Arc'teryx Gamma SL Pant Men's
Uncertain risk due to undisclosed water-repellent coating; Arc'teryx silent on PFAS ingredients.
The Gamma SL Pant has a water-repellent coating treatment on nylon typical of PFAS application historically, though newer alternatives exist. Arc'teryx keeps their specific water-repellent coating formula private.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating finish (type unspecified)
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Arc'teryx Gamma SL Pant Men's is made of, ingredients and materials
The Gamma SL uses nylon ripstop fabric, a lightweight synthetic chosen for durability and packability in rain gear. The critical unknown is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the exterior; Arc'teryx does not publicly specify whether this uses PFAS-based or fluorine-free chemistry. Nylon itself is stable and does not leach heavy metals or BPA under normal wear, but the surface treatment is where chemical concerns arise in modern rain pants.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Arc'teryx does not disclose whether the water-repellent coating finish uses traditional PFAS (PFCs), GenX, or fluorine-free chemistry. Nylon ripstop itself is inert, but surface coatings are the exposure pathway. Degradation over time and washing may increase contact with skin or aquatic systems.
Source, ATSDR ↗Nylon microfiber shedding during wear and wash
Synthetic ripstop sheds small fibers, especially after repeated washing. This is inherent to nylon textiles and not specific to Arc'teryx, but users should be aware that washing releases microplastics into wastewater.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in nylon colorant
No test data or recalls for azo dye concerns on Arc'teryx rain pants. Modern nylon textiles rarely use restricted azo dyes, but Arc'teryx does not publish dye standards or testing.
Heavy metals
Nylon production can involve trace metals in dyes (cadmium, lead historically), but no evidence of elevated levels in Arc'teryx products. Standard industry compliance makes this low-risk in contemporary manufacture.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon ripstop typically does not require formaldehyde-based finishes; the main finish is water-repellent coating. No formaldehyde concerns are documented for this product class or brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Arc'teryx is owned by Salomon (Salomon Group/Amer Sports) and has not published a PFAS policy or ingredient transparency statement. The company offers no public commitment to eliminating PFAS from water-repellent coating coatings, which is increasingly standard among competitors (e.g., Patagonia, The North Face disclosures). Arc'teryx's silence is notable given widespread industry awareness of PFAS risks since 2015+. No recalls or substantiated safety controversies beyond PFAS uncertainty are on record for this model.
How it compares in its category
Mid-range rain pants typically use either traditional PFAS water-repellent coating (older, cheaper) or fluorine-free alternatives (newer, pricier). Arc'teryx's lack of transparency puts it in an uncomfortable middle; competitors in this price tier (Patagonia Torrentshell, REI Co-op rain pants) now openly commit to lower-concern or fluorine-free water-repellent coating finishes. The Gamma SL's performance reputation is strong, but chemical disclosure lags peers, making risk assessment harder for cautious buyers.
If you buy it
Wash separately from undergarments on gentle cycles to reduce any potential water-repellent coating shedding. Avoid machine drying on high heat; air dry or low heat to preserve coating integrity. Do not iron directly on the fabric; iron the inside only if needed. Reapply water-repellent coating treatment every 1-2 years using a fluorine-free product to avoid unknown cumulative PFAS exposure if the original finish is PFAS-based and degrading.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Arc'teryx has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Arc'teryx Gamma SL Pant Men's?
- Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating finish
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- water-repellent coating finish composition (unstated chemistry)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- water-repellent coating chemistry (unknown composition)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Nylon with water-repellent coating (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.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore rain pants grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.