Paddling garments made without PFAS have yet to equal the performance of earlier drysuits and drytops that used the chemicals, according to EHN. The report identifies a remaining performance gap for equipment designed to keep paddlers dry.

The available summary does not identify manufacturers, products, testing methods or the size of that gap. It also does not specify which performance characteristics fall short. Those limits prevent a product-by-product comparison or a conclusion that every garment made without PFAS performs alike.

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large group of synthetic chemicals. Some have been used in textiles because their properties help repel water and oil. The term covers many substances, rather than a single ingredient with one uniform set of characteristics.

In technical clothing, water repellency and waterproofing describe different functions. A repellent treatment helps water bead and roll off the outer fabric. A waterproof barrier limits water passing through the material. A garment can combine those functions with seam sealing and closures to provide protection as a complete system.

When the outer fabric becomes saturated, often called wetting out, the garment can feel heavier and less comfortable. Moisture transfer can also be affected. That condition does not, by itself, prove that water has passed through the waterproof barrier. Distinguishing surface saturation from leakage is therefore essential when describing how a garment performs.

How paddling protection works

A drysuit encloses the body, typically using seals at the neck and wrists and integrated socks or ankle seals. A drytop covers the upper body and is commonly used with a kayak's spray skirt. Fit, closures, seams and seals all influence how much water enters during use.

These garments serve a different purpose from a wetsuit, which is designed to provide insulation while allowing a limited amount of water next to the body. A drysuit generally relies on clothing worn underneath for insulation. Staying dry and staying warm are related but separate aspects of paddling protection.

A meaningful comparison between materials consequently needs more than a demonstration of water beading on new fabric. Relevant measures include resistance to water penetration, moisture transfer, abrasion and the persistence of surface repellency after use and cleaning. Results also depend on whether tests examine a fabric sample or a finished garment.

The environmental context concerns the strong chemical bonds that make many PFAS resistant to breakdown. Persistence is a central reason these chemicals attract scrutiny. Health evidence and exposure pathways differ across substances; a broad chemical category alone does not establish the risk associated with wearing a particular garment.

EHN's reported performance comparison does not establish a health finding about paddlers. Nor does the supplied material identify the chemical composition of replacement treatments or assess their environmental effects.

What to watch

Details that would clarify the comparison include the products tested, the meaning of “PFAS-free,” the performance measures used and results after repeated wear and washing. The available summary does not indicate whether EHN's full report provides those details.