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.
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Material
Nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating finish (type unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
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 ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
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.
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 PFAS-free or PFC-free 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 we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Arc'teryx has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Rain Pants
Patagonia
Women's Torrentshell 3L Pants
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating finish
Medium risk. Lower-concern choice within waterproof apparel backed by brand commitment. Verify specific batch before purchase.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More 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.