Men's Torrentshell 3L Rain Pants vs Women's Torrentshell 3L Pants: which is safer?
Patagonia Women's Torrentshell 3L Pants is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Patagonia
Men's Torrentshell 3L Rain Pants
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
Possiblewater-repellent coating chemistry (PFAS unverified)
PossibleNylon microfiber shedding from wear
Reportedwater-repellent coating degradation and reapplication
Our pick
Patagonia
Women's Torrentshell 3L Pants
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
Possiblewater-repellent coating finish composition (unstated chemistry)
PossibleVOC off-gassing from fabric and finish
Where these two actually differ
- We flag DWR coating chemistry (PFAS unverified), Nylon microfiber shedding from wear and DWR coating degradation and reapplication on the Patagonia and not on the Patagonia.
- We flag DWR finish composition (unstated chemistry) and VOC off-gassing from fabric and finish on the Patagonia and not on the Patagonia.
- The Patagonia is Nylon with durable water repellent (DWR) treatment where the Patagonia is Nylon with DWR durable water repellent finish, 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.
- We are less certain about the Patagonia grade, at 42% 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 rain pants, see the full ranking