All 15 synthetic athletic wear we scored fail our PFAS screen
We scored 15 synthetic athletic wear for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them safest first. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.
100% of the 15 synthetic athletic wear we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
The safest PFAS-free synthetic athletic wear we have scored
Nothing in this category clears our buy threshold yet. That is the finding, not a gap.
The synthetic athletic wear we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.
Arc'teryx
Delta Hoody Men's
polyester fleece with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding and leaching
Moderate concern
Silent on PFAS, water-repellent coating treatment is typical vector for forever chemicals.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Arc teryx Skyline Shirt Men's
polyester/nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
PFAS
Limited concern
water-repellent coating durability and degradation
Moderate concern
High risk due to likely fluorochemical water-repellent coating finish without brand transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Men's Konseal SL Pullover Hoody
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Limited concern
Microplastics
Moderate concern
water-repellent coating-treated technical hoody, waterproofing chemistry undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
What we check on synthetic athletic wear
- Confirmed PFAS, PTFE or fluoropolymer content, which is the heaviest penalty we apply.
- Stain, water or grease resistant treatments, which usually mean fluorinated chemistry.
- Whether the brand discloses what is in the product, or stays silent behind a “clean” claim.
- Independent lab results and certifications where they exist.
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The synthetic athletic wear brands that will not say
2 of the brands here publish nothing about PFAS at all. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is why none of them score well on disclosure.
Arc'teryx, HOKA.
Common questions about PFAS-free synthetic athletic wear
Is synthetic athletic wear PFAS free?
Mostly not. Of the 15 synthetic athletic wear we have scored, 100% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 0 that pass. The lowest is Arc'teryx Arc'teryx Delta Hoody Men's at 20.
Which synthetic athletic wear should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Arc'teryx Arc'teryx Delta Hoody Men's at 20, Arc'teryx Arc teryx Skyline Shirt Men's at 20, Arc'teryx Arc'teryx Men's Konseal SL Pullover Hoody at 20. The problem with the first is that silent on PFAS—DWR treatment is typical vector for forever chemicals.
Which synthetic athletic wear brands will not say whether they use PFAS?
2 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including Arc'teryx, HOKA. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test synthetic athletic wear?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
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Does a particular brand of synthetic athletic wear have PFAS?
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 15 synthetic athletic wear.