Columbia · Waterproof Outdoor Accessories
Send Relief Columbia Rain Jacket (Navy)
Rain jacket with unknown water-repellent coating chemistry. Columbia silent on PFAS.
Columbia does not disclose water-repellent coating treatment specifics for this jacket. Standard water-repellent coatings often contain PFAS, but the brand provides no confirmation either way.
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Material
polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent 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 Send Relief Columbia Rain Jacket is constructed from polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the fabric surface. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") but alternatives exist; Columbia has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they use in this model. Polyester itself is stable in normal wear and poses no inherent leaching risk under typical conditions, but the coating composition is the material safety variable here.
The brand's record and disclosure
Columbia Sportswear does not maintain a published PFAS commitment or transparency statement about their water-repellent finishes, despite growing industry movement toward disclosure (e.g., Patagonia, The North Face). The company has faced no major recalls or public safety controversies specific to rain jacket coatings. However, their silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is a notable gap compared to competitors who explicitly state PFAS-free or PFAS-reduced processes.
How it compares in its category
Among mainstream rain jacket brands, Columbia occupies a middle position: better quality and durability than budget synthetic alternatives, but less transparent than premium outdoor brands that disclose water-repellent coating methods. Many budget jackets use polyester with unknown coatings; premium brands like Patagonia and Arc'teryx actively market PFAS-free water-repellent coating or publish third-party certifications. This jacket offers solid performance without the transparency consumers increasingly expect in technical apparel.
If you buy it
Machine wash in cold water with mild detergent and air dry to preserve the water-repellent coating longevity; heat from hot water or dryers can accelerate coating breakdown. Do not dry clean (solvents may strip or interact with the coating). Avoid prolonged contact with skin creases or friction in humid storage to minimize microbial growth in moisture-trapping fabrics. Replace when water no longer beads on the surface, typically after 50-100 wash cycles depending on use and care.
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.”
Formaldehyde resins in polyester or finishes
Polyester itself does not require formaldehyde resin curing, and no recalls or complaints document formaldehyde off-gassing from Columbia rain jackets. Possible only if non-standard finish additives were used, but this is not established for this product line.
Azo dyes in navy colorant
Navy polyester jackets typically use synthetic azo dyes, which are regulated in the EU but not comprehensively restricted in North America. Breakdown of certain azo dyes can produce carcinogenic aromatic amines; however, well-made technical jackets undergo dyeing with controls. No specific concern documented for Columbia outerwear, but fabric testing would be needed to confirm dye safety.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester production may use antimony trioxide as a catalyst; residual levels in finished fabric are typically low and not regulated as a consumer hazard in the US. Migration to skin during normal wear is considered negligible by toxicologists, but antimony exposure is a theoretical concern for workers in manufacturing, not end users.
Flame retardants or other finish additives
Rain jackets are not required to meet flame retardant standards (unlike children's sleepwear or upholstery), and no evidence suggests Columbia adds halogenated or phosphorus-based flame retardants to this product. Coating additives are unknown due to lack of disclosure.
Microplastics from fabric degradation
All synthetic textiles shed microfibers during washing; polyester rain jackets are no exception. The extent depends on weave tightness and coating integrity. Laundering this jacket will release polyester microplastics into wastewater. This is not unique to Columbia but an inherent property of synthetic outerwear.
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.
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PFC-free claim stated. No independent verification available yet.
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More waterproof outdoor accessories 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.