Outerwear & Apparel made without PFAS - What does it mean?

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PFAS FAQ

Outerwear & Apparel made without pfas

What does it mean?

We’re always pushing to make our gear more responsibly. Whether that means using more recycled materials or eliminating harmful chemicals in our production we do whatever it takes to reduce our impact on the planet. One of the most significant environmental milestones we hit with our 2025 product collection is that all Jones outerwear and apparel fabrics are now made without PFAS.

If you’ve been paying attention to environmental news you’ve probably heard about PFAS, PFCs and “forever chemicals”. It’s an important topic to understand as PFAS are found in countless consumer products and the science is clear. PFAS do the planet no favors.

But what are PFAS and why are they called “forever chemicals”? It’s a good question and we’re here to answer it. Read on to learn more.

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All new GORE-TEX ePE

Same expedition worthy all-weather protection, better for the planet

The completely redesigned Men’s Shralpinist GORE-TEX ePE jacket and bibs are made with 100% recycled 3-layer GORE-TEX ePE C-Knit fabric. 

This new fabric is an Oeko-Tex® and Bluesign® certified fabric membrane made of a microporous material called expanded polyethylene (ePE). The membrane has billions of tiny holes in it that allow vapors (sweat) to pass through, but not water droplets (rain and snow). The membrane has a lower carbon footprint than previous GORE membranes and is made without PFAS. The ePE membrane solves the issue of using forever chemicals that collect indefinitely in the environment in technical waterproof breathable fabrics.

GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE is lighter, stronger and more packable than most technical fabrics because it’s made with an extremely fine circular knit fabric backer that gives the fabric a soft and quiet feel. This new fabric offers the perfect balance of comfort and protection for splitboarding and it meets all of GORE’s industry leading “Guaranteed To Keep You Dry” waterproofing and durability standards.

Starting with our 2024/25 collection, all of our outerwear fabrics and DWR treatments are made without PFOA/PFAS.

What are forever chemicals?

Forever chemicals are synthetic compounds that have such a strong molecule structure that they do not break down in nature. They are used in many consumer products including some water repellent fabrics and non-stick cooking pans. Over time these chemicals accumulate in the environment indefinitely. PFCs, PFOA and PFAS are forever chemicals.

What is the difference between: PFC, PFOA and PFAS?

Per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFC) are a group of synthetic hydrophobic (water-repelling) and oleophobic (oil-repelling) chemicals that have been used in many consumer products including the membrane and DWR treatments on some technical outerwear.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a type of PFC that has a very strong (C8) molecular structure that’s very resistant to breaking down. We have never used PFOA and they have not been used in most outdoor apparel for the last ten years.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is the latest terminology to describe this group of chemicals that include PFCs and PFOA. They are chemicals with a fully fluorinated carbon molecular structure (C4, C6, C8) that resists heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.

Where are PFAS found in fabrics?

Traditionally, PFAS are found in many fabric membranes and DWR treatments.

Has Jones made outerwear that contain PFAS in the past?

PFAS have only been used in past season’s Jones Shralpinist GORE-TEX PRO outerwear. All other Jones outerwear has always used fabrics made without PFAS.

What is the difference between a fabric membrane and a DWR treatment?

A membrane is an internal fabric layer that acts as the “engine” of a waterproof breathable fabric. It allows water vapor (sweat) to pass through, but not water droplets (rain and snow). The membrane is the middle layer of a three-layer fabric. The face fabric is the outer layer and the backer is the inner layer.

Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatments are chemical applications that are applied on the face fabric to help the fabric resist water and oils.

What is GORE-TEX ePE and what problem does it solve?

GORE-TEX ePE is a new Oeko-Tex® and Bluesign® certified fabric membrane made of a microporous material called expanded polyethylene (ePE). The membrane has billions of tiny holes in it that allow water vapors (sweat) to pass through, but not water droplets (rain and snow). The membrane is made without PFAS and solves the issue of using forever chemicals in technical waterproof breathable fabrics.

How long has GORE-TEX been working on the ePE membrane?

Gore has been developing fabrics with the ePE membrane for many years. The first publicly available apparel made with an ePE fabric was in 2022. GORE-TEX 3L C-KNIT ePE was introduced in 2024.

Why is Jones switching to GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE?

We are making the change because it aligns with our brand values to eliminate all PFAS from the production of Jones outerwear. With the switch to GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE all Jones outerwear and apparel fabrics are now made without PFAS. Pending legislation in the USA and Europe will ban PFAS from some consumer products by winter 2025/26.

Where is Jones using GORE-TEX ePE fabrics?

The Shralpinist GORE-TEX 3L collection will now be made with GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE. This collection was previously made with GORE-TEX PRO. With the change, both the Shralpinst GORE 3L collection, and the entire Jones softgoods line will now use fabrics made without PFAS.

How do you care for GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE?

Wash and repair guidelines for GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE are the same as for GORE-TEX PRO. It is recommended to regularly wash and machine dry technical outerwear as it removes hydrophilic oils that contaminate the face fabric and reactivates the DWR treatment. GORE-TEX recommends washing GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE once a month if the outerwear is used regularly.

www.gore-tex.com/support/care/outerwear

How does the performance of GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE fabric compare to GORE-TEX PRO fabric?

GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE is “Guaranteed To Keep You Dry” just like GORE-TEX PRO. How they differ is that GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE is lighter, softer and more packable than GORE-TEX PRO. GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE is made with an extremely fine circular knit fabric backer. This backer gives the fabric a softer and quieter feel than GORE-TEX PRO. GORE-TEX C-KNIT ePE will be more comfortable for splitboarding, and it's met all of GORE’s legendary waterproofing and durability standards.

What is the difference between the GORE-TEX PRO membrane and DWR treatment vs. GORE-TEX ePE?

GORE-TEX PRO uses fluorinated chemicals with an ePTFE chemistry in the fabric membrane and the DWR treatment to achieve waterproofing. These chemicals contain PFAS. GORE-TEX ePE uses non-fluorinated bi-component membrane (ePE) and a PFC-free DWR to achieve waterproofing. The ePE membrane is made without PFAS. The GORE-TEX ePE membrane also has a lower carbon footprint than the GORE-TEX PRO ePTFE membrane.

What should I do with my old GORE-TEX PRO gear?

Keep wearing it. The best thing for the environment is to keep using the gear you already own. All GORE-TEX fabrics including GORE-TEX PRO are third party certified by Oeko-Tex® and Bluesign®.

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