Columbia Women's Storm Surge II Rain Pants
Higher PFAS risk because of waterproofing; Columbia doesn't reveal water-repellent coating chemistry.
Rain pants require water-repellent coating, historically based on PFAS like C8, but Columbia doesn't publicly disclose what finish this model uses. No lab testing or certification confirms safety.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic outer shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Columbia Women's Storm Surge II Rain Pants is made of, ingredients and materials
The Storm Surge II uses a synthetic outer shell (polyester or nylon blend) treated with a water-repellent coating finish to repel water. water-repellent coating finishes are typically applied as fluorinated or non-fluorinated coatings; Columbia does not disclose which chemistry is used in this product. The outer material itself is not a membrane like Gore-Tex, so water resistance relies entirely on the water-repellent coating treatment. Over time and with washing, water-repellent coating coatings degrade and may require re-treatment, which could introduce additional chemical exposure if the replacement product contains PFAS.
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.
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry, undisclosed
Columbia does not publicly state whether the water-repellent coating finish contains PFAS-based compounds (such as PFOA or PFOS) or non-PFAS alternatives. Fluorinated water-repellent coating is common in this product category and may persist in the environment and bioaccumulate.
Coating degradation and re-treatment exposure
As the water-repellent coating finish wears with washing and use, consumers may purchase and apply over-the-counter water-repellent coating sprays for re-treatment. Many commercial products still contain PFAS, creating a repeated exposure pathway if not carefully selected.
Microplastics
Synthetic polyester or nylon outer shells shed microfibers during washing. The extent depends on fabric construction and finish; water-repellent coating-treated fabrics may shed differently than untreated synthetics, but no specific data for this product exists.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No specific formaldehyde resin contamination has been reported for this model. Polyester and nylon blends used in outdoor apparel may carry trace formaldehyde from manufacturing, but levels in finished garments are typically below regulatory concern if the item has been washed before wear.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
No product-specific recalls or warnings exist for this pants line related to azo dye toxicity or heavy metal pigment contamination. Standard quality control in major apparel brands typically screens for banned azo dyes.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Columbia has not publicly committed to phasing out PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes or disclosed the specific chemistry of waterproofing treatments in products like these pants. The brand is not known for transparency on this issue compared to competitors like Patagonia or The North Face, which have made public PFAS reduction commitments. No specific product recalls or safety controversies tied to this model are on record. This silence means consumers cannot verify whether the water-repellent coating contains legacy PFAS compounds (PFOA, PFOS) or newer alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Rain and snow pants in this price and performance tier commonly use water-repellent coating finishes; fluorinated PFAS-based treatments are still industry standard despite growing awareness. Brands offering PFAS-free or PFAS-disclosed waterproof pants exist (e.g., Patagonia, Outdoor Research) but are fewer and often cost more. Columbia's Storm Surge line is mid-market and competes on durability and water shedding, not chemical transparency, so PFAS risk is typical for this category tier rather than unusually high or low.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other clothing to minimize exposure to water-repellent coating shedding; follow care label instructions and avoid hot water, which can degrade the coating faster. Do not dry-clean, as solvents may damage the water-repellent coating finish. Plan to re-treat the pants with a commercial water-repellent coating spray every 1-2 years of regular use; research the re-treatment product's PFAS status before applying. Store in a cool, dry place to extend the life of the original finish and reduce the need for frequent re-application.
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 Women's Storm Surge II Rain Pants?
- nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- water-repellent coating chemistry (unspecified)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Nylon blend with water-repellent coating treatment (likely fluorocarbon-based)
- 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 Amazon
- Polyester shell with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish; insulated lining
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment composition
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore 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.