Technical clothing 3rd layer technical garments now often have water-repellent treatments.

For many years, these water-repellent finishes have been composed of fluorocarbons, and more specifically perfluorocarbons (PFCs). These PFCs are hydrophobic to repel water, and lipophobic to repel grease.

These chemicals have been denounced by the scientific community and by some NGOs because PFCs are highly toxic, even in small doses. They are considered to be carcinogenic, endocrine disruptors and extremely polluting for the environment because they do not degrade. 

AYAQ chooses its fabrics without the application of finishes for some (1stera or 2ndth layer), to reduce the amount of substances applied when not necessary and justified.

For the 3rd layers that require water protection qualities, AYAQ selects fabrics with a PFC-free water repellent treatment.

Since the alarm bells went off in 2015, PFC-free alternatives have been developed and improved, offering outstanding water-repellent performance that is well within the requirements of intense mountain practice. 

A limitation remains for the time being with a slightly less effective performance than PFC treatments in wash resistance and grease stain resistance. 

With the urgent need to save our planet as a priority, AYAQ puts the environment ahead of stain-resistant performance.