Columbia Men's Pitchstone Outdoor Pants
water-repellent coating-treated nylon pants with no disclosed chemistry or PFAS statement from brand.
These nylon pants have a water-repellent coating finish. water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS. Columbia has no PFAS statement on record for this product.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Columbia Men's Pitchstone Outdoor Pants is made of, ingredients and materials
The Pitchstone pants are nylon with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Nylon itself is stable and does not leach monomers or BPA under normal wear. The water-repellent coating is the material of concern, most outdoor apparel brands apply fluorochemical water-repellent coating (PFAS-based) or, increasingly, fluorine-free alternatives. Columbia has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they use in this product line, leaving the PFAS status uncertain.
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 finishes on outdoor apparel are historically PFAS-based; Columbia does not disclose chemistry. Exposure risk is inhalation during manufacturing and handling, and potential skin contact during wear. Fluorine-free alternatives exist but are not confirmed in this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some water-repellent coating and wrinkle-resistant finishes use formaldehyde-based chemistry. Columbia does not disclose finish type. Standard outdoor apparel formulations minimize formaldehyde, but absence of disclosure prevents confirmation.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding
Nylon apparel sheds microfibers during wash and wear. The Pitchstone pants will release synthetic fibers into waterways; this is a known property of nylon textiles, not unique to this brand or product.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes
No public reports of restricted azo dyes (anilines) in Columbia nylon apparel. Industry standard testing and EU/US regulations make this unlikely, but not explicitly certified for this SKU.
Antimony in synthetic fibers
Antimony is a polyester catalyst and is not used in nylon fiber production. Not applicable to this product.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Columbia Sportswear has faced pressure on PFAS use in outdoor gear but has not published a comprehensive chemical inventory or phase-out timeline comparable to brands like Patagonia or Arc'teryx. The company does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry on product labels or websites. This silence is typical of mid-market outdoor brands and reflects industry-wide opacity on fluorochemical use rather than Columbia-specific malfeasance, but it means buyers cannot verify whether this product contains PFAS.
How it compares in its category
Entry-level hiking pants from major brands (Columbia, The North Face, REI Co-op) generally do not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Premium alternatives like Patagonia and Arc'teryx publish fluorine-free commitments and are phasing out PFAS. Columbia's Pitchstone occupies the middle ground, competitively priced, widely available, but offering no transparency advantage over direct competitors. If PFAS avoidance is a priority, fluorine-free certified brands are a clearer choice.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other fabrics on cold water to minimize any potential leaching and protect the water-repellent coating finish. Avoid dry cleaning, which can degrade coatings and expose you to solvents. Do not tumble dry on high heat; hang dry instead. Re-treat with a water-repellent coating spray (read the product label for chemistry) every 1-2 seasons if water beading decreases. Discard if seams fail or coating flakes visibly, as breakdown can increase skin contact with finish materials.
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
- Columbia 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 Columbia Men's Pitchstone Outdoor Pants?
- cotton-blend chino twill (no water-repellent treatment noted)
- Azo dyes (synthetic colorants)
- Nylon/polyester blend knit, no stated water-repellent finish
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- water-repellent coating finish chemistry (unverified)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore hiking 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.