Index Gear Organizer vs Men's Trailborne 2.5L Shell Jacket: which is safer?

Arc'teryx Index Gear Organizer is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

Arc'teryx Index Gear Organizer

Arc'teryx

Index Gear Organizer

PFAS grade

D 65/100

Overall grade

F 57/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Nylon or polyester fabric organizer

Confidence

68%

PossibleMicroplastics shedding

PossibleWater repellency coating (PFAS treated)

Columbia Men's Trailborne 2.5L Shell Jacket

Columbia

Men's Trailborne 2.5L Shell Jacket

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 12/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Nylon shell with water-repellent coating water-resistant treatment

Confidence

35%

Possiblewater-repellent coating degradation and microparticle shedding

PossibleVolatilization of water-repellent coating chemicals during storage or wear

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More waterproof outdoor accessories: see the full ranking