Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's vs Men's Powderbound Gloves: which is safer?
Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's is the clear pick. Rei Co-op Men's Powderbound Gloves carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
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
REI Co-op
Men's Powderbound Gloves
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
LikelyFluorocarbon water-repellent coating (PFAS class)
PossiblePolyester fiber shedding and microplastics
PossibleContact dermatitis from dyes or finishes
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Azo dyes and heavy metal pigments and Microplastic shedding during wash on the Patagonia and not on the REI Co-op.
- We flag Fluorocarbon DWR coating (PFAS class), Polyester fiber shedding and microplastics and Contact dermatitis from dyes or finishes on the REI Co-op and not on the Patagonia.
- The Patagonia is Polyester fleece (recycled) where the REI Co-op is Synthetic insulation; likely polyester shell with DWR finish, 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.
- We are less certain about the REI Co-op grade, at 35% confidence against 72%, because it discloses less.
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 →
More waterproof winter gloves, see the full ranking