Banana Republic · Stain-Resistant Professional Workwear
Men's Slim Travel Pant
Higher concern due to water-repellent coating finish with undisclosed chemistry and no brand PFAS statement.
The cotton blend has a water-repellent coating finish. water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS, but the chemistry of this finish is not stated. Banana Republic has no PFAS statement on record for this product.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Cotton blend with water-repellent coating finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Men's Slim Travel Pant is made of, ingredients and materials
This pant is a cotton-synthetic blend treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on PFOA/PFOS (now largely phased out in US manufacturing) but many brands still use other PFAS compounds or non-disclosed alternatives. The cotton base is generally low-risk; the risk concentrates entirely in that water-repellent coating, which degrades with washing and wear, releasing fibers and residual chemicals into water and skin contact zones.
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
Water-repellent coating finish typically contains PFAS or legacy PFAS alternatives. Banana Republic does not disclose which chemistry is used. Exposure is via skin contact and washing water; risk increases with wear and repeated laundering as coating degrades.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester component
If the blend includes significant polyester (common in cotton-blend travel wear), antimony may be present as a polymerization catalyst. Levels in finished garments are usually low, but elevated skin exposure is theoretically possible on sensitive individuals with high-wear friction zones (waistband, seams). Banana Republic does not publish antimony testing.
Microfiber shedding from coating and weave
Synthetic coatings and blended-fiber construction shed microfibers into wash water and air during wear. This is a documented environmental concern; personal health risk is lower but unresolved. Washing in a mesh bag reduces shedding volume.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No established record of formaldehyde-resin finishes in Banana Republic cotton blends. Most brands reserve heavy formaldehyde use for wrinkle-free or permanent-press synthetics, which this product does not claim. Standard cotton-blend finishing is not a known hazard source for this category.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and colorfast toxicity
Banana Republic uses mainstream textile dyers without public recalls or warnings for azo dye toxicity in apparel. Travel pants in neutral colors (khaki, navy, gray) typically use lower-risk dye profiles than printed or heavily saturated colors. No specific issue is known for this product.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Banana Republic is owned by Gap Inc., which has made limited public commitments on PFAS in apparel. The brand does not publish detailed chemical disclosure for individual items or water-repellent coating treatment types. Industry standard transparency on PFAS in textiles remains poor; Banana Republic offers no published testing, certifications (like bluesign or OEKO-TEX), or commitment to PFAS-free alternatives. This silence is typical for mainstream fashion but leaves the consumer without assurance.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream travel pants include water-repellent coating treatment because outdoor performance is expected; true PFAS-free alternatives exist (from brands like Patagonia with public PFAS phase-out commitments) but cost more and are less available. Banana Republic sits in the mid-market space where water-repellent coating is standard but brand transparency is below emerging environmental leaders. If water resistance is not essential, untreated or naturally water-resistant cotton blends avoid the chemical question entirely.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with mild detergent to extend water-repellent coating durability and minimize chemical shedding; avoid high heat and dry cleaning. Replace when water repellency visibly fails (typically 20-40 wears and washes). If you have sensitive skin or chemical sensitivities, pre-wash multiple times before wearing. Do not use fabric softener, which degrades water-repellent coating coatings and may interact with residual PFAS compounds.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Banana Republic has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Men's Slim Travel Pant?
- linen-viscose blend, no water-resistant finish
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Find an alternative on Amazon
- 100% cotton, pleated, no stated treatment
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- Residual azo dyes and synthetic dye intermediates
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 100% cotton twill, no water-resistant treatment
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and residual finishing agents
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore stain-resistant professional workwear 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.