Waterproof Jacket vs 501 Jeans: which is safer?
Levi's 501 Jeans is the clear pick. Columbia Waterproof Jacket carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Columbia
Waterproof Jacket
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
LikelyPFAS in waterproof coating
PossibleFormaldehyde in textile resins
PossibleAzo dyes in colored polyester
Our pick
Levi's
501 Jeans
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAzo dyes in indigo coloring
PossibleFormaldehyde in sizing and finishing resins
ReportedMicroplastic shedding from synthetic finishing agents
Where these two actually differ
- We flag PFAS in waterproof coating, Formaldehyde in textile resins, Azo dyes in colored polyester and Coating degradation and microfiber shedding on the Columbia and not on the Levi's.
- We flag Azo dyes in indigo coloring, Formaldehyde in sizing and finishing resins, Microplastic shedding from synthetic finishing agents and Residual pesticide or processing chemicals from cotton on the Levi's and not on the Columbia.
- The gap is 55 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Levi's is the one to buy.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More clothing: see the full ranking