Regatta · Children's Rainwear & Rain Boots
children Regatta Highton Vi jacket RKW304
Likely water-repellent coating-treated; PFAS risk present but unconfirmed.
Children's jacket with water-repellent finish. Regatta does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Typical outdoor jackets use fluorinated or non-fluorinated finishes; unverified treatment raises uncertainty.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating, composition unspecified
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 Highton Vi is polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the outer shell. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic fiber with low toxicity risk in normal use. The water-repellent coating treatment is the material concern: most commercial water-repellent coating finishes historically relied on PFOA or PFOS-class PFAS compounds, though some manufacturers have transitioned to PFAS-free alternatives. Regatta has not publicly disclosed which chemistry is used on this model, making the actual PFAS load unknowable from available information.
The brand's record and disclosure
Regatta is a UK-based outdoor apparel manufacturer with no established public commitment to PFAS elimination or chemical transparency comparable to major competitors (Arc'teryx, Patagonia). The brand has not published restricted substance lists or third-party testing certifications for this product line. No specific recalls or chemical controversies are documented in public records for Regatta children's wear, but the absence of disclosure is itself a data gap rather than a safety assurance.
How it compares in its category
Children's polyester jackets with water repellency are standard in the outdoor market. Premium alternatives (Patagonia, Arc'teryx) explicitly use PFAS-free water-repellent coating or publish full restricted-substance testing. Budget and mid-market brands (including Regatta) rarely disclose coating chemistry, putting them in an ambiguous middle ground. The Highton Vi's price point and lack of certifications place it below transparency standards now common in the category, not because of documented harm but because peers offer more accountability.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cool water with minimal detergent before first wear to reduce surface residue; many water-repellent coating coatings leach slightly in initial laundering. Do not tumble-dry or iron, as heat can damage the coating and potentially increase chemical volatilization. Reapply water-repellent coating annually via commercial spray (cost-benefit trade-off: adds another PFAS or alternative source). Inspect regularly for coating damage (beading loss, dull patches); once compromised, the jacket's water resistance and any associated chemical barrier degrade together. Do not use on infants or in prolonged indoor contact.
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.”
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry (non-PFAS aspects)
The specific water-repellent coating class is undisclosed. Older formulations may contain perfluorinated compounds (assessed under PFAS separately). Even non-PFAS alternatives (siloxane-, paraffin-, or polyurethane-based) can generate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing and cure, though residual exposure after purchase is minimal in outdoor-only use.
Formaldehyde in polyester or finishes
Polyester fiber itself does not require formaldehyde in production. Finishing resins may contain trace formaldehyde releasers, but children's apparel in EU and US markets is typically restricted to <75 ppm. No specific testing or non-compliance is documented for Regatta children's wear.
Azo dyes and colorfast bleeding
Color bleeding from low-quality dyes is the main practical risk in children's wear. The Highton Vi's color (likely bright outdoor tones like lime, navy, or orange) may use azo dyes; restricted azo compounds (certain arylamines) are banned in EU textiles but inconsistently enforced in imports. Wash separately in cold water initially to assess dye stability.
Antimony in polyester fiber or pigments
Polyester is typically produced with antimony trioxide as a catalyst; however, final fiber-bound antimony levels in finished garments are far below dermal absorption thresholds. Pigments used in printing or dyeing may contain antimony compounds, but migration to skin is not established in normal wear.
Flame retardants in textile treatments
Children's outerwear is not subject to flame-retardancy regulations in most jurisdictions (those apply mainly to sleepwear). No evidence of added flame retardants in this product category unless explicitly marketed as such; none indicated for the Highton Vi.
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.