If you’ve felt lately that the world of lightweight rain gear has gotten more confusing than ever, you’re not alone. There have been a lot of shakeups in the industry lately, including stricter environmental standards, supply-chain woes, and substandard performance. One brand manager told me point-blank that rain jackets have become less durable and breathable over the past decade. With increased scrutiny of the chemicals used in high-tech fabrics, it can feel like you need a chemical engineering degree to understand modern raingear and make an informed purchase. We dug into the subject, talking with designers from brands big and small, to get a handle on the state of ultralight raingear.
The PFC Question
In the past several years, chemicals called PFCs or PFAS have been under scrutiny—in the outdoor industry and beyond—for their potential harmful health effects, ranging from liver damage, increased cancer rates, or risk of birth defects. PFCs, or perfluorinated chemicals, are a group of chemicals that are used in many industries as a water-resistant coating. They’re also often referred to as PFAS (or per-…
