The North Face · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
The North Face Men's Quest Triclimate Jacket
water-repellent coating-treated jacket. The North Face does not disclose PFAS status.
Quest Triclimate uses polyester with water-resistant treatment, typical water-repellent coating application. No brand disclosure on PFAS chemistry or testing available.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester outer shell with water-repellent coating finish
Lab data
No public lab test
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What The North Face Men's Quest Jacket is made of, ingredients and materials
The Quest Triclimate uses a polyester outer shell (likely 100% polyester or polyester-nylon blend) treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on long-chain PFAS (perfluorocarbons) to achieve water shedding; many manufacturers have transitioned to shorter-chain or non-fluorinated alternatives, but The North Face does not publicly disclose which chemistry is used in this model. Polyester itself is chemically stable in normal wear and does not leach plasticizers or BPA, making the fabric base lower concern for those specific contaminants. The primary concern is the water-repellent coating treatment, not the polyester fiber.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester garments may contain residual formaldehyde from dyes or flame-retardant finishes applied during manufacturing. The North Face does not disclose finished-product formaldehyde testing. Typical exposure in properly finished and rinsed jackets is minimal, but sensitivity can occur with direct skin contact in the first few wears.
Source, ATSDR ↗Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from water-repellent coating and dyes
New polyester jackets may emit low levels of VOCs from the water-repellent coating finish and dyes during initial storage and early wear, particularly if stored in sealed packaging. This is temporary (usually dissipates within days of airing) and not hazardous at typical household exposure levels, but may trigger sensitivity in chemically sensitive individuals.
Degradation and migration of water-repellent coating additives over time
Water-repellent coating coatings break down with use and washing, releasing fluorinated or other chemical additives into wash water and potentially into skin microabrasions. The extent and safety profile depend entirely on the specific water-repellent coating chemistry used, which The North Face does not disclose, preventing accurate hazard assessment.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No specific recalls or testing results are on record for The North Face Quest line. Standard industry controls and EU/US dye regulations make heavy-metal-laden dyes unlikely in mainstream products from this brand, though independent testing is not publicly available.
Source, FDA ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony (a catalyst used in polyester production) can remain in finished fiber at low levels. No evidence suggests The North Face uses problematic antimony levels; modern production controls keep residual antimony well below safety thresholds, and skin contact is not a recognized exposure route.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not published a detailed PFAS policy or public commitment to eliminate legacy PFAS from water-repellent coating finishes. The brand does not disclose the specific chemistry of waterproofing treatments on product pages or sustainability reports available to consumers. This silence is notable given that competitors like Patagonia and Arc'teryx have begun transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry or committed to alternatives with lower PFAS concern. The lack of disclosure makes it impossible to determine whether this jacket uses legacy PFAS, newer fluorinated compounds, or fluorine-free water repellents.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream three-layer insulated jackets from major brands (Columbia, Salomon, Marmot) rely on water-repellent coating finishes with similar transparency gaps. Some smaller or specialty brands now explicitly market PFAS-free water-repellent coating or use wax-based water resistance. The North Face's market position and price point (typically USD 200-300) do not command the premium associated with fully transparent or PFAS-free alternatives, placing it in the middle of the category for disclosed safety. If PFAS exposure from clothing is a personal priority, this product does not meet that threshold.
If you buy it
Wash infrequently in cold water with mild detergent and air dry; do not use fabric softener, which can degrade water-repellent coating performance and potentially mobilize coating components. Do not dry-clean, as solvents may alter the water-repellent coating layer. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct heat or high-temperature machine drying, which can accelerate coating wear and migration of additives. Replace the water-repellent coating treatment via commercial re-proofing sprays every 1-2 years if water beading diminishes noticeably; choose non-PFAS re-treatment products if PFAS is a concern.
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
- The North Face has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to The North Face Men's Quest Triclimate Jacket?
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- 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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- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- 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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