Burton Men's Reserve 2L 3-In-1 Pants
Avoid or contact Burton, silent on PFAS in a waterproof jacket where water-repellent coating matters most.
The 3-in-1 design includes a waterproof shell with water-repellent coating, likely containing PFAS, but Burton refuses to disclose its finish chemistry. No independent testing is available.
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Material
Nylon/polyester shell with water-repellent coating water-resistant finish
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.
water-repellent coating chemistry (fluorinated or non-fluorinated unknown)
Burton does not disclose whether this pants' water-repellent coating finish uses legacy PFAS-based repellents or newer non-fluorinated alternatives. Skin contact during wear is minimal, but wash and care handling expose users to residual chemical transfer; unknown composition creates unquantifiable risk.
VOC off-gassing from adhesives and coatings
3-in-1 construction with multiple bonded layers (shell, mid-layer, lining) involves adhesives and lamination that can release volatile organic compounds, especially when new or stored in warm conditions. Airing out before first wear reduces this exposure.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in polyester component
No recalls or specific safety alerts on record for Burton snow pants regarding azo dyes. Polyester in outerwear is routinely tested under EU and US textile safety rules; however, full dye-lot transparency is not published by Burton for this model.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon-polyester textiles may contain formaldehyde-based resins for water resistance and durability; Burton has not disclosed use or absence of formaldehyde finishes in the Reserve line. Standard industrial practices suggest possible low-level exposure, but no specific incidents are documented.
Source: ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester base
Polyester production may use antimony as a catalyst; levels in finished garments are typically below regulatory concern in the US and EU. Burton does not certify antimony-free production for this product, but no health complaints have surfaced.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Burton Reserve 3-in-1 combines a nylon-polyester blend outer shell with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to shed snow and moisture. water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on PFAS-based chemistry, though newer formulations may substitute non-fluorinated alternatives; Burton has not publicly disclosed which approach they use in this model. The nylon-polyester base itself is stable under normal wear and washing, but the water-repellent coating's longevity and chemical composition directly affect both safety and performance over seasons.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burton has not made a public commitment to PFAS-free water-repellent coating finishes across their waterproof outerwear lines, nor have they released ingredient transparency reports for specific products like the Reserve pants. The company has faced industry pressure on sustainability but remains largely silent on chemical disclosure in water-resistant treatments. Without explicit certification (e.g., Bluesign, PFC-free claims) on this SKU, the water-repellent coating chemistry is a black box.
How it compares in its category
Burton is a mainstream snowsports brand; their products typically meet industry durability standards but lag behind smaller, transparency-focused competitors (Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Westbeach) that publicly commit to PFAS-free or disclosed water-resistant chemistries. The Reserve line sits in the mid-to-premium segment where buyers reasonably expect environmental and safety disclosure. Many competitors now offer PFC-free water-repellent coating options; Burton's silence here is notable.
If you buy it
Wash the pants in cool water with mild detergent before first wear to reduce any loose chemical residue from manufacturing. Avoid high-heat drying; air-dry or use low tumble to preserve the water-repellent coating. Expect the water-repellent finish to degrade after 20-30 washes without re-treatment; you can re-apply commercial water-repellent coating wash treatments (confirm they are PFAS-free if that is a priority). Store in a breathable bag to prevent mildew and off-gassing of any trapped VOCs.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Burton has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More snow 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.