Shaun White’s WHITESPACE partners with eVent Fabrics for PFAS-free performance pants

WHITESPACE, co-founded by three-time Olympic gold medallist Shaun White and his brother Jesse White in partnership with outdoor retailer Backcountry, selected eVent Fabric’s alpineST as the waterproof-breathable membrane for its top-tier pants. The laminate offers high-performance waterproofness and breathability while eliminating PFAS chemicals and incorporating recycled materials.

Material partnerships drive technical credibility

The partnership with eVent Fabrics reveals WHITESPACE’s approach to product development: building technical credibility through material selection. Rather than licensing his name to existing manufacturers, White has built a vertically integrated brand that controls product design, material sourcing, and creative direction.

“When we looked to source materials for our Performance 3L Pant, eVent became the only choice that made sense for us,” said Jesse White, co-founder and chief creative officer for WHITESPACE. “Not only does alpineST provide the performance we demand, but like WHITESPACE, eVent is a forward-looking company, making products that help reduce environmental impact by forgoing PFAS chemicals and incorporating recycled materials.”

The Performance 3L Pant combines the alpineST laminate with fully taped seams, articulated construction, four-way stretch gaiters, expandable cargo system, and thermal media pockets. The product carries a PFC-free durable water repellent treatment and uses recycled materials throughout construction.

The increasing relevance of PFAS alternatives

WHITESPACE’s eVent partnership combines technical legitimacy—eVent’s reputation in breathable waterproof membranes—with sustainability:

“Our alpineST laminate is designed to provide performance and comfort in some of the most extreme on-mountain conditions,” said Chad Kelly, vice president of eVent Fabrics. “Our partnership with WHITESPACE will give snowboarders an incredible option for durable weather protection and, like the rest of eVent’s offering, alpineST is PFAS-free, making it the perfect option for brands catering to uncompromising mountain athletes.”

The partnership also positions WHITESPACE within broader industry shifts towards PFAS alternatives as regulatory pressure mounts on forever chemicals in outdoor apparel. Many major European retailers—including Globetrotter, Decathlon, and Sport-Scheck—have begun requiring PFAS-free certifications or eliminated PFAS from their inventory, creating commercial incentives for brands to adopt alternative membrane technologies.