Snow 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 snow pants, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Patagonia
Men's Powder Town Pants
nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Nylon degradation and microfiber shedding
Moderate concern
Moderate concern; Patagonia's water-repellent coating lacks transparency on whether it contains PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Men's Dawnstrike GTX Pants
Nylon with GORE-TEX membrane (ePTFE laminate)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
GORE-TEX Teflon-family coating membrane durability and coating degradation
Moderate concern
Nylon fiber microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Avoid if you're concerned about PFAS; GORE-TEX Teflon-family coating may contain legacy PFAS without brand disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Men's Chakal Pant
nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
Microfiber shedding during wear and wash
Limited concern
water-repellent coating durability and reapplication exposure
Limited concern
Avoid until The North Face reveals what water-repellent coating is used or switches to PFAS-free options.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Storm Shift Pants
Nylon blend with water-repellent coating treatment (likely fluorocarbon-based)
PFAS
High concern
Nylon microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Avoid or ask Patagonia directly, water-repellent coating probably contains PFAS with no clarity offered.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Insulated Storm Shift Ski/Snowboard Pants
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish; insulated lining
water-repellent coating composition (fluorocarbon vs. fluorocarbon-free)
Limited concern
Avoid until Patagonia clarifies water-repellent coating chemistry or commits to PFAS-free treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Burton
Men's Ballast GORE-TEX 2L Pants
GORE-TEX 2L membrane laminate (polytetrafluoroethylene-based)
Teflon-type coating thermal decomposition (fume risk)
Limited concern
Coating or membrane degradation over time
Moderate concern
Avoid if concerned about PFAS; Teflon-type coating membrane carries risk and Burton discloses nothing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Burton
Men's Reserve 2L 3-In-1 Pants
Nylon/polyester shell with water-repellent coating water-resistant finish
water-repellent coating chemistry (fluorinated or non-fluorinated unknown)
Limited concern
VOC off-gassing from adhesives and coatings
Limited concern
Avoid or contact Burton, silent on PFAS in a waterproof jacket where water-repellent coating matters most.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Women's Bugaboo II Pants
Nylon taffeta with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Nylon fiber microplastic shedding during wear and wash
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Coating degradation and reapplication risk
Moderate concern
Avoid until Columbia reveals water-repellent coating chemistry or adopts PFAS-free treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Women's Platinum Peak II 3L Pants
Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
High concern
Polyester microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Membrane/laminate degradation over time
Moderate concern
Avoid until Columbia clarifies water-repellent coating chemistry; 3L waterproofing commonly uses fluorinated treatments.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Men's Whistler Peak Waterproof Rain Pants
Polyester shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes and colorant compounds
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding during use and washing
Moderate concern
Avoid unless Columbia reveals water-repellent coating chemistry; waterproof apparel usually requires PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Women's Slope Seeker Insulated Pants
polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Off-gassing from synthetic insulation
Limited concern
Avoid or ask Columbia directly, no public PFAS statement for this model.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Men's Bugaboo V Pants
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microparticle shed
Limited concern
Avoid until Columbia reveals water-repellent coating chemistry, typical outdoor pants use PFAS coatings.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Women's Storm Surge II Rain Pants
Synthetic outer shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
High concern
Coating degradation and particle shedding
Limited concern
Higher PFAS risk because of waterproofing; Columbia doesn't reveal water-repellent coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Columbia
Women's Whistler Peak Pants
Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Limited concern
Avoid if concerned about PFAS; Columbia's water-repellent coating finish likely contains legacy PFAS with no transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Salomon
Men's Brilliant Pant
Polyester blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Coating degradation and particle shedding
Limited concern
Avoid until Salomon discloses or certifies PFAS-free status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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