Men's 501 Original Thermodapt Jeans vs Women's Slim Work Denim Pants: which is safer?
Levi's Men's 501 Original Thermodapt Jeans is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Levi's
Men's 501 Original Thermodapt Jeans
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAzo dyes and color fastness
PossibleFormaldehyde residues from finishing
PossibleDegradation and microfiber shedding
Patagonia
Women's Slim Work Denim Pants
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFormaldehyde-release resins (sizing and finishes)
PossibleAntimony in polyester blend components
ReportedMicroplastic shedding during wash
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Azo dyes and color fastness, Formaldehyde residues from finishing and Degradation and microfiber shedding on the Levi's and not on the Patagonia.
- We flag Formaldehyde-release resins (sizing and finishes), Antimony in polyester blend components and Microplastic shedding during wash on the Patagonia and not on the Levi's.
- The Levi's is 100% cotton denim, no disclosed water-resistant treatment where the Patagonia is Cotton-blend denim (no stated water-repellent or stain treatment), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
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 stain-resistant jeans: see the full ranking