Patagonia · Waterproof Sports Gear
Patagonia Men's Outdoor Everyday Shorts
A water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
Patagonia says 100% of its new products from Spring 2025 are made without intentionally added PFAS. We record that as an unverified brand claim. Its record describes a water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, which is still counted.
Brand says: “Patagonia says 100% of its new products from Spring 2025 are made without intentionally added PFAS.”
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Patagonia Men's Outdoor Everyday Shorts is made of, ingredients and materials
These shorts are constructed from a nylon/polyester blend, a durable synthetic combination common in outdoor wear. The fabric has been treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to shed water and resist stains. The specific chemistry of the water-repellent coating treatment is not disclosed in publicly available product documentation, which is the core safety question for this garment.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Antimony in polyester
Polyester fabric can be synthesized using antimony as a catalyst; the level depends on the supplier and processing. Patagonia does not routinely disclose antimony content in finished garments, though the presence at typical levels in polyester apparel poses minimal dermal risk during normal wear.
Synthetic water-repellent coating leaching or off-gassing
Unknown water-repellent coating chemistry means potential for trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or water-soluble residues, especially during the first few washes. This is a general risk for any treated textile with undisclosed chemistry, not specific to Patagonia.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Nylon and polyester garments shed microfibers into wash water with each laundering; this is an industry-wide issue, not brand-specific. Washing in cold water, using a microfiber filter bag, or air drying reduces shedding frequency.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Patagonia's documentation does not indicate formaldehyde-based resins in their standard finishes, and the brand maintains certifications limiting such use. No recalls or reports of formaldehyde contamination in this product line are on record.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes (synthetic colorants)
Patagonia voluntarily restricts azo dyes that release carcinogenic amines and maintains Bluesign certification across most product lines. No public health warnings regarding dye contamination in these shorts exist.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Patagonia has made public commitments to eliminate PFAS from its product lines and has published environmental responsibility reports. However, independent verification of water-repellent coating chemistry on individual products is not routinely available to consumers. The brand's stated intent does not guarantee confirmation that this specific batch or SKU is PFAS-free, particularly since many suppliers may still use legacy formulations.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof sportswear typically relies on either PFAS-based water-repellent coating (traditional, effective, persistent in the body), fluorine-free alternatives (increasingly common, variable performance), or physical coatings. Patagonia's commitment to phase out PFAS places it above many legacy brands, but transparency lags behind true third-party certification for individual products. Competitors offering explicit fluorine-free or GOTS certifications provide clearer purchase confidence.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with mild detergent and air dry to preserve the water-repellent coating finish; avoid fabric softeners and heat drying, which degrade water repellency. Replace when water no longer beads on the fabric surface, typically after 20-30 washes depending on care. Store in a dry space; nylon can degrade under prolonged UV exposure. Contact Patagonia directly if water-repellent coating chemistry matters to you; their customer service can often specify formulation for your product batch.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Patagonia 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 Patagonia Men's Outdoor Everyday Shorts?
- Woven polyester/nylon blend, no waterproof or stain-resistant treatment specified
- Heavy metals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Polyester mesh and nylon blend, standard athletic construction
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof sports gear 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.