Is Gore-Tex safe to wear if it contains PFAS?
Old-formula Gore-Tex contains PFAS and sheds it through use. Newer PFAS-free versions are better choices.
What's actually in it
Classic Gore-Tex uses a PTFE membrane and PFAS-based DWR coating. The membrane is relatively stable, but the surface coating sheds PFAS onto skin with wear and washes. Gore has committed to phasing out PFAS in consumer products and now offers PFAS-free lines.
PFAS don't leave the body easily. They stay in blood for years.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Sci Total Environ showed that sweat pulls PFAS out of waterproof kids' textiles and through a skin model. A 2025 study in Adv Sci linked PTFE exposure to lower sperm quality in mice.
If you own an older Gore-Tex jacket, keep it for rain-only use and wash it less often (more washes = more PFAS release). For new gear, look for "Gore-Tex ePE" (PFAS-free) or brand-specific PFAS-free alternatives.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Sweat-amplified dermal transfer of PFAS and OPEs. | Sci Total Environ | 2025 |
| Therapeutic Repair of Sperm Quality Decline Caused by Polytetrafluoroethylene. | Adv Sci (Weinh) | 2025 |
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