Non-Toxic Rain Gear Round-Up

Written by:

Maia James

04/25/2017

Updated: 09/29/2023

Looking for a different product guide? Browse them all HERE.

t’s been a very wet April here in Brooklyn! I hate to rain on your parade, but gear like raincoats, rain pants, rain boots and umbrellas can be made with toxic materials that are bad for consumers, workers, and the environment. In the past, some studies have found worrisome stuff like heavy metals and phthalates in kids’ rain gear. Aren’t I just a ray of sunshine, as usual? 😉

Actually, there’s good news: it appears that the industry is slowly shifting to avoid the worst materials (like PVC/vinyl and toxic waterproofing treatments) in favor of safer ones. However, it makes sense to be careful about your choices of rain gear, especially what you’re buying for kids.

Read on for more information about what to watch out for in rain gear, as well as my top picks for safer rain gear for babies and kids.

What’s wrong with kids’ rain gear and boots?

Sadly, the safeguards that limit toxic substances in kids’ toys don’t apply to products like rain gear and rain boots.

Here are the most concerning materials to watch out for in rain coats, rain pants, rain boots, and umbrellas:

  • Polyvinyl chloride (aka PVC or “vinyl”) is perhaps best known as the plastic material that makes those shower curtain liners that are stinky for weeks after you open them. PVC is also used to make some rain boots (like the clear, light-up ones from Western Chief) and can provide a waterproofing layer on fabric. Some raingear has PVC-sealed seams. PVC can also be used to make colorful patterns and decals on fabrics. Unfortunately, PVC is among the most toxic of plastics. From production to use to disposal, it’s bad for people, wildlife, and the environment. It contains bad stuff like endocrine-disrupting phthalates and heavy metals (cadmium and lead), and this stuff continues to leach out over time to be absorbed through skin and ingested or inhaled.
  • Synthetic, petroleum-based rubber is common in rain boots. Most rain boots are a combination of natural and synthetic rubbers. Synthetic rubber is possibly less problematic than PVC, but it still contains often-undisclosed additives (most companies won’t share the details of their proprietary formulas). It’s hard to know what’s in a “rubber” boot.
  • Chemicals from the family of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs)—think Teflon and other nonstick coatings on cookware and bakeware —are also used to make waterproof fabrics because they repel water. Many PFCs are bad for people and the environment. Companies like Gore Fabrics, makers of Gore-Tex, are slowly phasing out their use of the most concerning PFCs. In the meantime, you have to watch out for them in raincoats, rain pants, and other waterproof clothing.

What’s the alternative to toxic rain gear and rain boots?

As I mentioned, the good news is that it appears that many companies that produce rain gear and rain boots are shifting away from the most toxic materials. And there are several companies deliberately making safer products for babies and kids. You also have the option of using products that aren’t technically rain gear, but that have water-resistant properties (more on that in a minute).

When shopping for rain gear, look for products that are:

  • PVC/vinyl-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • Lead-free (and/or free from heavy metals in general)
  • Free from PFC-based waterproof materials, like PTFE (aka Teflon) and PFOA (a component of Teflon and other materials)

Safer materials include:

  • “Natural” rubber: We’ve been told that there’s no such thing as “100% natural rubber” boots, because some additives are necessary to make the rubber material functional, but you can find boots made primarily from natural rubber (rather than mostly synthetic rubber or PVC).
  • Nylon and polyurethane fabrics can be inert (stable when not heated) and waterproof or water resistant without the need for the most concerning waterproofing materials.

My top picks for safer rain gear

Below are some of the companies that are making safer rain gear for babies and kids (listed in alphabetical order):

Hatley Girls’ Little Printed Umbrellas

Hatley offers good rainwear and boots for children. 

Their kids’ raincoats/jackets, pants, and one-piece rain suits are made from polyurethane outer fabric with no worrisome coating, plus a woven polyester lining, and are PVC-free. Seams are heat-sealed with no additional materials (like PVC). Hatley boots, available in toddler and kids’ sizes, are also a PVC-free; they’re a combo of natural and synthetic rubbers, with a high content of natural rubber. The boots are third-party tested to ensure safety and compliance with North American laws. I like their kids’ umbrellas because they have wooden handles, rather than EVA foam handles, and there is no worrisome coating on the fabric. All the photos on this page of my own kids feature Hatley gear!

i play.

i play Play Wear has a rainwear line in baby and toddler sizes. Their raincoats and rain pants are Good Stuff because they are made from woven polyester with a polyurethane coating and are PVC-free, formaldehyde-free, and azo dye-free. I’m not as crazy about the umbrellas, because the handle is EVA foam. EVA (aka PEVA) is often marketed as being “safe” and “eco-friendly,” because it’s less problematic than other vinyl-containing materials like PVC, but it still raises red flags and is best to avoid if possible, especially for products that come in contact with little hands.

Puddlegear

Puddlegear makes Good Stuff for babies, toddlers, and kids: rain jackets, bib-style rain pants, and waterproof mittens and hats. The primary material is a high-quality, thick, uncoated polyurethane fabric that is PVC free and phthalate free, and the seams are heat-sealed. Unfortunately, Puddlegear does not yet make boots.

Stonz offers several kinds of boots for babies, toddlers and children. We haven’t heard back from them yet about details regarding their materials, but I’m fairly confident that their toddler-sized Rain Bootz are Good Stuff. Stonz states that these boots are “100% natural rubber,” which can’t be fully true, but I do like that they are free from the most concerning stuff—PVC, phthalates, lead, and formaldehyde.

Are Hunter boots Safe?

Short answer—I’m not sure, because Hunter hasn’t responded to our questions about the materials they use in their products.

The longer answer is that I’m a little concerned. Hunter lists “natural rubber” on their website as the material used to make their kids’ boots, but the boots can’t be made with natural rubber alone. I also wonder about the materials they use to get the high-gloss, metallic and glitter finishes on some of their boots. Hunter claims to watch out for “restricted substances” in their supply chain, but I couldn’t find any statements that their boots are free from PVC, phthalates, etc.

Are Crocs Non-toxic?

If you’re someone with a latex/rubber allergy, Crocs makes simple rain boots that are free of these allergens. Unfortunately, the company is really coy about their proprietary material.

They say it’s not EVA foam, and it doesn’t contain phthalates (and a couple of other bad things), but they don’t really say what it DOES contain (beyond using vague terms like it’s “a closed-cell resin”), and the vinyl content is hard to confirm or deny. I’m not too worried about Crocs rain boots since boots would be worn with socks and Crocs material tends not to be as smelly as most rubber mixtures or PVC, but I can’t quite call Crocs Good Stuff.

Do you really need rain gear?

Depending on your climate and how much time you spend out in the elements, you may be able to get by with other materials that aren’t technically rain gear but that have water-repellant properties, such as:

  • Wool naturally repels water and provides warmth—that’s why sheep wear it! Wool is one of the materials that kept people warm and dry before plastics came along. Consider wool shirts, coats, pants and socks. The tighter the weave, the better the moisture protection. My favorite brand is Hocasa.
  • Other traditionally waterproof fabrics include oilcloth, waxed cotton, and waxed canvas. (But watch out for modern “oilcloth,” which is actually coated with vinyl!) If you’re a DIY-er, you can apply wax-based waterproofing treatments to natural fabrics like cotton and hemp.


Polar fleece jackets and pants

Polar fleece jackets and pants made from inert plastic fibers like polyester can be water repellant.

Three habits for less toxin rain gear

Here are three easy things you can do to make any kind of rain gear safer for your kids:

  1. When you buy new rain gear, if there is any kind of smell, give the products a chance to off-gas in a well-ventilated area. This is most likely to happen with boots and other rubber products.
  2. Always wear socks with rain boots.
  3. Make sure that kids wash their hands when they come inside, especially before eating.

Stay sane (and dry!),

Maia, Founder & CEO

Note: This article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, which means that if you make a purchase, we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that meet our strict standards for non-toxicity and that we use (or want to use!) ourselves. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Good Stuff! 

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Leave a Reply

  1. Kusuma Sparks Avatar
    Kusuma Sparks

    Have you looked at LL Bean? They’re rain bunting is nylon but I don’t know about the rest of the details.

  2. Ann Figurski Avatar
    Ann Figurski

    Hi, Thanks for your information on rain gear. I found it much easier to buy organic, and nontoxic clothing products for my kids when they were babies and toddlers. Now, my daughter is 10 y.o. She is already over 5 feet tall, and almost 100 lbs, and sometimes she wears my boots. I am trying to find non toxic gear for her, but most companies don’t carry stuff for teens/adult sizes. She has sized out of all the “kid” gear. Can you please help? I am thankful I have been able to get less toxic things until now, but don’t really want to give up, especially being on the cusp of puberty for her. I know how powerful endocrine disruptors can be, especially at critical times. Thank you!
    Ann Figurski

    1. Elizabeth Avatar
      Elizabeth

      I’m with Ann! We have severe latex allergies here and would love some ideas for bigger sizes and brands in rain boots. We love Crocs but can’t find the right sizes anymore.

      Thanks for any help you can provide.
      Elizabeth

  3. Rosario Acha Mateo de Cartmell Avatar
    Rosario Acha Mateo de Cartmell

    Hi, do you know please some snow boots with non toxic materials?, thank you for your advice.

    1. johnlockegoss Avatar
      johnlockegoss

      Hi Rosario, Shoes are an area of considerable concern but unfortunately we have yet to find any manufacturer that makes nontoxic shoes. 🙁

  4. tom Avatar
    tom

    here is another great rainwear site, RKD RUBBER, the raincoats are all made from NATURAL RUBBER, they have both kids rubber raincoats, adult raincoats, rain parkas, and rain suits.
    they also do custom orders, i have purchased two raincoats, and they are well worth the price.

  5. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    Good info here – any updates?

  6. jersey Avatar
    jersey

    In another post you discuss how polyurethane is bad but in this article you recommend it. Please explain 🙂

  7. Grace Avatar
    Grace

    Hi! Thank you so much for this website! Any ideas for safe winter gear for kids? I live in Canada and winters here are a lot more about snow and freezing weather than rain… I don’t know if you have ever heard of safe fabric snow gears for kids? I kind of seem to see Teflon everywhere!! 🙁

    Thank you!

  8. Lauren Avatar
    Lauren

    Thanks for all of your work on this. I was wondering if you had looked into Polarn O Pyret’s rain gear? It has been recommended to me by several friends, but since it isn’t listed here I wasn’t sure if it was bad stuff or just not mentioned? Thank you!

  9. Molly Avatar
    Molly

    Frugi makes 100% natural rubber boots and PVC free rain gear.

  10. Lisa miller Avatar
    Lisa miller

    Have you heard back from hunter? I really need an adult rainboot for yardwork and I dont know what brand to buy. I was also looking at kamik. Thanks for all your help.

  11. Sara Avatar
    Sara

    Thank you for the blog Maia!
    Are you sure that Hatley umbrellas don’t have a coating on the fabric?
    They have told me in email there is a water resistant coating on them, but they have not told me what that is.
    Thanks

  12. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Thanks for this info! I was doing research on rain gear for my son, and it’s definitely more complicated than other items. One question – do you like the “i play” line as a whole? I’m searching for a toddler sunhat that’s good stuff, and i play keeps popping up with a few options. One is even “organic,” although I haven’t found any certifications yet. Thank you!

  13. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    Hello Maia,
    Thank you for the blog! Bought Hatley rain boots (blue/orange) for my 1.5 son. They smelled so disgusting u can’t imagine, even when packed in a shipping box. Like all 99c stores together. Of course, I sent them back and ordered Stonz. They are great!

    1. Mo Avatar
      Mo

      Oh no!! I just ordered Hatley but I didn’t see anything like this on the Amazon reviews.

  14. Lee Avatar
    Lee

    Have you seen the new shoes out of San Fransisco called Rothys? https://rothys.com/
    They are made from recycled water bottles and are machine washable – however I am wondering if it’s a bad idea to have them against my skin all day?

  15. sumiyah Avatar
    sumiyah

    since you mentioned the PVC shower curtains, what do you think about PEVA? the packaging advertises as more economical friendly with no odor and better than PVC…this is what I have now

  16. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    Everyone at my son’s school wears BOGS, including us. Are they good stuff? Thanks! http://www.bogsfootwear.com/shop/style/71563-492.html

    1. Rana Avatar
      Rana

      I know it has been awhile since you commented but I figured I would comment for others who might read this in the future. I spoke with someone today at Bogs who told me that they are both PVC and lead free.

    2. C. Bennett Avatar
      C. Bennett

      Where are they made? That will be telling. If they are made in china, as sadly most kids stuff is, then it’s probably not safe. Many Products made there have been shown to have lead or other toxic chemicals. Not to mention their horrible stance on humanitarian issues and worker safety.