Non-Toxic Softshell Jackets, ranked by PFAS grade

Are softshell jackets safe?

None of the 15 softshell jackets we graded come back low-concern on our screen. Our grades are model-based assessments built from published materials, ingredient lists, certifications and brand disclosures, not laboratory tests, so they say what we can evidence rather than that anything is safe.

Best graded softshell jackets here

1Patagonia Men's R2 TechFace Hoody 45 out of 100
2Patagonia Men's Nano-Air Light Hybrid Hoody 45 out of 100
3Patagonia Men's R2 TechFace Jacket 45 out of 100

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The best non-toxic softshell jackets, ranked by grade

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Buyer’s guide

What to look for in softshell jackets, and which brands grade best and worst

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Why Patagonia Men's R2 TechFace Hoody grades highest here, and why that is not a pass

Every grade on this page is one sum. A category starts from a baseline, each disclosed material or coating adds risk points, and each thing the brand or a third party has published takes them away. Below is that sum for the winner, then for 1 product it beats, so you can see exactly where the 25 points between the top and the bottom of this softshell jackets ranking come from. Nothing in this category reaches our 70 point pass mark, so this is the shape of the field rather than a recommendation.

Top graded, and still below our pass mark

45Poor

Patagonia Men's R2 TechFace Hoody

Made of Polyester shell with water-repellent coating treatment.

+35Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment. Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
+30Category baseline. The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
-10Brand-stated PFAS-free. The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.

55risk points in total, which is a grade of 45

What the grade does not fix. It still carries one risk factor, Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment, and our graders recorded 3 other hazards on it. See the full breakdown.

Full breakdown

What it still grades above, and why

20Bad25 points behind the winner

Arc'Teryx Beta SL Jacket for Men Black Sapphire / M

What puts it behind. No PFAS disclosure, +15 points. No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product. The top-graded product carries no such factor.

Made of Nylon shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment.

+35Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
+30Category baseline
+15No PFAS disclosure

80risk points, a grade of 20

No product on this page was physically tested by us. Every number above comes from published materials, ingredient and coating disclosures, certifications and brand statements, scored on one public rubric. Formulations change without notice, so check the current product listing before buying.

Which softshell jackets contain PFAS? Poor and Bad, we’d swap these

Patagonia

Men's R2 TechFace Hoody

45PoorPFAS grade

✓ Bluesign®

Polyester shell with water-repellent coating treatment
The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
PFAS

3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Non-Toxic Softshell Jackets, ranked by PFAS grade

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Are softshell jackets safe?

Why Patagonia Men's R2 TechFace Hoody grades highest here, and why that is not a pass

What it still grades above, and why

Which softshell jackets contain PFAS? Poor and Bad, we’d swap these

Get the graded list, free.