publicly available for independent verification.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Waterproof coatings for fabric do not typically include pigments or colorants that would introduce lead or cadmium. No public health warnings or recalls have been issued for this product class.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) spray coating applied to nubuck suede and woven fabrics. water-repellent coating treatments historically rely on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) to create water-beading properties that last through wear. The North Face has not publicly committed to PFAS-free alternatives for this product line, and the brand's silence on formulation chemistry suggests conventional fluorinated water-repellent coating is likely present. Nubuck itself is leather with a fine nap finish; the risk from the fabric substrate is minimal, but the coating chemistry is the concern.
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has made incremental sustainability statements but has not published independent water-repellent coating chemistry disclosure for consumer products. The brand has not signed the Cradle to Cradle or PFC-Free certification for this waterproofer line. No product-specific PFAS recalls or regulatory warnings exist on record, but the absence of disclosure is itself a red flag in an industry where competitors (Arc'teryx, Patagonia) have committed to PFAS-phase-out roadmaps. The North Face's silence on this product specifically contrasts with their parent company VF Corp's 2025 PFC reduction pledge, suggesting legacy formulations may remain in stock.
How it compares in its category
Suede and fabric waterproofers span a wide hazard spectrum. Paraffin-based and silicone-based alternatives exist but are less durable; most commercial sprays still use short-chain PFAS as the de facto standard for performance. The North Face product is typical in this regard, neither worse nor better than unnamed competitors. If PFAS avoidance is your priority, certified PFAS-free options (Nikwax TX Direct, some Sawyer treatments) exist but require more frequent reapplication and work better on synthetic fabrics than suede.
If you buy it
Apply in a well-ventilated outdoor space or garage to avoid inhaling aerosol particles; do not spray indoors. Allow garments to dry fully (2-4 hours) before wearing. The coating degrades with abrasion and washing; reapply every 6-12 months or when water no longer beads visibly on the fabric. Do not use heat to accelerate drying, as this may affect both the nubuck nap and coating adhesion. Store the spray can upright in a cool place and away from direct sunlight; dispose of empty cans according to local aerosol regulations.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Fabric Stain Guard Sprays
Nikwax
Waterproofing Wax for Leather
wax-based waterproofing
Respiratory irritation or fume inhalation during application
Limited concern
PFAS
Moderate concern
A water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Timberland
Waximum Waxed Leather Protector
Wax-based leather protector
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from solvents
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Skin sensitization from undisclosed additives
Limited concern
Wax coating lower concern than synthetic waterproofing, but unconfirmed.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Angelus
Mink Oil Paste Leather Waterproofer and Contitioner 3 oz
mink oil paste, natural oil-based conditioner
Microbial growth (natural oil rancidity)
Limited concern
Skin sensitization (mink oil allergenicity)
Limited concern
Lower concern; natural oil product unlikely to contain PFAS but unverified.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More fabric stain guard sprays 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.