Volcom · Ski & Snowboard Jackets
Volcom Tester 3L Gore-Tex Jacket Men's
Gore-Tex jackets historically used PFAS in water-repellent coating or Volcom lacks public PFAS disclosure or ask before buying.
This jacket pairs Gore-Tex with a water-repellent coating finish, a combination historically reliant on PFAS-based treatments. Volcom makes no public statement about PFAS, though Gore-Tex parent company committed to phasing them out.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Gore-Tex membrane with fabric shell (water-repellent coating-treated)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Volcom Tester 3L Gore-Tex Jacket Men's is made of, ingredients and materials
The Volcom Tester 3L uses a Gore-Tex membrane laminated to a fabric shell, with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the outer layer. Gore-Tex itself is Teflon-type coating-based (polytetrafluoroethylene), which is chemically stable in normal wear. The water-repellent coating treatment is the primary chemical concern, historically, Gore-Tex jackets relied on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) to achieve water repellency, though Gore has moved toward fluorine-free alternatives in some product lines. Volcom has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating formulation this specific model uses.
What’s concerning
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Teflon-type coating (Gore-Tex membrane) thermal decomposition
Gore-Tex membrane itself is chemically inert under normal wear. Risk exists only if the jacket is exposed to high heat (>350°C / 660°F) such as near fire or in a dryer; normal skiing and laundering do not reach these temperatures. Avoid machine drying and direct heat sources.
water-repellent coating finish durability and reapplication exposure
Over 3-5 years, the water-repellent coating naturally degrades and water beading decreases. Consumer-grade water-repellent coating reapplication sprays and washes often contain fluorinated compounds themselves. If you reapply water-repellent coating, research the product's chemical composition; fluorine-free alternatives are becoming available but less common.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Polyester and nylon shells shed microfibers during washing, particularly in the first 5-10 washes. This is not specific to Volcom but inherent to synthetic ski jackets. Use a washing machine microfiber filter bag or filter if concerned about aquatic microplastic pollution.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Gore-Tex laminates and polyester blends used in ski jacket shells can contain trace formaldehyde from fabric finishing or adhesives. No specific recalls or test reports for Volcom jackets document this. Wash before first wear to reduce any residual finishes.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in colored shells
Volcom jackets are typically dyed with modern synthetic dyes. No known use of banned azo dyes (which produce carcinogenic amines) has been reported for this brand or Gore-Tex partners. Color fastness testing is standard in the industry.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Volcom, owned by Authentic Brands Group, has not released a public PFAS policy or material transparency statement for apparel. The brand does not publish chemical composition data for its jackets on product pages or in response to consumer inquiries based on available public records. This lack of disclosure is common in the action sports industry but limits your ability to confirm whether fluorine-free water-repellent coating was used. No significant chemical-related recalls or safety violations are on record for Volcom outerwear.
How it compares in its category
Ski jackets at Volcom's price point typically use Gore-Tex and conventional fluorinated water-repellent coating, making this jacket standard for the segment. Brands like Patagonia and Arc'teryx have begun labeling fluorine-free water-repellent coating or publishing PFAS commitments; Volcom does not. The 3L construction (membrane plus two fabric layers) offers good durability but does not differ chemically from competitors. If PFAS exposure is a concern for you, this product offers less transparency than leading alternatives.
If you buy it
Wash infrequently to preserve the water-repellent coating finish and minimize chemical leaching into water. Use cool water and mild detergent; avoid hot water and fabric softeners, which can damage the Gore-Tex bond and water-repellent coating. Air dry completely away from direct heat (never machine dry or iron). Expect water-repellent coating to degrade after 3-5 years or 40-60 wash cycles; re-application products exist but add additional chemicals. Contact Volcom directly before purchase to ask which water-repellent coating chemistry this specific model uses; transparent brands will answer.
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
- Volcom has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More ski & snowboard 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.