Sierra Gloves Men's vs Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's: which is safer?
Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's is the clear pick. Icebreaker Sierra Gloves Men's carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Icebreaker
Sierra Gloves Men's
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
Possiblewater-repellent coating finishing chemicals (PFAS status unknown)
PossibleAllergic contact dermatitis from residual finishes or dyes
Our pick
Patagonia
Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAzo dyes and heavy metal pigments
PossibleMicroplastic shedding during wash
Where these two actually differ
- We flag DWR finishing chemicals (PFAS status unknown) and Allergic contact dermatitis from residual finishes or dyes on the Icebreaker and not on the Patagonia.
- We flag Azo dyes and heavy metal pigments and Microplastic shedding during wash on the Patagonia and not on the Icebreaker.
- The Icebreaker is Merino wool blend with DWR treatment where the Patagonia is Polyester fleece (recycled), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 70 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Patagonia 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 waterproof winter gloves: see the full ranking