PFAS substances
Viking aims to eliminate the use of PFAS substances in our products during 2024, to minimize the risk for human health and the environment. This is an important milestone in our long-term journey to continuously reduce the impact of our products.
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Why are PFAS substances used?
The reason why PFAS are so widely used in the outdoor industry is that they have unique technical properties. Viking’s waterproof products are made from fabrics that have a membrane laminated on the inside. The membranes are waterproof, but still breathable. In order to give the fabric additional resistance to humidity and water, the products are given a surface treatment that makes the outer fabric water-repellent, a so-called Durable Water Repellency (DWR) treatment. It is this treatment and the membrane that may contain PFAS substances.
Why are PFAS substances used?
The reason why PFAS are so widely used in the outdoor industry is that they have unique technical properties. Viking’s waterproof products are made from fabrics that have a membrane laminated on the inside. The membranes are waterproof, but still breathable. In order to give the fabric additional resistance to humidity and water, the products are given a surface treatment that makes the outer fabric water-repellent, a so-called Durable Water Repellency (DWR) treatment. It is this treatment and the membrane that may contain PFAS substances.
What are PFAS substances?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances) is a group of more than 10,000 man-made substances, which are also called fluorocarbons or so-called ‘forever chemicals’. As they do not break down in the environment their continuous emissions will result in high concentrations in nature over time. And since some PFAS substances are bioaccumulative (stored in living organisms), exposure to PFAS chemicals via drinking water, air, or the food web can result in significant health effects for humans and other species in the environment.
Humans can also be exposed to PFAS in consumer products directly e.g. via skin contact. It is thus important to minimize the use of PFAS. Viking is working to replace the use of PFAS with more environmentally friendly, PFAS-free treatments during 2024.
What are PFAS substances?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances) is a group of more than 10,000 man-made substances, which are also called fluorocarbons or so-called ‘forever chemicals’. As they do not break down in the environment their continuous emissions will result in high concentrations in nature over time. And since some PFAS substances are bioaccumulative (stored in living organisms), exposure to PFAS chemicals via drinking water, air, or the food web can result in significant health effects for humans and other species in the environment.
Humans can also be exposed to PFAS in consumer products directly e.g. via skin contact. It is thus important to minimize the use of PFAS. Viking is working to replace the use of PFAS with more environmentally friendly, PFAS-free treatments during 2024.
PFAS-free membrane from GORE-TEX
Since 1992, Viking and GORE-TEX have collaborated to facilitate an active outdoor lifestyle by offering reliable and durable waterproof shoes. GORE-TEX has introduced a brand new innovative ePE membrane in its products. This membrane is an important milestone on GORE-TEX’s responsible performance journey, providing high-performance products, that are engineered for longevity. The new GORE-TEX ePE membrane is light, thin, yet strong, and it is PFAS-free.
PFAS-free membrane from GORE-TEX
Since 1992, Viking and GORE-TEX have collaborated to facilitate an active outdoor lifestyle by offering reliable and durable waterproof shoes. GORE-TEX has introduced a brand new innovative ePE membrane in its products. This membrane is an important milestone on GORE-TEX’s responsible performance journey, providing high-performance products, that are engineered for longevity. The new GORE-TEX ePE membrane is light, thin, yet strong, and it is PFAS-free.
How to maintain waterproof products?
Viking’s waterproof products come fully DWR impregnated from the factory, but because PFAS-free impregnation is less durable, the need for re-impregnation will increase. The frequency of this will vary based on how much the product is used and washed, and your need for the product’s water-repellent ability. For waterproof materials with membranes, we recommend PFAS-free spray impregnation for re-impregnation of products.
See our general advice for maintaining shoes with GORE-TEX® membranes here
How to maintain waterproof products?
Viking’s waterproof products come fully DWR impregnated from the factory, but because PFAS-free impregnation is less durable, the need for re-impregnation will increase. The frequency of this will vary based on how much the product is used and washed, and your need for the product’s water-repellent ability. For waterproof materials with membranes, we recommend PFAS-free spray impregnation for re-impregnation of products.
See our general advice for maintaining shoes with GORE-TEX® membranes here