Hiking Pants, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. None grade Good or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.
Start here
The best non-toxic hiking pants, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Columbia
Women's All Seasons Pull-On Pants
Nylon/polyester blend knit, no stated water-repellent finish
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastics
Moderate concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Low-medium risk due to basic textile construction without brand transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Columbia
Men's Stealth Spring Chino Pants
cotton-blend chino twill (no water-repellent treatment noted)
Azo dyes (synthetic colorants)
Limited concern
Low-medium risk; basic chino without reported water or stain treatment and no PFAS disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
The North Face
Men's Basin Pants
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry
High concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Moderate concern
High risk; waterproof pants likely treated with legacy PFAS without brand disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Men's Sprag 5-Pocket Pants
Cotton/nylon blend with water-repellent coating finish (likely fluorocarbon-based)
PFAS
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Limited concern
High risk; skip until North Face commits to PFAS-free water-repellent coating or transparent testing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Outdoor Everyday Pants
Nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding from nylon
Limited concern
Lower risk than legacy gear, but Patagonia leaves water-repellent coating treatment specifics undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Terravia Trail Pants
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
water-repellent coating (Durable Water-Resistant) coating chemistry
Limited concern
Coating degradation and shedding over time
Limited concern
Likely lower concern, but contact Patagonia directly about water-repellent coating process.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Houdini Rock Climbing Pants
Nylon with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication temptation
Limited concern
High risk; skip until Patagonia confirms PFAS-free water-repellent coating or switches treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Fjallraven
Abisko Hike Trousers Men's
G-1000 HeavyDuty fabric (65% polyester, 35% cotton), water-repellent coating unspecified
water-repellent coating leachability and unknown chemistry
Limited concern
Antimony residue in polyester fiber
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during washing
Limited concern
High risk from unknown water-repellent coating treatment; Fjallraven doesn't disclose coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Fjallraven
Abisko Lite Trekking Trousers Men's
G-1000 fabric (65% polyester/35% cotton blend) with water-repellent coating finish
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding during laundering
High concern
water-repellent coating durability and reapplication hazard
Limited concern
Lower risk likely, but contact Fjallraven about water-repellent coating finish specifics.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Fjallraven
Fjällräven Men's Keb GTX Waterproof Shell Trousers
GORE-TEX laminate membrane (polytetrafluoroethylene-based)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Moderate concern
High risk due to GORE-TEX; Fjällräven provides no PFAS disclosure or alternatives.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Men's Silver Ridge Convertible Pants
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
High concern
Microplastic shedding during washing
Limited concern
High risk; typical convertible pants use PFAS-containing water-repellent coating finishes without Columbia disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Men's Silver Ridge Utility Pants
Nylon blend with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Coating degradation over time
Limited concern
High risk; skip until Columbia discloses water-repellent coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Men's Silver Ridge Convertible Pant
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating finish
water-repellent coating degradation and leaching
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
High risk; outdoor pants with water-repellent coating, PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Men's Silver Ridge Utility Pants - Size 44 - Green
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
High concern
Antimony in polyester fiber
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during wear and wash
Limited concern
High risk; Columbia's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is concerning, ask for treatment details before purchase.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Men's Pitchstone Outdoor Pants
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
Limited concern
High risk; outdoor pants with water-repellent coating treatment carry PFAS risk without Columbia chemistry details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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