Winter is no longer a stable season. Weather conditions become unpredictable, temperatures fluctuate, rain and wind alternate with brief spells of intense cold. In this scenario, the outdoors is no longer just synonymous with expeditions or extreme weekends, but is increasingly becoming part of everyday life: cycling, outdoor activities, travel, and urban living.
4Outdoor is also on Whatsapp. Just click here to subscribe to the channel and stay up to date.
To address this change, adapting doesn’t just mean rethinking the way we dress, but also rethinking our materials. This awareness has led to one of VAUDE‘s clearest and most fundamental decisions: the complete elimination of PFAS from all production. This concrete industrial decision eschews persistent chemical treatments in favor of more responsible solutions, without compromising protection and functionality.
In an increasingly fragile natural environment, performance can no longer ignore impact. For VAUDE, sustainability isn’t a message to be communicated, but a process that begins with design and ends with the finished product.
Three leaders, one vision
This philosophy takes shape in a selection of garments designed to respond to an ever-evolving outdoor environment, made up of variable conditions and transversal uses.
IDRIS 3-IN-1 PARKA MEN’S – Modular, PFAS/PFC-free protection for urban and everyday winters
The Idris IV 3in1 Parka from VAUDE offers protection and versatility on cold and unstable days thanks to a 3-in-1 construction that combines a waterproof, windproof, and breathable shell with an insulating fleece inner jacket. The Ceplex Active membrane ensures reliability even in the rain, while the PFAS/PFC-free Eco Finish water-repellent treatment repels water and dirt without using persistent chemicals.
The longer cut, which extends past the hips, increases coverage in the coldest conditions, while the adjustable, stowable hood and functional pockets make the piece suitable for everyday use. The two jackets can be worn together or separately, easily adapting to seasonal transitions and an increasingly unpredictable winter.
Escape Bike Light Rain Jacket – Waterproof and functional protection for everyday mobility
The VAUDE Escape Bike Light Rain Jacket is a waterproof jacket specifically designed for commuting and everyday cycling, designed to handle rain, wind, and changeable weather without sacrificing freedom of movement. Made from lightweight 2-layer material, it offers reliable protection with minimal bulk, making it easy to stow in a backpack or bag when not in use.
The construction is designed for active use: the adjustable hood can also be worn over a helmet, while reflective elements improve visibility in city traffic and low-light conditions. Waterproofing is combined with good breathability to ensure comfort even during the most dynamic journeys.
Designed without the use of PFAS, the Escape Bike Light Rain Jacket represents a concrete example of VAUDE’s approach to responsible design: a jacket designed to last over time, reduce environmental impact and meet the real needs of those on the move every day, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
ROSEMOOR WARM OVERPANTS MEN’S – Waterproof and insulated winter trousers for instant protection
The Rosemoor Warm Overpants from VAUDE offer protection and warmth on cold, wet days thanks to a waterproof, windproof, and breathable construction. Easy to pull on over trousers thanks to the adjustable elastic waistband, they protect from rain, wind, and snow without the use of PFAS/PFCs, thanks to the water-repellent Eco Finish treatment.
The inner lining provides thermal insulation, while the drawstrings and leg adjustments prevent water and snow from entering during movement. A full-zip pocket makes this an essential and functional piece, designed for walks, winter outdoor activities, and everyday use in variable weather conditions.
A necessary choice
These products demonstrate a clear and necessary paradigm shift: adaptability doesn’t come from adding persistent chemical treatments, but from more intelligent, responsible, and real-world design. In an increasingly unstable climate, protection can no longer be a standardized solution; it must become modular, functional, and designed to last.
VAUDE‘s decision to eliminate PFAS/PFCs is not a symbolic gesture, but part of a broader vision that focuses on conscious materials, repairable solutions, and garments capable of supporting people in their daily activities, season after season. A vision that rejects chemical shortcuts and instead focuses on design, technical expertise, and industrial responsibility. Because winter changes, and with it, the way we experience the outdoors.
And today, remaining credible means choosing how to protect, not just what to protect yourself from.
