A raincoat is a necessity for traveling or if you live in a wet climate. However , many raincoats on the market today use PFAS (per- plus polyfluoroalkyl substances, also called PFCS) in the production of their raincoats in order to make them waterproof or water repellent. Often called “ forever chemicals, ” PFAS don’t break down naturally and are linked to cancer and other health problems. PFAS have been found in coating for cookware, fabrics, and chemical containers, and can persist within the environment for long amounts of time and bioaccumulate in living organisms. Although there’s much we still don’t know about these substances, more and more people prefer to avoid them.

Luckily, some outdoor gear brands have broken away from using PFAS in the production of their outerwear, plus have instead found alternatives to make raincoats waterproof.

We researched the market deeply to find the best eco-friendly raincoats.

What to Look for When Shopping for an Eco-Friendly Raincoat

Materials

A key consideration is in order to avoid here is PFAS, also known as PFCS. These are the “forever chemicals” that don’t break down over time and can accumulate within the atmosphere. Sustainable brands that don’t use these chemicals are typically eager to advertise the fact, so look for products that note they are free of PFAS, PFCS, and/or fluorocarbon. Garments that list durable water repellent (DWR) treatment usually contain PFAS.

Other sustainable materials to look for include recycled fabrics and even organic cotton . It’s also important to find out whether your jacket is fully waterproof, or water-repellent. Sometimes you can get away with something that’s not fully waterproof, depending on what you’re doing in the jacket, but always check before purchasing.  

Style

If you need a raincoat for day-to-day life together with simple activities like running errands or a quick walk to the particular post office, you’ll more than likely want a raincoat that has more basic features than say, a raincoat that is built with regard to long hikes in the rain. Oftentimes, outside raincoats along with more technical features will also be more expensive, such as covered or two-way zippers and additionally drawcords at the wait and wrists. So, if you only need a raincoat for moderate rain actions, you might want not need the heavy-duty raincoat built to be able to withstand hard, nonstop rainfall for lengthy periods of time. The style associated with a daily raincoat is also going to be different, and might feature things like buttons instead of a waterproof zipper, for example. Be sure to purchase something that fits your needs.  

Suppliers not to mention Manufacturing

Sustainable materials are usually super important to search for when shopping for a new raincoat, we also consider exactly what suppliers companies partner together with, and where and how they’re manufacturing their own products. Look for a sustainability report on typically the company’s website, or a code of conduct that shows what suppliers are required to have before performing business using the company. Certifications are also essential to look for.

It’s furthermore good for you to look regarding trustworthy sustainability certifications , like Bluesign, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Responsible Wool Regular (RWS), and also OEKO-Tex standards.

Why Trust Treehugger?

To choose this best raincoats for this article, we consulted dozens of customer and third-party reviews, as well as researched company sustainability initiatives, considering each raincoat’s functionality, sustainability, and style.

This article was written by Amanda Ogle , who is a new sustainability reporter for Treehugger. She will be a veteran journalist who researches sustainable materials, practices, businesses, and technology in order to write honest reviews for Treehugger.