Patagonia · Waterproof Sports Gear
Patagonia Men's Endless Run Shorts
Lower concern. Patagonia discloses PFC-free water-repellent coating; recycled nylon itself is not a PFAS vector.
Patagonia uses PFC-free water repellent on this shorts line and is transparent about PFAS avoidance. Recycled nylon base material poses minimal inherent risk. Buy with moderate confidence.
Brand says: “Patagonia uses PFC-free durable water-repellent finishes and reports no intentional PFAS use in recent lines.”
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Recycled nylon with PFC-free water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Third-party verified PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
Independently verified PFAS-free by a third party.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These shorts are constructed from recycled nylon, a post-consumer or post-industrial recovered fiber that avoids virgin petroleum extraction. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is PFC-free, meaning it does not use PFAS "forever chemicals" (the forever chemicals). Recycled nylon itself does not concentrate or introduce PFAS; the key safety variable is the coating applied to it, which Patagonia has publicly committed to keeping fluorine-free.
The brand's record and disclosure
Patagonia has a documented history of transparency on chemical use and has pursued third-party certifications (such as bluesign and GOTS alignment) across product lines. The company publishes a Chemical Restricted Substances List and has phased out PFC-based water repellents ahead of regulatory deadlines. No significant recalls or undisclosed chemical controversies tied to this product line are on record. Their PFC-free claim is externally verifiable through supply-chain documentation they make available to consumers.
How it compares in its category
Most athletic and outdoor shorts at this price point still use conventional PFC-based water-repellent coating or carry unknown coating chemistry. Patagonia's use of recycled nylon plus verified PFC-free treatment places it above the median for chemical transparency in mid-to-premium activewear. Comparable alternatives (e.g., higher-end brands offering PFC-free options) exist but often lack the same supply-chain disclosure. Lower-cost alternatives typically do not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry and may contain legacy PFAS compounds.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with a mild detergent; avoid fabric softeners, which can degrade the water-repellent coating finish. The PFC-free coating will eventually wear with repeated laundering and sun exposure (typical durability is 50-100 washes before noticeable diminishment). Reapply a PFC-free water-repellent coating spray or wash-in treatment annually if water repellency is important to you. No heat-sensitive concerns; these can be machine dried on medium or low heat without chemical release risk.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Azo dyes (colorfast synthetic dyes)
No public recalls or testing reports document azo dye contamination in Patagonia shorts. The brand aligns with bluesign standards, which restrict certain azo compounds. Not a known issue for this product.
Formaldehyde-based finishing resins
Recycled nylon and PFC-free water-repellent coating coatings do not inherently require formaldehyde for cure or finishing. No disclosure or recall history indicates formaldehyde use in this product line.
Heavy metals in synthetic colorants and pigments
Patagonia's chemical transparency program and third-party certifications typically screen for lead and cadmium in dyes. No incidents or test failures have been publicly disclosed for this product.
Antimony in polyester or nylon fiber
Nylon fibers may contain trace antimony as a catalyst residue from synthesis; levels in finished textiles are generally well below skin-contact safety thresholds. Patagonia does not publicly disclose antimony limits, but no adverse reports exist for their nylon products.
Fragrance or finish volatiles (off-gassing)
PFC-free water-repellent coating finishes do not release PFAS vapors. No odor complaints or volatile organic compound (VOC) concerns are documented for this product upon receipt or after initial wear.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Sports Gear
Patagonia
Men's 10" Quandary Shorts
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Lower concern. Patagonia uses PFC-free water-repellent coating; verify MADE SAFE label on tag.
✓Lab test found no PFAS
More 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.