What is the purpose of your outdoor clothing? Do you need it for an expedition to the Arctic or for an autumn walk? Clothing to protect people from wind and weather is generally impregnated on the outside and has a membrane lining on the inside. Some manufacturers use membranes that are suitable for most uses. It’s best if you ask the retailer or manufacturer whether the membrane contains hazardous PFC compounds.
There are several alternative coatings and finishes on the market. None of the outdoor material is ‘green chemistry’ because all are made of membranes that will be degraded slowly, if at all. However, none of these materials should end up in landfills or incinerators but should be produced in a closed loop with proper recycling and reuse.
Alternatives to hazardous PFC finishes and coatings are eg. waxes, paraffins (such as ecorepel®), dendrimers (such as Bionic Finish Eco®) and silicones. Alternatives to membranes made using hazardous PFCs are Sympatex, Paltex or Toray, for example. Some outdoor companies, such as Fjällräven, Paramo, Pyua, R’ADYS, Rotauf or Vaude already have entire collections of functional weatherproof clothing that are PFC-free.
Gore’s new PFC-free membranes and coatings will be on the market in the Fall/Winter season 2022. The manufacturers of all alternatives must prove that they are not detrimental to the environment or health. Moreover, clothing that is worn for a long time is more ecological. It may also make sense to buy things second hand.