Fall is beautiful but fall is also wet. If you spend any time outside between October and March, a good raincoat or rain jacket is basically a non-negotiable. And if you’re going to buy one, it’s worth understanding what makes a rain jacket sustainable, because this is a category with a lot of greenwashing and a few truly impressive brands doing things right.
The biggest thing to know upfront: for years, most waterproof coats were treated with PFCs or PFAS, a group of chemicals used to make fabrics water-repellent that are now known to be highly persistent in the environment and linked to serious health concerns. They don’t break down. They accumulate in waterways, wildlife, and human bodies. But fortunately the industry has been moving away from them fast, and all the brands on this list are now fully PFC and PFAS-free. This is now the baseline to look for when buying any rain jacket.
Beyond that, here’s what separates a truly sustainable raincoat from one that’s just greenwashing:
🌲 Recycled materials: recycled nylon and recycled polyester perform identically to virgin synthetics and have a significantly lower environmental footprint
🌲 PFC/PFAS-free waterproofing: non-negotiable at this point. If a brand can’t confirm this, move on.
🌲 Bluesign or OEKO-TEX certification: these certify that manufacturing processes meet strict chemical and environmental standards
🌲 Fair labor certifications: Fair Trade, Fair Wear Foundation, or B Corp status signal that the people making the jacket were treated properly
🌲 Durability and repairability: a jacket that lasts ten years beats a perfectly sustainable one that falls apart in two
Here are some of the best brands making vegan, sustainable rain jackets right now.
1. Patagonia
Patagonia has been at the forefront of sustainable outdoor gear for decades and their rain jacket lineup is seriously impressive. Since the spring of 2025, 100% of their new waterproof products are fully PFAS-free, a milestone that took years of material development to reach. Their Torrentshell 3L is made from 100% recycled nylon face fabric with a PFAS-free DWR finish and is Fair Trade Certified sewn. Their Dual Aspect alpine shell goes even further with 100% recycled ripstop nylon and bluesign approval. The repair program means a damaged jacket can be fixed rather than replaced.
🌍 US-based, available globally
2. Finisterre
Finisterre is a certified B Corp from Cornwall, UK, built around cold water surfing and harsh weather. Their Stormbird jacket is made from 100% recycled nylon with a 20,000mm waterproof rating and a PFC-free DWR finish, and the brand is transparent about their entire supply chain. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something designed for serious rain rather than just a light drizzle.
🌍 UK-based, ships internationally
3. tentree
tentree is a certified B Corp planting ten trees for every product sold, and their rain jackets are made from 100% recycled polyester with a PFAS-free DWR coating and bluesign-approved fabrics throughout. Their Nimbus jacket comes in both a regular and longer length and works equally well for hiking and everyday commuting. A solid mid-range option with strong environmental credentials.
🌍 Canada-based, available globally
4. Ecoalf
Ecoalf is a Spanish brand and the first B Corp certified fashion company in Spain. They make stylish, versatile rain jackets from recycled nylon sourced from pre-consumer waste, with PFC-free waterproofing and bluesign certification. Their designs lean more fashion-forward than technical outdoor brands, so they’re great if you want something that works on a rainy city commute as much as a trail.
🌍 Spain-based, ships internationally
5. Fjallraven
Fjallraven has been making outdoor gear in Sweden since 1960, and sustainability is embedded in how they operate rather than just tacked on as a marketing strategy. Their High Coast Hydratic jacket is made from recycled nylon with a PFC-free waterproof breathable laminate and DWR finish. Like most of their products, it’s designed to last for years and be repaired rather than replaced.
🌍 Sweden-based, available globally
6. MAIUM
MAIUM was founded in Amsterdam, a city that gets a LOT of rain, which means these jackets are definitely designed with wet weather in mind. They use recycled PET bottles and organic cotton with PU coating for waterproof protection, are certified OEKO-TEX and GRS, and completely free from PFC and other harmful substances. Their jackets also have side zippers that convert them into bike ponchos, which is a detail I love. A great option for urban and everyday use.
🌍 Netherlands-based, ships internationally
7. Rapanui
Rapanui is a UK brand doing something truly unique in the raincoat space. Instead of recycled synthetics, their jackets are made from GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas with a PFC-free water-resistant coating. No plastic, no petroleum-based fabrics. The result is a more relaxed, casual design that works perfectly as an everyday jacket. They also operate a take-back and recycling program for end of life garments.
🌍 UK-based, ships internationally
8. Paramo
Paramo is a UK brand making some of the most technically impressive sustainable waterproof jackets out there. Their Velez jacket uses Nikwax Analogy fabric, a membrane-free construction that mimics animal fur to manage moisture from both directions without trapping heat. All materials are Fair Trade certified and the jacket can be recycled at the end of its life. It’s a pretty innovative product from a brand that has been quietly doing things right for years.
🌍 UK-based, ships internationally
9. Mammut
Mammut is a Swiss outdoor brand with over 150 years of history and a strong commitment to sustainability. Their Stoney HS jacket is made from recycled polyester with bluesign certification and a PFC-free DWR treatment, and Mammut is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation with independently audited labor practices. A reliable, high-performance option especially suited to alpine conditions.
🌍 Switzerland-based, available globally
10. Nau
Nau is a brand originating in Portland that makes outerwear from recycled polyester, recycled denim, and organic cotton with PFC-free DWR finishes throughout their range. Their designs are minimal with a strong urban aesthetic, and they’re unusually transparent about their environmental impact and supply chain. A good option if you want something that works as well in the city as on a trail.
🌍 US-based, ships internationally
11. Craghoppers
Craghoppers is a UK outdoor brand that has been doing some quietly impressive sustainability work. Their Dynamic jacket is made from recycled polyester using around 60 plastic bottles per jacket, with an EcoShield plant-based DWR finish that replaces harmful PFCs with plant-derived chemistry. Widely available across Europe and a good mid-range option that doesn’t sacrifice performance for sustainability.
🌍 UK-based, available globally
A good raincoat bought once and worn for years is one of the better investments you can make going into fall. The brands on this list have all done the work on materials and certifications, so whichever direction you go you can feel good about what you’re buying.
