Patagonia Men's Terravia Trail Pants
Likely lower concern, but contact Patagonia directly about water-repellent coating process.
These nylon/polyester pants use water-repellent coating finish standard in trail apparel. Patagonia committed to phasing out PFAS but does not explicitly confirm PFAS-free water-repellent coating on this style.
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 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 (Durable Water-Resistant) coating chemistry
water-repellent coating finishes on synthetic textiles commonly use fluorinated or silicone-based chemistries; Patagonia's undisclosed process means the specific hazard profile cannot be confirmed. Shorter-chain PFAS or fluorine-free alternatives may be used, but this is not stated publicly for this product.
Coating degradation and shedding over time
Any water-repellent coating degrades with wear and washing. As the finish breaks down, the fiber substrate becomes water-absorbent again; no toxic shedding is typical, but replacement or recoating decisions may arise within 2-3 years of moderate use.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Patagonia's standard practice excludes high-formaldehyde resins in apparel. No formaldehyde violations or odor complaints are documented for this product line or brand.
Source: ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Patagonia maintains restricted substance lists that exclude high-risk azo dyes and lead/cadmium pigments. This model's minimal or neutral dyeing further reduces exposure to problematic colorants.
Source: FDA ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony is used as a catalyst in some polyester production; concentrations in finished garments are typically low and not a documented concern for Patagonia textiles. No antimony warnings or recalls exist for this brand or product category.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These pants combine nylon and polyester in a blend that provides durability and water resistance without inherent toxicity in the base fibers themselves. The water-resistant finish (water-repellent coating) is applied to the fabric surface to repel moisture. Patagonia has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry is used in this specific product, though the industry has largely moved away from legacy long-chain PFAS toward shorter-chain alternatives or fluorine-free options in recent years. The undyed or minimally dyed construction reduces exposure to problematic azo dyes used in synthetic textiles.
The brand's record and disclosure
Patagonia has a documented commitment to chemical transparency and has published restricted substance lists, but does not routinely disclose water-repellent coating chemistry by product SKU. The brand has stated a preference for PFAS minimization and has eliminated some legacy chemistries from certain product lines, though specifics for this model are not public. No recalls, formaldehyde violations, or heavy-metal dye contamination have been reported for Patagonia apparel. Contacting the brand directly for water-repellent coating confirmation remains the most reliable verification step.
How it compares in its category
Premium hiking pants typically use nylon or polyester with water-resistant treatments; Patagonia's construction quality and testing standards are generally above mass-market equivalents. Many competitors use the same base-fiber approach but with less transparency on chemical inputs. PFAS-free or fluorine-free water-repellent coating options exist from brands like Patagonia's own Regenerative Organic Certified line, though they may trade off longevity of the water-resistant property. This product sits in the mainstream premium segment where water-repellent coating chemistry remains a trade-off between performance, transparency, and potential exposure.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with mild detergent and air dry to preserve the water-repellent coating finish and avoid accelerating any coating degradation. Do not dry-clean, as solvents can strip or damage water-resistant treatments. Expect the water-repellent coating to diminish over 50-100 washes depending on care; reapplication products exist but may reintroduce similar chemicals. If durability or chemical certainty are priorities, request the product safety data sheet (PSDS) or water-repellent coating chemistry from Patagonia before purchase.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Patagonia has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Hiking Pants
Columbia
Women's All Seasons Pull-On Pants
Nylon/polyester blend knit, no stated water-repellent finish
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastics
Moderate concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Low-medium risk due to basic textile construction without brand transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Columbia
Men's Stealth Spring Chino Pants
cotton-blend chino twill (no water-repellent treatment noted)
Azo dyes (synthetic colorants)
Limited concern
Low-medium risk; basic chino without reported water or stain treatment and no PFAS disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
More 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.