Gap Kids · Children's Rainwear & Rain Boots
Gap Toddler Dino Raincoat
Gap makes no PFAS disclosure; raincoat likely treated with water-repellent coating.
Gap Kids does not disclose PFAS use or avoidance for this raincoat. Waterproof children's apparel typically uses water-repellent coating treatments, which commonly contain PFAS, though specific formulation unknown.
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Material
Polyester with water-repellent treatment (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
This raincoat is polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the surface. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic polymer with low chemical leaching risk under normal wear. The water-repellent coating treatment is the material concern: it creates water resistance but Gap has not disclosed whether it uses PFAS-based or PFAS-free formulations, which is standard practice for responsible brands. Without transparency, you must assume possible PFAS presence in the coating.
The brand's record and disclosure
Gap Inc. has not published a comprehensive PFAS policy or disclosed water-repellent coating chemistry for any of its rainwear products. The company maintains general sustainability commitments but remains silent on persistent chemical hazards in water-repellent apparel. This contrasts with competitors like Patagonia and Arc'teryx, which publicly commit to PFAS-free water-repellent coating or phased elimination. Gap's silence on this issue is a transparency red flag for a product category where PFAS use is still common industry-wide.
How it compares in its category
Children's raincoats typically use polyester shells with water-repellent coating finishes; this product follows industry standard construction. However, many mainstream brands (Target's Cat & Jack, Old Navy) also lack PFAS disclosure, while premium alternatives (Patagonia Kids) guarantee PFAS-free treatments. For toddlers, the lower surface-area exposure and shorter wearing duration reduce absolute risk compared to adult gear, but the lack of parent choice remains a concern.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other clothing on gentle cycle with cool water to minimize coating breakdown and fiber shedding. Air dry only; heat (dryer, direct sun for extended periods) can degrade polyester and potentially off-gas any water-repellent coating residues. Replace when seams fail or coating visibly flakes, as damaged water-repellent coating offers no protection and may shed microfibers. Do not dry-clean, as solvents can strip the water-repellent layer and mobilize coating chemicals.
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 (not graded here; see separate PFAS assessment)
Gap provides no disclosure of water-repellent coating chemistry. PFAS-based treatments (PFOA, PFOS, GenX alternatives) remain in use across children's rainwear; skin contact and potential ingestion via hand-to-mouth behavior are documented pathways for toddlers.
Formaldehyde in polyester resins and dyes
Modern polyester apparel rarely contains free formaldehyde, and Gap Kids products are subject to US textile regulations that restrict formaldehyde. No recalls or warnings on record for this product line.
Azo dyes and chemical mordants
Gap does not disclose dyestuff chemistry for children's raincoats. Standard polyester dyeing may include azo dyes or heavy-metal-based mordants; risk is low with skin contact alone but elevated if child chews on or mouths the fabric.
Microplastic shedding from coating and fibers
Polyester raincoats shed microfibers during washing and wear, particularly as coatings degrade. This is an environmental hazard rather than direct health risk to the wearer, but inhalation during laundering is theoretically possible in poorly ventilated spaces.
Antimony in polyester catalysts
Modern polyester production has largely phased out antimony trioxide catalysts in favor of titanium-based alternatives; Gap products are not known to use legacy antimony-based polyester. No regulatory action or recalls on record.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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.