PFAS Free Waterproof Winter Gloves: Safe Options for Cold Weather

Your winter gloves keep your hands warm, but they might also be giving you a dose of forever chemicals every time you pull them on. PFAS-based DWR (durable water repellent) treatments have been the industry standard for making gloves waterproof, and that means the fabric you’re pressing against your skin for hours at a time could contain the same chemicals that are contaminating drinking water across the country.

The good news? You don’t have to choose between warm, dry hands and avoiding PFAS. Fluorine-free waterproofing has come a long way, and several brands now make winter gloves that skip the forever chemicals entirely.

For a broader look at PFAS in winter gear, check out our guide to PFAS-free snowboard jackets and pants and the full PFAS vs PTFE explainer.

What’s Inside

• Why Winter Gloves Contain PFAS
• The Skin Contact Factor
• PFAS-Free Winter Gloves Worth Trying
• How to Choose Safe Winter Gloves
• Frequently Asked Questions

Why Winter Gloves Contain PFAS

Waterproof gloves need to do two things well: block moisture from the outside and let sweat vapor escape from the inside. Traditional manufacturers solve this with a PFAS-based DWR coating on the outer shell, and sometimes a PTFE membrane (like older GORE-TEX) sandwiched between layers. Both of these use per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

The DWR coating is the bigger concern for direct exposure. It sits on the outside surface of the glove, right where your skin touches when you pull them on and off. Research published in Environmental Health Perspectives has found that PFAS can transfer through dermal contact, and gloves create a particularly warm, moist environment that may increase absorption.

The Skin Contact Factor

This is worth highlighting because it sets gloves apart from other outerwear. Your hands are in near-constant contact with the interior lining, and when you take gloves off to check your phone or grab a snack, your fingers touch the DWR-treated outer shell directly. Kids are even more likely to put gloved hands near their mouths or rub their faces.

That’s not a reason to panic, but it’s a solid reason to prioritize PFAS-free options for gloves over, say, a waterproof duffel bag that rarely touches skin. The closer the product is to your body, the more the chemical treatment matters.

PFAS-Free Winter Gloves Worth Trying

Finding gloves that explicitly state “PFAS-free” is harder than finding jackets with that label. The outdoor glove market lags behind outerwear on transparency. Here are the best options available right now:

1. Jan & Jul Toasty-Dry Waterproof Snow Gloves (Kids) - Jan & Jul has built its entire kids’ outerwear line around being PFAS-free. These gloves use a fluorine-free waterproof coating, fleece lining for warmth, and extended cuffs that tuck into jacket sleeves. A great pick for keeping little hands safe on the slopes or in the backyard.

2. Dakine Men’s Red Gerard Beacon Jacket - While shopping for PFAS-free gloves, consider matching them with a PFAS-free jacket. Dakine’s entire outerwear line has gone fluorine-free, and they carry PFAS-free gloves and mittens in their seasonal lineup as well.

3. Dakine Women’s Stoker GORE-TEX 3L Bib - Part of Dakine’s bluesign-certified, PFAS-free line. If you’re building a full PFAS-free winter kit, starting with a brand that has committed across their entire product range makes it easier to stay consistent.

For more verified products across dozens of categories, search the PFAS Free Life database.

How to Choose Safe Winter Gloves

The glove market hasn’t caught up with jackets and pants in terms of PFAS-free labeling, so you may need to do a bit more digging. Here’s what helps:

• Look for brands with company-wide PFAS-free commitments. Dakine, Jan & Jul, and Patagonia have made broad pledges to eliminate fluorinated treatments. If the brand has gone PFAS-free on jackets, their gloves likely follow the same policy.
• Check for bluesign or OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification. Both restrict PFAS in certified products.
• Choose natural materials where possible. Wool-lined gloves with a wax-treated exterior skip the fluorine question entirely. Brands like Hestra use leather with natural waterproofing treatments.
• Ask the brand directly. If a glove you like doesn’t mention PFAS on the product page, email customer service and ask whether they use fluorinated DWR. Brands that have made the switch are happy to say so.

For more on reading product claims, see our shopper’s checklist for verifying PFAS-free labels.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can PFAS absorb through skin from gloves?

Research suggests that dermal absorption of PFAS is possible, particularly in warm and moist conditions. Gloves create exactly that environment around your hands. While the amount absorbed through skin is generally lower than through ingestion, it adds to your overall PFAS body burden, and reducing exposure from every source is the goal.

Are leather gloves PFAS-free?

Traditional leather gloves are often PFAS-free by default, since leather’s natural properties provide some water resistance without chemical DWR treatments. However, some leather gloves may have a DWR coating on the exterior. Check with the manufacturer, or look for gloves treated with wax or silicone-based waterproofing instead.

What about GORE-TEX gloves, are those PFAS-free now?

GORE-TEX has been transitioning to its new ePE (expanded polyethylene) membrane, which is PFAS-free. However, the rollout is product-by-product, so not all GORE-TEX gloves have switched yet. Look for products specifically labeled with the new ePE membrane, or check Gore’s product listings to confirm.

*Research references: Environmental Health Perspectives 2019

eBioMedicine / Lancet 2019*