‘Tis the season for fresh rainwear and when you’re shopping for outerwear that keeps you dry, there’s more to look out for than style and function. Avoid options made with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of “forever chemicals” that the federal government plans to designate as toxic.
Added to raincoats to improve water repellency, PFAS can lead to adverse health effects. “We know that exposure to certain types of PFAS interferes with fat metabolism, and in turn, that could cause type 2 diabetes, it could contribute to obesity. We know that PFAS is involved in poor reproductive outcomes,” says Miriam Diamond, a professor at the University of Toronto whose work focuses on environmental chemistry and exposure. Dr. Diamond notes that there are thousands of different types of PFAS and several are already restricted in Canada. You might have to check the product page or brand website to see if a particular style is made without intentionally added PFAS.
Beyond the PFAS factor, if you’re looking for something that is really going to keep you dry, you’ll want to find a “proper shell jacket with a membrane that is taped so you don’t have any leakage in your seams,” says Sandra Söderin, a designer at Swedish outdoor clothing and equipment company Fjällräven. A waxed cotton jacket, for example, simply won’t be able to stand up to hours of heavy rain.
She suggests looking for a style made with polyester or nylon, with “critical seams” such as the shoulder seam and sleeve cap taped or sealed for waterproofness. A well-fitting, adjustable hood will protect your face from the rain when you’re in movement, and you’ll want sleeves that are long enough. “If the sleeves are short and you can’t adjust them, then you’re going to get wet on the inside of your sleeves,” says Söderin. The bottom line: waterproof fabric alone can’t protect you from careless design choices.
Once you have found the perfect raincoat, you’ll want to take care of it well. “It’s a little bit different than a regular T-shirt,” says Söderin. “You have to wash it to make sure that the membrane works as well as it did when you bought it.” Things such as dirt and body oils can clog up the pores in the membrane, impacting the breathability of the garment. Depending on how often it’s worn, that could mean washing your jacket maybe once or twice a year to keep it clean.
Six buys to try
Stylish, waterproof options that are PFAS-free.
In the men’s section This waterproof rain jacket features a fully seam-sealed outer membrane, coated zippers and a drawcord-adjustable hood. Designed for hiking and other outdoor activities, it’s available in standard, big, and tall sizing. Columbia Reign No Shine jacket, $250 through columbiasportswear.ca.
Available in seven neutral colours, this unisex parka is made with a lightweight polyester fabric that’s waterproof and windproof but also breathable. The drawstring hood has a built-in cap to help keep precipitation off your face, and there are elasticated cuffs to help keep your shirt sleeves dry. Rains Fishtail parka, $200 through ca.rains.com.
Nice for the office and the outdoors, this jacket features a windproof and waterproof recycled polyester outer layer and a comfortable mesh lining. Plus, there are five pockets for all your essentials, including two zippered chest pockets. Fjällräven Övik Hydratic jacket, $370 through fjallraven.com.
In the women’s section
Made in a Fair Trade Certified factory in Vietnam, this raincoat is made with a three-layer, recycled fabric designed to be waterproof and breathable. It’s also packed with functional features including an adjustable hood, partially elasticized cuffs, and zippered pockets lined with a cozy, brushed fabric. Patagonia Torrentshell 3L rain parka, $315 through patagonia.ca.
Designed in Toronto and made in China, this packable, unisex poncho is available in eight different colours. The 100-per-cent recycled polyester fabric is windproof and waterproof and also offers UPF 50+ sun protection. Tilley Packable Hooded poncho, $195 through ca.tilley.com.
Sustainably made-to-order in Dartmouth, Fairechild’s Daily coat features a charming Peter Pan collar and a detachable hood. The waterproof and breathable fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles and fully recyclable. Fairechild Daily rain coat, $514 through fairechild.com.
