New state regulations regarding PFAS chemicals go into effect in 2025, which are changing what goes into the products that outdoor companies produce, including DRYFT. Currently seven states are banning the sale of products, including outdoor apparel, that contain PFAS. The largest use of PFAS in the fishing industry has been in the DWR coatings on jackets and waders.
What is PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products due to their unique properties such as heat resistance, water-repellency, and oil-repellency. They are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment and can persist for long periods of time.
PFAS chemicals have been used in a variety of products such as waterproof and stain-resistant treatments for clothing, footwear, and gear, cookware and housewares, as well as in firefighting foams. This has at times led to contamination of soil and water, and has raised significant health concerns for both humans and the environment.
Within the outdoor industry, PFAS chemicals have been widely used in the DWR (Durable water repellent) coatings that help shed water and oils from the outside of jackets and fishing waders.
What is DRYFT doing?
We are committed to providing products that are PFAS free, and are well into the process of switching all of our components and materials over to PFAS-free. We intend to do this by producing all of our waders and jackets using PFAS free components and C0 PFAS free DWR coatings from the fall of 2024 onwards.
Products that we have produced in the past use a C6 DWR, which contains PFAS, and other components (zippers, buckles, etc) could also contain PFAS. Some of these products are still in stock on our website, and we are selling them as close-out or on a limited basis only to states that do not prohibit them. States that currently prohibit the sale of items with PFAS are California, Colorado, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York and Vermont. There is verbiage on each product page that states whether the product contains PFAS or not.
In the Fall of 2024, and into 2025 we are introducing several waders and jackets with C0 PFAS-free DWR coatings. They are the S14 men’s waders, the Primo Zip GD waders, and the new Primo Jackets. Additionally, in 2025 we will be introducing a new LITE line of convertible waders, wading pants, and a jacket that all will be PFAS-free.
Moving forward we are shifting completely to PFAS free DWR coatings, and also have worked with our suppliers to ensure that moving forward all components and materials used in production of DRYFT products are PFAS-free. We are doing this not only to comply with individual state laws, but also because it matches our sustainability commitment to do less harm to people and the planet throughout the operation of our business.
Thank you for reading, and if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to us directly.
Thank you,
Nick Satushek
