PFAS in Hunting Gear: Safe Camouflage and Outerwear Alternatives

You have probably spent real effort getting PFAS out of your kitchen. Maybe you swapped your cookware or installed a water filter. But if you hunt, your camo jacket might be putting those same chemicals right back on your skin.

The durable water repellent (DWR) coatings on most hunting outerwear are made with PFAS, the “forever chemicals” that have been showing up in everything from nonstick pans to municipal water supplies. You wear this stuff for hours, sometimes all day, in rain and sweat. That matters.

For more on PFAS-free living, see our guide to PFAS Free Cookware and PFAS free pillows.

Where PFAS show up in hunting clothing and gear

Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives has confirmed that PFAS exposure from consumer products adds to your body’s overall chemical load. For hunters, the exposure is concentrated in a few gear categories:

Your waterproof jacket is probably the biggest source. Most hunting rain gear and insulated shells use PFAS-based DWR coatings, and these are the garments that sit against your skin the longest during a full-day hunt.

Camo pants and base layers are another one. Stain-resistant and water-repellent treatments on hunting pants often rely on PFAS chemistry, even when the label does not mention it.

Waders and boots tend to have PFAS in their waterproof membranes. Same goes for hunting gloves and gaiters, especially anything marketed as “all-weather” or “waterproof.” And the soft gear bags and packs that hold everything? Water-resistant coatings on hunting packs, gun cases, and soft-sided organizers can contain PFAS too.

PFAS accumulate in the body faster than they clear out. So when you are wearing treated clothing against your skin for eight or ten hours straight, each hunt adds a little more to what is already there.

How to tell if your hunting gear has PFAS

You cannot tell by looking at it, and most labels will not say “contains PFAS.” But there are some reliable shortcuts.

The biggest red flag is any marketing language around water repellency that does not specifically say “fluorine-free.” If a jacket says “DWR treated” or “water-repellent” without that qualifier, assume it uses PFAS until the manufacturer tells you otherwise. Older hunting outerwear made before 2020 is especially likely to have PFAS-based coatings.

Third-party certifications help. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and bluesign both restrict PFAS, so products carrying those labels are a safer bet.

Natural fiber alternatives bypass the issue entirely. Waxed cotton, untreated wool, and oilskin have been keeping hunters dry for centuries. No synthetic coatings needed.

Polyurethane-coated rain gear is another solid option. Brands like Frogg Toggs make rain suits with polyurethane waterproofing instead of PFAS-based DWR, and they are affordable.

The PFAS Free Life Database maintains a list of verified clean products if you want to check specific brands.

PFAS-free hunting gear that actually works

The alternatives are better than they used to be. Here is what to look at:

Waxed cotton and oilskin jackets repel water naturally. They are heavier than a synthetic shell, but they are durable, quiet in the field, and completely free of chemical coatings.

Wool base layers and mid-layers insulate even when wet, which is exactly what you need on a cold, rainy morning hunt. No DWR treatment required.

Frogg Toggs and similar brands offer polyurethane-coated rain gear that keeps you dry without PFAS. These tend to be lightweight and packable, which is a bonus if you are walking in.

Patagonia has committed to transitioning away from PFAS across their product lines, and their newer outdoor pieces use fluorine-free DWR. Worth checking their hunting and fishing outerwear if you are willing to spend a little more.

For footwear, the KEEN Targhee III Waterproof Hiking Boot (Men’s) uses a fluorine-free waterproofing system. It holds up well on rugged terrain and works for hunters who walk in to their spots.

Practical ways to cut your PFAS exposure on hunts

You do not need to replace everything at once. Start with the gear that touches the most skin for the longest time and work from there.

Replace your waterproof jacket first. It has the largest surface area against your body and you wear it all day. When your current one wears out, swap to something with PFC-free DWR or a polyurethane coating.

Wash new hunting clothing before you wear it. A first wash can reduce surface chemical loads from manufacturing treatments.

Pack your field lunch in glass or stainless steel containers instead of soft cooler bags with treated linings. Our guide to PFAS free food storage bags covers good options for this.

If you cook your harvest at home, it is worth checking your cookware too. Our PFAS free cookware guide covers what to look for.

The PFAS Free Life Database tracks verified clean products across hundreds of categories, so you can check back whenever you are ready to swap out the next piece of gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my hunting gear contains PFAS?

There is no simple at-home test. The best indicator is the marketing language on the product: anything that says “water-repellent,” “stain-guard,” or “DWR” without specifying fluorine-free treatment probably uses PFAS. Hunting outerwear made before 2020 is especially likely to contain it. Certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or bluesign mean PFAS has been excluded. You can also search the PFAS Free Life Database for verified products.

Are PFAS-free hunting jackets as waterproof as traditional ones?

For most hunting conditions, yes. Polyurethane-coated rain gear keeps you dry in steady rain. Waxed cotton and oilskin have been protecting hunters from the elements for generations. Fluorine-free DWR treatments have also gotten much better in recent years and handle normal field conditions well. The main trade-off is that some fluorine-free options may not bead water as aggressively in prolonged heavy downpours, but for typical hunts they do the job.

Can PFAS in hunting clothing be absorbed through the skin?

Research indicates that skin absorption is a real exposure pathway, particularly with clothing worn for long stretches in warm or wet conditions. Sweat can accelerate the release of PFAS from treated fabrics. The risk from any single hunt is low, but repeated exposure over years of wearing PFAS-treated gear adds to your cumulative body burden. Washing hunting clothes before first use and choosing fluorine-free alternatives are two easy ways to reduce it.

*Research reference: Environmental Health Perspectives 2020

Environmental Science & Technology 2019*