The North Face Men's Antora Jacket
Moderate PFAS risk due to standard water-repellent coating treatment, The North Face does not disclose PFAS avoidance.
The Antora Jacket uses a polyester shell with water-repellent coating typical of modern rain jackets. The North Face has not published commitments to PFAS-free durable water repellency.
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Material
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry
Standard polyester rain jackets almost universally employ PFAS-based water-repellent coating; The North Face has not disclosed whether the Antora uses PFAS-free alternatives. water-repellent coating degrades and must be reapplied, repeating chemical exposure over the garment's lifetime.
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
As water-repellent coating coatings wear and flake off during washing and use, they may shed microscopic particles. The extent of microplastic release from polyester rain jackets is not well quantified, but prolonged shedding into wastewater is plausible with repeated laundering and weathering.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or specific reports of formaldehyde contamination in The North Face Antora. Polyester rain jackets from established brands typically comply with OEKO-TEX or similar standards that limit formaldehyde; however, The North Face does not advertise third-party testing for this product line.
Source: ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and color fastness
The Antora is available in multiple colors; no documented azo dye violations or heavy metal contamination from color pigments specific to this model. The North Face does not disclose dye sourcing or compliance with restricted substance lists (RSLs).
Membrane or backing material leachables
The Antora uses a polyester-based backing or membrane (exact composition not disclosed). No established reports of leaching from The North Face jackets. Polyester backings are generally considered inert under normal wear, but quality control and material sourcing transparency are absent.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Antora uses a polyester shell, which is inherently stable and does not leach BPA, phthalates, or microplastics under normal wear. The critical component is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the fabric surface. water-repellent coating coatings have historically relied on PFAS chemistry to achieve water repellency; The North Face does not publicly specify whether this jacket uses PFAS-based or fluorine-free water-repellent coating formulations. Over time, water-repellent coating coatings degrade and require reapplication, which reintroduces the same chemical exposure cycle.
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not published a formal PFAS elimination roadmap or ingredient transparency for water-repellent coating treatments across its product line. The brand does not provide technical datasheets or third-party certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, bluesign) for the Antora specifically. This silence is typical among mainstream outerwear brands and reflects industry-wide avoidance of chemical disclosure rather than malice, but it leaves consumers without actionable information to differentiate this product from alternatives.
How it compares in its category
The Antora occupies the mid-premium rain jacket segment. Competitors like Arc'teryx and Patagonia similarly use polyester shells with water-repellent coating finishes and also do not routinely disclose PFAS status, though Patagonia has made limited commitments to phasing PFAS in some product lines by specific dates. Budget rain jackets often have thinner coatings that degrade faster, requiring more frequent reapplication and reintroduction of water-repellent coating chemicals. Higher-end alternatives using wax or silicone-based water repellents exist but are less common and typically more expensive.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water with mild detergent and avoid fabric softeners, which compromise water-repellent coating efficacy and may trap chemical residues. Do not machine dry; air dry only, as heat can accelerate water-repellent coating breakdown. Expect to retreat the jacket every 1-2 years of regular use using commercial water-repellent coating products or professional recoating services, each reapplication reintroduces the same chemical exposure. If environmental or personal PFAS exposure is a priority, research fluorine-free water-repellent coating retreat products or consider alternatives with mechanical water barriers (e.g., sealed seams, thicker membranes) that do not rely on chemical repellency.
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
- The North Face 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.