Adidas · Children's Rainwear & Rain Boots
adidas Core 18 Rain Jacket
Rain jacket with unspecified water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unclear.
The Core 18 Rain Jacket uses polyester with water-repellent treatment, but Adidas does not publicly disclose the chemistry of its water-repellent coating. Traditional rain jacket coatings commonly contain PFAS, though some brands now use PFAS-free alternatives.
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Material
Polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Core 18 is polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the surface. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic fiber with low inherent toxicity, but water-repellent coating coatings are where chemical risk concentrates: these are typically fluorinated compounds (PFAS-based) or, less commonly, non-fluorinated alternatives like wax or silicone. Adidas has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry is used in this model, so the specific risk profile remains unclear.
The brand's record and disclosure
Adidas has faced criticism from environmental and health organizations for slow adoption of PFAS-free water repellents across its sportswear lines, despite industry peers committing to phase-outs. The company has made general sustainability pledges but has not issued product-specific ingredient transparency for rain jacket coatings as of public record. No major recalls or safety violations have been documented for this specific model.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream rain jackets (Nike, The North Face, Columbia) use similar water-repellent coating-coated polyester and face the same PFAS disclosure gap. Brands explicitly marketing PFAS-free water repellents (e.g., Patagonia, some Rab models) are exceptions and typically cost more. The Core 18 is positioned as an affordable entry-level rain layer, which usually correlates with standard (often fluorinated) water-repellent coating chemistry rather than premium alternatives.
If you buy it
Wash before wearing to reduce potential loose coating residues. Avoid machine drying at high heat, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and release volatiles; air dry or use low heat. Expect water-repellent coating effectiveness to diminish after 20-30 washes; re-treatment products exist, though their own chemical safety varies. Do not expose to prolonged direct flame or very high temperatures (above 140C / 285F).
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
PFAS in water-repellent coating (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances)
Unconfirmed by Adidas; standard water-repellent coating chemistry is typically fluorinated. PFAS can persist in the body and environment. No published testing of this specific jacket model available.
Coating degradation and inhalation of degradation byproducts
High-heat drying or prolonged sun exposure can degrade water-repellent coating layer; release of coating particles or volatiles is not well-characterized for this product but is a known risk in heated synthetic textiles.
Formaldehyde resins in fabric finishing
Polyester rain jackets do not routinely require formaldehyde resins for water repellency (unlike cotton-blends). No public reports of formaldehyde issues in Core 18 line.
Azo dyes and colorfast contamination
Adidas fabrics are not known to use banned azo dyes; the brand follows EU textile dye regulations. No color-bleeding or toxicity complaints documented for this model.
Antimony in polyester resin
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester production but remains bound in the polymer chain at normal use temperatures. Migration into skin or sweat is not a documented concern for this product category.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 42% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Children's Rainwear & Rain Boots
Gap Kids
Fall Spring Rain Jacket Coat Water Wind Resistant Large 10
Polyester blend with water/wind-resistant coating, composition unspecified
Skip until Gap discloses coating chemistry and PFAS status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More children's rainwear & rain boots grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.