The Best Non-Toxic Clothing of 2026
We scored 9 clothing for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them safest first. The top pick is Levi's Levi's 501 Jeans at 80/100. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.
89% of the 9 clothing we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
The safest PFAS-free clothing we have scored
- 1
Levi's
501 Jeans
PFAS Grade80ExcellentOverall Grade58Good🎨70Azo dyes in indigo coloring
Limited concern
💨70Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
🫧45Microplastic shedding from synthetic finishing agents
Moderate concern
🐛70Pesticide residue
Limited concern
Low risk. Denim lacks typical PFAS use cases or specialty coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
The clothing we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.
Gore-Tex
Rain Jacket
Azo dyes and colorant toxicity
Limited concern
Antimony in synthetic fibers
Limited concern
VOC off-gassing from laminate adhesives
Limited concern
High risk. Gore-Tex waterproof technology typically uses PFAS-based treatments.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Waterproof Jacket
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored polyester
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Moderate concern
Medium-high risk. Waterproof coating likely contains PFAS; no brand transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Rain Jacket
Azo dyes in synthetic fabrics
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester fibers
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Moderate concern
Medium-high risk. Water-repellent finish typical of rain jackets commonly uses PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
What we check on clothing
- Formaldehyde / VOCs. Off-gassing chemicals from some finishes, textiles, and pressed wood. ATSDR
- Endocrine disruptors. Chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormone system. NIEHS
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
Common questions about PFAS-free clothing
Is clothing PFAS free?
Mostly not. Of the 9 clothing we have scored, 89% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 1 that pass. The highest scoring is Levi's Levi's 501 Jeans at 80 out of 100. The lowest is Gore-Tex Gore-Tex Rain Jacket at 20.
What is the safest clothing you have scored?
Levi's Levi's 501 Jeans, at 80 out of 100, which we band as Excellent.
Which clothing should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Gore-Tex Gore-Tex Rain Jacket at 20, Columbia Columbia Waterproof Jacket at 25, The North Face The North Face Rain Jacket at 25. The problem with the first is that high risk. Gore-Tex waterproof technology typically uses PFAS-based treatments.
How can you tell if clothing contain PFAS?
In this category we check for formaldehyde / vocs, endocrine disruptors. Off-gassing chemicals from some finishes, textiles, and pressed wood. Language like stain resistant, water repellent or easy release usually means fluorinated chemistry even when PFAS is never printed on the box.
Do you lab test clothing?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
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We also wrote this up at length. PFAS in Clothing, Which Brands Grade Best and Worst
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 9 clothing.