Failing Grades for Outdoor Brands in ‘Forever Chemical’ Study

April 20, 2022

The outdoor industry is one of the worst offenders when it comes to using so-called “forever chemicals” in their products, a new study shows.

The report, published by the Natural Resources Defense Council and two partner groups, analyzes 30 companies across multiple industries on their use of PFAS—dangerous chemicals that pollute drinking water and build up in the environment over time.

Out of seven outdoor apparel brands studied, six of them—VF Corp., L.L.Bean, Columbia, REI, Wolverine Worldwide, and Academy Sports + Outdoors—got failing grades of D or F. Outside