501 Jeans vs Rain Jacket: which is safer?
Levi's 501 Jeans is the clear pick. Patagonia Rain Jacket carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
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
Patagonia
Rain Jacket
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFormaldehyde resins (fabric finish)
PossibleAzo dyes
PossibleAntimony in polyester
Where these two actually differ
- 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 Patagonia.
- We flag Formaldehyde resins (fabric finish), Azo dyes, Antimony in polyester and DWR coating degradation and leachable breakdown products on the Patagonia and not on the Levi's.
- The gap is 35 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, which covers 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 →
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