Patagonia Review, Is Patagonia Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 41 graded products, Patagonia averages Poor (37/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 1 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from Patagonia Good or better, safest first
Patagonia
R4 Yulex Regulator Three Finger Mitts
Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free alternative
Coating degradation and water-repellency loss
External water-blocking treatments on Yulex may degrade over time, especially with salt…
Allergen potential from Yulex itself
Yulex is plant-derived (guayule) and cross-reactivity with latex or other plant proteins…
Lower PFAS concern; Yulex is a known PFAS-reduction choice, independent verification absent.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Patagonia
Men's Straight Fit Jeans
cotton denim, no water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Azo dyes and indigo dyestuff
Cotton denim is dyed with indigo (non-toxic) and supplementary reactive or azo dyes…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cotton textiles routinely use formaldehyde-based resins for crease retention and sizing.…
Fiber shedding and microfiber release
Conventional cotton denim sheds fibers during wear and washing, contributing to…
Pesticide residue
Patagonia's standard denim line does not specify organic certification; conventional…
Lower concern for untreated cotton denim.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's Performance Straight Fit Jeans
cotton/organic cotton denim
PFAS
Stain-resistant finish likely contains fluorochemical water-repellent coating; Patagonia…
Degradation of finish over time
water-repellent coating treatments lose effectiveness after 20-30 washes and may require…
Lower PFAS risk for untreated denim.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Women's Slim Work Denim Pants
Cotton-blend denim (no stated water-repellent or stain treatment)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Raw denim may contain trace formaldehyde from cotton processing and weaving size; this is…
Antimony in polyester blend components
If elastane or polyester is present in the blend (common for stretch and durability)…
Microplastic shedding during wash
All synthetic fiber blends shed microfibers during laundering; polyester or elastane…
Lower concern. Untreated cotton denim with no known water-repellent coating finish.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's Home Waters Hybrid Shorts
Polyester blend with PFAS-free water-repellent coating finish
Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester manufacturing can use antimony trioxide as a catalyst; Patagonia does not…
Microplastic shedding from polyester
Polyester textile fibers shed microplastics during washing and wear, particularly with…
Lower concern. Patagonia phased out PFAS-based water-repellent coating; verify current batch.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's
Polyester fleece (recycled)
Lower PFAS concern; fleece gloves rarely need water-repellent coating, but Patagonia has not publicly disclosed PFAS policy.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's Yulex Regulator Lite Front-Zip Full Wetsuit
Yulex (synthetic rubber, PTMEG-based), neoprene-free
Lower concern; Yulex rubber base avoids traditional neoprene, but water-repellent coating silence limits confidence.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's Yulex Regulator Lite Long John Wetsuit
Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free alternative
Lower concern; Yulex is PFAS-free by design, but no explicit brand confirmation provided.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's R2 Yulex Regulator Front-Zip Full Wetsuit
Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free base
Lower concern; Yulex is a synthetic rubber alternative without known PFAS use, but water-repellent coating unverified.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's Farrier's Work Shirt
Organic cotton, standard construction
Lower PFAS risk from basic work shirt; no water-resistant coating expected.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's R2 TechFace Hoody
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating treatment
Lower concern, Patagonia's public PFAS phase-out and explicit Teflon-type coating-free claim support this choice.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Women's Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
Nylon/polyester blend with elastane (standard swimwear)
Lower concern, basic swimwear without water-repellent coating, though Patagonia's broader PFAS practices warrant review.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Rain Jacket
PFAS
Patagonia's current rain jackets often contain PFAS-based water-repellent coating…
Teflon-type coating (Teflon) and fume inhalation risk
Some Patagonia jackets may use Teflon-type coating membranes or coatings. Teflon-type…
Microplastic shedding from synthetic coating or fabric
Synthetic rain jackets shed microplastics in washing, particularly older or damaged…
Medium risk. Patagonia's water-repellent technology may use PFAS; limited public disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Outdoor Everyday Shorts
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Antimony in polyester
Polyester catalysts may contain trace antimony, but this is not mobilized during normal…
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Any nylon/polyester garment sheds microfibers during washing. This is an environmental…
Lower concern. Patagonia uses PFC-free water-repellent coating; verify current batch details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Trailfarer Shorts
nylon and polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Polyester microfiber shedding during laundering
All polyester garments shed microfibers; the nylon blend may reduce this slightly…
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication products
As the original water-repellent coating wears, some users apply aftermarket water…
Lower PFAS concern; Patagonia uses safer water-repellent coating alternatives.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Women's Torrentshell 3L Pants
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating finish
Medium risk. Lower-concern choice within waterproof apparel backed by brand commitment. Verify specific batch before purchase.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Women's Untracked Jacket
recycled polyester with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
water-repellent coating treatment chemistry is not disclosed by brand. Long-chain PFAS…
Microplastics
Recycled polyester still sheds microfibers in wash and wear. Fiber loss is typical for…
Coating degradation and leaching
water-repellent coating coatings degrade with washing and UV exposure. As finish breaks…
Lightweight jacket with water-repellent coating finish.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Women's Cross Shore One-Piece Swimsuit
Nylon/polyamide blend with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
Nylon swimwear water-repellent coating treatments commonly use fluorinated PFAS in legacy…
Spandex degradation and microfiber shedding
Spandex degrades under UV exposure, chlorine, and heat; breakdown can release microfibers…
Avoid until Patagonia discloses or certifies water-repellent coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Women's Long Sleeved Swell Seeker One Piece Swimsuit
Nylon/polyamide with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Standard nylon swimwear water-repellent coating finishes are predominantly PFAS-based.…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde-releasing resins may be used in elastane blends or elastic components within…
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fiber
All nylon garments shed microfibers when washed. Swimwear experiences higher wash…
Swimsuit probably treated with PFAS-based water-repellent coating; Patagonia silent on PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Women's Sunny Tide One-Piece Swimsuit
Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
Water-repellent finishes on swimwear typically contain C8 or C6 PFAS unless explicitly…
Synthetic microfiber shedding
Nylon and polyester swimwear release microfibers during wear and washing. Patagonia…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester/nylon blends may be treated with formaldehyde-based resins during manufacturing…
Degradation of coating over time
water-repellent coating coatings on nylon/polyester deteriorate within 1-2 years of use…
water-repellent coating-coated swimsuit material unknown; Patagonia silent on PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Women's Snowdrifter Jacket
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
PFAS
Patagonia has not disclosed whether the Snowdrifter uses legacy long-chain PFAS…
Polyester fiber degradation and microfiber shedding
Polyester itself does not leach chemical additives under normal wear, but mechanical…
Patagonia silent on PFAS in water-repellent coating treatment; uncertain risk level.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Snowdrifter Jacket
recycled polyester shell with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Patagonia's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry and lack of PFAS-free…
Microfiber shedding during laundering
Recycled polyester sheds microfibers like virgin polyester when washed or worn. This is…
water-repellent coating treatment likely applied; Patagonia silent on PFAS chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's M10 Anorak
Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Heavy metals
Nylon fabrics can be colored with various dye classes. Patagonia's manufacturing audits…
water-repellent coating finish degradation and microrelease
water-repellent coating coatings degrade with wear and washing, shedding fine…
Nylon microfiber shedding during laundering
Synthetic nylon textiles release microfibers in wash cycles. This anorak, like all nylon…
water-repellent coating treatment likely contains PFAS; Patagonia silent on composition.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Black Hole Pack 25L Patagonia
nylon/polyester pack with water-repellent coating
water-repellent coating chemical identity and leaching
Patagonia has not disclosed whether this pack uses legacy PFOA-based water-repellent…
Microfiber shedding during use or washing
Synthetic fabric packs shed microfibers during abrasion and washing. This is…
Patagonia's PFAS transparency is insufficient; typical durable packs use water-repellent coating of unknown chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Refugio Day Pack 30L
Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
water-repellent coating finishes on nylon/polyester backpacks commonly contain PFAS, but…
Microplastics
Synthetic nylon/polyester fabrics shed microfibers during washing and wear. While not…
Lower concern, but Patagonia's water-repellent coating treatment details remain undisclosed; ask them directly.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Homepool Mitt Fishing Gloves
Neoprene with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
PFAS
Neoprene gloves' water-repellent finish almost certainly contains fluorinated compounds…
Neoprene chlorine-release (manufacturing residue)
Neoprene production can leave trace chlorine compounds if not fully rinsed. Finished…
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
With repeated washing and flexing, water-repellent coating coatings can degrade and shed…
Wait or request material specs; Patagonia's water-repellent coating finish likely contains PFAS, undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Sunrise Stream Shirt
Nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating finish
water-repellent coating durability and reapplication safety
The water-repellent coating finish will wear out and may flake or generate microparticles…
Moderate concern from typical water-repellent coating treatment likely containing PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Back Step Shirt
Recycled polyester with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Patagonia's undisclosed water-repellent coating formulation may include short-chain PFAS…
Microfiber shedding during wash
Polyester garments shed microplastics during laundering, especially in first 5-10 washes…
Likely lower concern, but Patagonia keeps water-repellent coating chemistry undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Outdoor Everyday Pants
Nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
PFAS
Patagonia's water-repellent coating formulation for this product line is not publicly…
Microfiber shedding from nylon
Nylon textiles shed microfibers during washing; this is environmental concern rather than…
Lower risk than legacy gear, but Patagonia leaves water-repellent coating treatment specifics undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Terravia Trail Pants
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
water-repellent coating (Durable Water-Resistant) coating chemistry
water-repellent coating finishes on synthetic textiles commonly use fluorinated or…
Coating degradation and shedding over time
Any water-repellent coating degrades with wear and washing. As the finish breaks down…
Likely lower concern, but contact Patagonia directly about water-repellent coating process.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Houdini Rock Climbing Pants
Nylon with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Brand has not disclosed whether water-repellent coating treatment contains…
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication temptation
Once factory water-repellent coating fails, owners may retreat the garment with…
High risk; skip until Patagonia confirms PFAS-free water-repellent coating or switches treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Torrentshell 3L Rain Pants
Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Torrentshell 3L uses water-repellent coating finish; Patagonia's failure to disclose…
Nylon microfiber shedding during washing
Synthetic fabrics including nylon release microplastics into wastewater during…
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication exposure
As the water-repellent coating wears, users typically reapply commercial water-repellent…
High risk. High-performance rain gear likely contains legacy or replacement PFAS in water-repellent coating. Patagonia's silence is a red flag.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Granite Crest Rain Pants
Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Not product-specifically tested, but nylon rain apparel with fluorinated water-repellent…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon textiles sometimes use formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or…
Microfiber shedding
Nylon sheds microfibers during washing, as with all synthetic textiles. This is not a…
Medium risk. water-repellent coating presents concern due to moderate PFAS risk; Patagonia's transparency on chemistry is limited.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Fitz Roy Down Sleeping Bag
Down fill + nylon or polyester shell with water-repellent coating treatment
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from nylon/polyester shell and finish
New synthetic textiles commonly release toluene, xylene, and other VOCs, especially when…
water-repellent coating chemical composition undisclosed (fluorocarbon-based or alternative)
Patagonia does not specify whether water-repellent coating uses legacy PFOA, modern…
Down contamination (allergens, microorganisms if wet)
Responsible Down Standard reduces bird-disease risk, but down retains moisture if not…
Nylon shell degradation and microfiber shedding over time
Repeated washing, UV exposure, and friction cause nylon fibers to break down and shed…
No verification of PFAS status; Patagonia silent on shell treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30F/-1C Sleeping Bag
Nylon ripstop shell, synthetic insulation (likely polyester or down blend), water-repellent coating-treated fabric
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) fluorocarbon composition
Nylon ripstop shells almost universally use water-repellent coating coatings…
Off-gassing and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
New synthetic insulation and nylon shell fabrics may emit low levels of VOCs (aldehydes…
Unknown waterproof treatment; Patagonia hasn't disclosed water-repellent coating details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger Sleeping Bag
Synthetic insulation + nylon shell with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
The nylon shell's water-repellent coating finish composition is undisclosed. Patagonia…
Synthetic fiber shedding and microfiber release
Nylon and polyester insulation can shed microscopic fibers, especially if the shell is…
Mold and bacterial growth if stored wet
If the bag is packed away damp or in high humidity, mold and mildew can develop inside…
Uncertain coating chemistry despite Patagonia's PFAS commitment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Powder Town Pants
nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
PFAS
water-repellent coating finish may contain legacy long-chain PFAS or newer short-chain…
Nylon degradation and microfiber shedding
All synthetic snow pants shed microfibers during washing and wear. If water-repellent…
Moderate concern; Patagonia's water-repellent coating lacks transparency on whether it contains PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Storm Shift Pants
Nylon blend with water-repellent coating treatment (likely fluorocarbon-based)
PFAS
Nylon blend with water-repellent coating finish almost certainly contains C6 or C8…
Nylon microfiber shedding
Synthetic nylon textiles release microfibers during washing and wear. Storm Shift pants…
Avoid or ask Patagonia directly, water-repellent coating probably contains PFAS with no clarity offered.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Insulated Storm Shift Ski/Snowboard Pants
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish; insulated lining
water-repellent coating composition (fluorocarbon vs. fluorocarbon-free)
Undisclosed water-repellent coating chemistry creates uncertainty about PFAS presence.…
Avoid until Patagonia clarifies water-repellent coating chemistry or commits to PFAS-free treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's R2 TechFace Jacket
Polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Fluorochemical water-repellent coating treatments are the primary source of PFAS in…
Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst in polyester production and can remain as a trace…
Microfiber shedding during washing
All synthetic textiles shed microfibers in the wash. No product-specific data exists for…
Moderate PFAS risk from water-repellent coating; Patagonia doesn't disclose composition or PFAS-free status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody
Polyester ripstop with water-repellent coating finish (nylon stretch side)
water-repellent coating (fluorocarbon-based or alternative)
Nano-Air Light uses a water-repellent coating finish typical of softshell jackets…
Polyester microfiber shedding
Polyester ripstop jackets shed microfibers during washing, particularly if washed…
Nylon stretch panel degradation
Repeated flexing and UV exposure can degrade nylon elastomers over 2-3 years of regular…
Moderate PFAS risk from likely water-repellent coating; Patagonia is silent on chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →