The Best PFAS-Free Running Jackets

By Scott Douglas | Outside | February 27, 2024

Read the full article by Scott Douglas (Outside)

"There’s a problem with a lot of waterproof garments—they contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Also known as forever chemicals, PFAS are linked to cancer, liver and kidney damage, and other health problems.

But forever chemicals’ time may be limited. A California law that will go into effect on January 1, 2025 bans the manufacture, sale, and distribution of textiles containing PFAS levels of more than 100 parts per million. Given that California’s economy is the fifth largest in the world, the law will force apparel manufacturers to phase out PFAS. The California legislation does provide a reprieve until 2028 for “outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions,” which presumably includes the subject of this article: running jackets. Still, expect companies to act sooner rather than later.

If you’re in the market for a waterproof PFAS-free running jacket, however, you don’t have to wait. There are many good options available now. Over the past few months I’ve tested 16 PFAS-free jackets during more than 300 miles of running. I sought a just-right combination of water repellency, breathability, and ease of movement (neither so tight that my arm swing feels constricted nor so loose that the jacket billowed). I’ve rounded up my top three jackets below. But first, a little more background on PFAS in apparel."

This content provided by the PFAS Project.