Curated affiliate guide

Your outdoor gear
shouldn't poison
the places you love.

Most performance outdoor clothing contains PFAS — "forever chemicals" linked to cancer, infertility, and environmental contamination. We find the brands that don't compromise.

36+ states with PFAS legislation
2025 California & NY textile bans live
2026 France PFAS ban enacted
What are PFAS and why should you care?

The outdoor gear
industry's dirty secret.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of synthetic chemicals used to make outdoor gear waterproof, stain-resistant, and durable. They work — but they accumulate in the environment and in human tissue for generations.

Research links PFAS exposure to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, infertility, immune disruption, and developmental harm in children. Multiple US states have banned PFAS in textiles. The EU is phasing them out by 2026. Meanwhile, the outdoor industry — built on protecting wild places — has been a major source of PFAS contamination.

The brands on CleanTrail have already made the transition. The alternatives exist and they work. You don't have to choose between performance and safety.

2026 EU PFAS phase-out in textiles
2025 California AB 1817 apparel ban
36+ US states with PFAS legislation
Shop verified brands →
The Problem

Forever chemicals.
Real harm.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been used in outdoor gear since the 1940s to make fabrics waterproof, stain-resistant, and durable. They work — but they don't break down. Ever.

They show up in the blood of remote First Nations communities in Canada. They've been detected on the summit of Mount Everest. In drinking water for millions. In your body right now.

Research links PFAS exposure to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, infertility, immune disruption, and developmental harm in children. The outdoor industry — built on the premise of protecting wild places — has been a major source of the problem.

65%

of sports bras tested showed PFAS indicators (EHN / Mamavation study)

82%

of outdoor brands were still using PFAS as of April 2024 (Ethical Consumer)

0

ways to remove PFAS from the environment once released

How We Choose

Not a gear dump.
A trusted field guide.

We verify every brand on this site. No paid placements. No brand partnerships that compromise editorial independence. Just outdoor enthusiasts who actually care.

Verification standard

We check each brand against third-party certifications — OEKO-TEX, bluesign, Combustion Ion Chromatography — and their own public PFAS phase-out commitments.

Performance tested

PFAS-free doesn't mean soggy. We link to brands whose non-toxic alternatives have been field-tested by the outdoor community — from Arctic expeditions to weekend trail runs.

Educational first

We explain why PFAS-free matters — the science, the regulations, the alternatives — so you make informed choices, not just another purchase.

Shop by activity

Gear that's clean
for every trail.

Hiking & Trail

Rain jackets, hiking pants, base layers — all without forever chemicals. Performance-ready for the backcountry.

Browse hiking gear

Ski & Snow

Technical outerwear for cold weather. Warm, waterproof, and verified PFAS-free from the membrane out.

Browse ski gear

Trail Running

Lightweight, breathable activewear that moves with you — no PFAS treatments, no compromises on safety.

Browse running gear

Shop All

Every PFAS-free product across all categories — jackets, pants, base layers, gloves, and more.

Browse all gear
Verified PFAS-free brands

Brands that got
there first.

These companies phased out PFAS before the laws required it — because they care about the same things you do.

Patagonia 100% PFAS-free since Spring 2025

Industry pioneer, fully PFAS-free across all membranes and DWR finishes. Every new product since Spring 2025 — no exceptions.

 Norrøna PFAS-free since 2023

Norwegian brand that eliminated PFAS across its entire line years ahead of regulatory deadlines. Performance first, always.

 Fjällräven PFAS-free since 2015

Swedish brand eliminated PFAS from all textiles back in 2015. Now uses beeswax and paraffin — and it works.

 Ortovox 100% PFAS-free as of 2024

Swiss brand committed to PFC-free across Swisswool, backpacks, and all new hard and softshell products.

 Rab 91% PFAS-free — targeting 100%

Honest about their progress. 91% of their AW24 range is verified PFAS-free with full transparency on remaining items.

Affiliate links present. We may earn a commission when you shop through our links — at no extra cost to you. This is how we keep CleanTrail running.

"We go outdoors to feel connected to nature. The last thing that connection needs is chemicals that will outlast civilization."

CleanTrail exists to make it easier to choose gear that's better for you and for the wild places you explore. Every recommendation is verified. Every link is honest. This is how we protect the trails.