4 Eco Brands with the Best Sustainable Rain Coats
Rain coats are a practical piece of apparel in just about everyone's closet!
Whether you're doing outdoor activities such as hiking or just running around town on rainy days, these jackets are important for keeping dry.
As someone who lives in Seattle, I know!
Unfortunately some of the waterproof fabrics contain harmful substances.
Let's explore rain coats and look and learn what sustainable materials to look for when shopping for a new eco-friendly rain jackets.
This post does contain some affiliate links which means The Honest Consumer will receive a commission if you decide to purchase, however, at no additional cost to you!
Are Water Repellent Fabrics Toxic?
When it comes to rain coats and any other garments and products that are planned to be worn to or used in the rain, they need to be water-repellent.
Most of water-repellent items have a coating on top of the fabric of a durable water repellent (DWR).
Unfortunately, DWRs traditionally contain water-repelling perfluorinated chemicals like poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).
These chemicals take a long time to break down so they persist in the environment where they have detrimental effects, not only during apparel production, but also while wearing and washing.
Through these processes toxic chemicals enter soil, air, and waterways, polluting them and thus impacting animals and ecosystems.
This problem continues even when these textiles are disposed of. PFASs can also build up in human bodies, potentially impacting the health of factory workers and consumers.
Materials to Look for When Shopping for a Sustainable Rain Jacket
When searching for an eco-friendly rain coat, I encourage you to look for more sustainable waterproof fabrics. Here are a few things to look for!
Perfluorocarbons-free (PFC-free);
As a lot of outdoor wear is made with synthetic fabrics be sure to look for recycled materials such as recycled polyester.
While it can be hard to find a rain jacket that meets all of these, I’ve listed some better options below! Not all of them are perfect!
Where to Shop for Sustainable Rain Jackets?
Let's look at some eco-friendly brands that use conscious materials and value fair wages.
The North face Budget Conscious Option
I personally have had a North Face rain coat for two years and love it. It was definitley a more affordable choice and has some sustainable elements. Plus, I LOVED the floral pattern.
While my exact rain jacket is no longer available the Women’s Quest Hooded Jacket is very similar. They’ve made with 100% recycled polyester and a non-PFC durable water-repellent (non-PFC DWR) finish.
Northface offers rain coats for men and women ranging from $110-$400. Not all of their rain jackets are made with the eco-conscious materials listed above, so just be sure to keep an eye out!
Patagonia's Rain Coats & Parkas Made with Eco-friendly Materials
Patagonia is a sustainable fashion brand that has been leading the way for years. Patagonia is always looking for cleaner ways to produce their clothing, including reducing chemical harm throughout their supply chain.
Patagonia values creating high-quality clothing. Patagonia makes it easy for consumers to find all their outdoor gear including rain boots, rain jackets, and more.
Their rain wear features 100% recycled fabrics on the outer layer and they’ve switched to using 6-carbon-long DWR and offer PFC-free items like their Radalie and Dual Aspect jackets.
Patagonia carries coats, jackets, and parkas for men, women, and children ranging from $100-$400.
Patagonia is also actively seeking more non-PFC DWR finishes that won’t renege on the quality, toughness, and durability of their apparel.
They also have a second-hand platform where you might be able to pick up sustainable rain gear at a lower price.
Patagonia furthers their eco-friendly practices by allowing consumers to bring in their Patagonia items for repair. These two practices help reduce the amount of textile waste ending up in landfills.
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi offers colorful rain coats for men and women. Their rain jackets are made of 100% recycled polyester and made without intentionally added PFAS chemicals.
They also partner with a Fair Trade Certified™ factory to produce their coats which is great.
I’ve had a Cotopaxi winter coat for a few years now, so I’m sure their rain coats are just as wonderful!
Cotopaxi rain coats range from $145-$250
Tentree Plant Trees with Sustainable Coats
Ranging from the practical to the stylish, tentree has a great collection of outerwear for men and women. What’s more, their parkas, puffers, and jackets are made from recycled or compostable materials and coated with non-toxic DWR.
As their clothes (and name) suggest, they’re all about the environment, planting ten trees for every purchase made. Tentree’s coats range from $118-$300.
Hopefully this guide has brought you some new insights into the sustainable and eco-friendly rain coats world, and now you are a little more ready to make conscious choices when acquiring yours.
Don't be afraid to do your own research to further you knowledge.The best way to learn more is by e-mailing brands to learn more about their materials and production process.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Emily Waddell is the founder of The Honest Consumer and an expert in conscious consumerism. She has been in the ethical and sustainable living space for over ten years. Emily has always been passionate about business for good and has a Bachelor degree in Social Entrepreneurship. When she’s not writing, Emily enjoys supporting small businesses, finding locally grown food at the farmer’s market, & practicing slow living.
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