If you've started reading the labels on your performance gear, you've probably run into the same wall: brands rarely disclose whether they use PFAS. The chemicals are in the finish, not the fiber content, and a hangtag full of "DWR" or "water-resistant" language tells you a finish is there — but not what it's made of.
This guide walks through which brands have shown up in independent PFAS testing or low-scoring policy reports, which have publicly committed to phase the chemicals out, and — most importantly — how to verify a brand's current status before you buy. The landscape changes fast, especially since New York and California's PFAS-in-apparel bans took effect on January 1, 2025, so a "list of bad brands" you find online is often already out of date.
A Quick, Honest Answer
There isn't a single, current, authoritative list of "brands that use PFAS." Here's why:
- Most brands don't publish chemistry data per product.
- Independent testing covers a small slice of the market at a single point in time.
- Formulations change — sometimes quietly, sometimes because of a new state law.
- A brand can be PFAS-free in one product line and not another.
What we do have is a body of independent testing, a public policy scorecard, and a wave of recent state bans that has forced many major brands to reformulate. This guide pulls those threads together, names the brands that have shown up in published reports, and gives you a process for checking any brand yourself.
Why PFAS Show Up in Apparel
PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are a class of more than 9,000 synthetic chemicals. They're called "forever chemicals" because the carbon-fluorine bonds at their core don't break down in the environment or in the human body.
Brands use them because they work. PFAS coatings can make a fabric repel water, oil, and stains; they help garments resist "wet-out" in performance apparel; and they extend the useful life of finishes through repeated washes. The trade-off is exposure — through skin contact, indoor air, washing wastewater, and eventual disposal — and the chemicals' persistence in both ecosystems and human bodies.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to PFAS can lead to health effects such as certain types of cancer, hormone disruption, weakened immune system, ulcerative colitis, heightened cholesterol levels, decreases in infant birth weights, changes in liver enzymes, and increased risk of high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia in pregnant women.
That's the core dynamic to understand: any finish marketed for water, stain, or wrinkle resistance has historically had a high probability of relying on PFAS chemistry, regardless of brand. Knowing how to read clothing labels is the first step to catching these claims before you buy.
Categories of Clothing Most Likely to Contain PFAS
Before naming brands, it's worth naming categories — because the category is usually a stronger signal than the brand. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, which now enforces a statewide ban on apparel containing intentionally added PFAS, lists the following as high-risk items: raincoats, ski jackets, jerseys, diapers, onesies, workwear, cycling and running apparel, undergarments, snow pants, fishing apparel, and yoga leggings.
Activewear is one of the fashion industry's most common PFAS culprits. Manufacturers often treat these garments with a type of PFAS called side-chain fluorinated polymers to achieve "sweat wicking" or cooling properties, found in sports bras, workout leggings, yoga pants, and athletic tops. And it's not only sprayed-on finishes: synthetic materials like polyester and nylon can contain trace amounts of PFAS from their own production and finishing processes, even before any coating is applied.
Brands and Product Categories That Have Been Reported in Testing or Coverage
A few important caveats before this section:
- The dates matter. A brand that tested positive for PFAS in 2021 may have a fully reformulated DWR finish today.
- Testing covers products, not brands. A specific style was tested on a specific date. The brand line as a whole may be a mix.
- Policy scores and product testing are different things. A brand can score poorly on its public PFAS policy while still having reformulated specific products, or vice versa.
- Recent bans changed the landscape. Major clothing companies are "pretty much all out of PFAS" for most product lines, according to the Green Science Policy Institute — though that's a directional claim, not a verified product-by-product status.
Outdoor & Performance Apparel
The NRDC, Fashion FWD, and U.S. PIRG Education Fund published a first-of-its-kind scorecard ranking PFAS policy commitments from leading retail and apparel brands. Levi Strauss & Co. earned the highest mark for already eliminating PFAS from its supply chain. However, global brands like Macy's, Nordstrom, and Costco received low or failing marks. Popular outdoor brands largely received poor grades — Columbia Sportswear, REI, Wolverine Worldwide (parent of Wolverine and Merrell), and others received "F"s.
Patagonia earned a "B", the highest score in the outdoor sector, as the only outdoor brand with a commitment to phase out all PFAS in all products by 2024. The North Face received a "D."
Toxic-Free Future's original 2022 product testing, which directly informed that scorecard, found PFAS in most stain- and water-resistant products — including items purchased at REI and other retailers.
Activewear & Athleisure
A consumer study by Mamavation tested 32 athleisure brands in a widely cited 2022 investigation. Some of the brands that tested positive for PFAS include Athleta, Lululemon, LuLaRoe, Old Navy, and Yogalicious. Important context: this testing was conducted before several of these brands updated their chemistry policies, and before the 2025 New York and California bans took effect. Lululemon has since publicly pledged to phase PFAS out.
Mainstream Retail & Fast Fashion
The NRDC scorecard called out Macy's, Nordstrom, Costco, and several other large retailers for low or failing policy scores. That's a policy grade — a measure of public commitments and disclosure — not a finding that a specific item in any of these retailers currently contains PFAS.
Brands That Have Publicly Committed to Phase Out PFAS
The other side of the ledger has grown quickly since 2022:
- Patagonia — As of spring 2025, all membranes and water-repellent finishes are made without PFAS.
- Levi Strauss & Co. — Earned the NRDC scorecard's highest mark for eliminating PFAS from its supply chain.
- PVH (Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger) — Announced plans to phase out all PFAS from its supply chain by 2024.
- American Eagle — Confirmed plans to eliminate all PFAS use by 2024.
- Abercrombie & Fitch — Plans to ensure all PFAS use ended by 2025.
- REI Co-op brand — Announced PFAS-free standards for most textile products by fall 2024.
- L.L. Bean, Lululemon, Eddie Bauer — Pledged to phase out PFAS over a multi-year timeline.
- H&M, Zara, UNIQLO, Bestseller — Have publicly eliminated PFAS finishes and switched to safer DWR treatments.
- prAna — Committed to PFAS-free water-repellent finishes by Fall 2024.
- Jack Wolfskin — Replaced PFAS-based DWR with fluorine-free membranes and coatings.
- W.L. Gore (Gore-Tex) — Plans to transition the vast majority of its consumer portfolio by end of 2025, with new fluorine-free membranes now in Arc'teryx and Patagonia jackets.
The key thing to notice: a public commitment date and a verified PFAS-free product on the shelf today are not the same thing. Some brands missed their own deadlines. Some hit them for certain product lines and not others.
Why Public Brand Lists Can Be Out of Date
If you've gone looking for "brands that use PFAS" lists online, you've probably noticed they don't always agree with each other. There are a handful of reasons.
Independent testing is a snapshot. When a lab tests a garment, it's testing one item from one production run on one date. Many of the most-cited consumer studies were conducted in 2021 or 2022. The 2025 state bans have since pushed reformulations through.
Brand commitments are dated promises, not present-day proof. A 2024 phase-out target was a forecast in 2022 and is supposedly fulfilled by now, but only third-party certification or RSL compliance can really confirm it.
Regulation is changing fast. New York's law bans the sale of apparel containing PFAS as intentionally added chemicals, with exceptions for professional uniforms and some severe-weather gear. California's law covers textile articles more broadly — clothing, upholstery, bags, and bedding. Brands that sell in either state have a strong commercial reason to reformulate, and many already have. Colorado, Washington, Minnesota, and several other states have additional restrictions in various stages of phase-in.
Brand portfolios are messy. A parent company (PVH, Wolverine Worldwide) can include a dozen brands, each with its own supply chain. A scorecard at the parent level doesn't always reflect what's true for every label underneath it.
The category matters more than the logo. Even within a single brand, the soft cotton t-shirt and the waterproof shell jacket are subject to very different chemistry. This is why the most useful question isn't "does Brand X use PFAS?" — it's "is this specific item I'm about to buy free of intentionally added PFAS, as of today?"
How to Verify a Brand's Current PFAS Policy
Here's the process to use, in order of effort.
1. Check the product page for a "PFAS-free" or "PFC-free" claim. Many brands now flag this directly. Look for specific language like "made without intentionally added PFAS," "fluorine-free DWR," or "PFC-free finish." Vague terms like "non-toxic," "natural," or "clean" are unregulated and don't tell you anything verifiable on their own.
2. Look for third-party certifications. Two are particularly useful:
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — Tests the finished garment for over a thousand harmful substances, including regulated PFAS. Each certification has a verification number you can look up at oeko-tex.com.
- Bluesign — Audits chemistry through the manufacturing process. As of January 2025, all Bluesign-approved materials must be free from intentionally added PFAS. GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and the Global Recycled Standard also restrict PFAS.
3. Search for the brand's Restricted Substance List (RSL). Most large apparel companies publish an RSL — a document listing which chemicals they restrict in their products. Search "[brand name] restricted substance list" or "[brand name] chemicals policy." If they have a current RSL that includes PFAS, that's a strong indicator.
4. Check their sustainability or chemistry page. Patagonia, Levi's, REI, and others publish reasonably detailed material disclosures. Smaller brands often link to certifications directly on product pages.
5. Contact customer service. Some questions to use:
- "Is this specific product made with intentionally added PFAS or fluorinated chemistries?"
- "What chemistry is used for the water-repellent finish on this item — is it a fluorine-free DWR?"
- "Is this product certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or Bluesign?"
A confident, specific answer is a good sign. A generic "we comply with all regulations" is not — by the time those regulations bind, the formula may already be in your closet.
Let Wove check for PFAS concerns.
The Wove Score grades clothing A–F based on fiber content, microplastic risk, and PFAS concerns — so you don't have to cross-reference a restricted substance list every time you shop.
Try Wove free →Safer Alternatives for Performance Shoppers
If you don't want to give up rain shells, ski wear, or activewear, there are categories of safer alternatives worth knowing.
Fluorine-free DWR finishes are now widely available. Look for technologies like BIONIC-FINISH ECO, Nikwax, ecorepel, and silicone- or wax-based finishes. They're not yet at parity with legacy PFAS-based DWR for the most demanding alpine use, but for most everyday rainwear they perform well.
Untreated tightly woven natural fibers. Waxed cotton, tightly woven wool, and dense linen will not repel water the way a PFAS-treated synthetic will, but they shed light rain and breathe better. For everyday spring and fall jackets, this is often the best trade-off. Organic cotton and GOTS-certified materials explicitly prohibit PFAS in processing.
New PFAS-free membranes. W.L. Gore debuted a membrane using non-fluorinated materials now found in jackets sold by Arc'teryx and Patagonia. More brands are adopting these as the technology matures.
Layering instead of treating. A merino base layer, a wool mid-layer, and a fluorine-free shell will keep you warm and reasonably dry without a heavy DWR. This is the approach a lot of low-tox-conscious outdoor shoppers default to now. For the items closest to your body — underwear and base layers — prioritizing untreated natural fibers has the biggest impact on daily exposure.
Re-treat at home with PFAS-free sprays. When the water-repellency of your existing jacket wears off, you can reproof it with a fluorine-free spray (Nikwax TX.Direct, for example) instead of buying new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which clothing brand uses the most PFAS?
There isn't a credible ranking of brands by total PFAS volume — that data isn't public. What independent testing has shown is that water- and stain-resistant products from outdoor and athleisure categories have historically been the most likely to contain PFAS, regardless of brand. The 2022 NRDC / Fashion FWD / U.S. PIRG policy scorecard rated several outdoor brands — Columbia, REI, Wolverine, Merrell — with failing grades for their PFAS policies at the time, while Patagonia received the highest grade in the outdoor category.
Does Lululemon contain PFAS?
A 2022 Mamavation consumer investigation reported PFAS detection in items from Athleta, Lululemon, LuLaRoe, Old Navy, and Yogalicious. Lululemon has since publicly pledged to phase PFAS out, and the 2025 New York and California apparel bans now restrict intentionally added PFAS in most apparel sold in those states. To check a specific current item, look for a PFAS-free claim on the product page or contact customer service with the SKU.
Has Patagonia eliminated PFAS?
Patagonia has publicly committed to PFAS-free DWR and membranes. As of spring 2025, Patagonia reports that all of its membranes and water-repellent finishes are made without PFAS. They received the highest grade — a B — among outdoor brands on the 2022 NRDC / Fashion FWD / U.S. PIRG scorecard.
Are there laws banning PFAS in clothing?
Yes. Both New York and California's apparel PFAS restrictions took effect on January 1, 2025. New York's law bans intentionally added PFAS in most apparel, with exemptions for some professional and severe-weather gear. California's law covers textile articles more broadly. Colorado, Washington, Minnesota, and several other states have additional or related restrictions in various stages of phase-in.
How can I tell if my existing clothing contains PFAS?
Check the original product label and marketing language — anything that promised water, stain, oil, or wrinkle resistance has a meaningful probability of containing PFAS, especially if purchased before 2024. As a quick at-home test, drip water on the fabric. If it beads and rolls off, there's a finish present. The bead test can't tell you what the finish is, but combined with the product category and purchase date, it's a useful signal. If you want to know exactly what fibers you're dealing with, Wove can scan the label and give you a breakdown.
Should I throw out my PFAS-treated clothing?
Most experts say no. The risk from wearing an existing PFAS-treated garment is relatively low compared to exposure from drinking water, food packaging, and indoor dust. The pragmatic approach is to wear existing items until they wear out, choose PFAS-free options for replacements, and prioritize swapping out items that touch skin for long periods — especially underwear and base layers — or items used by children.
What's the difference between PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and PFC?
PFAS is the umbrella term for the entire class — over nine thousand compounds. PFOA and PFOS are two specific older PFAS that have been phased out of most U.S. manufacturing but still persist in the environment. "PFC" (perfluorinated chemicals) is an older industry term that overlaps with PFAS and is still used on some product labels. "PFC-free" generally means the same thing as PFAS-free in apparel marketing, but the more specific the label, the better.
How Wove Helps
Wove is the iOS app built to make this kind of check faster. Scan a clothing label and Wove returns an A+ to F grade based on fiber content, microplastic risk, and PFAS concerns — pulling from product disclosures, certifications, and chemistry data so you don't have to do a brand-by-brand investigation every time you shop.
If you're trying to build a low-tox closet without spending your evenings reading restricted substance lists, try Wove — the first scans are on us.