Does Carhartt waterproof sports undergarments have PFAS?
We graded 8 Carhartt waterproof sports undergarments products, averaging Poor (43/100). None of them grade Good or better. Against the other 7 waterproof sports undergarments brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 47/100, Carhartt is about typical, scoring above 50% of them.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Carhartt
Men's Force Relaxed Fit Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt
100% cotton jersey knit, untreated
Azo dyes
The shirt is dyed (available in multiple colors including black, gray, brown). Standard…
Microfiber shedding
All cotton textiles shed fibers during laundering, particularly in early washes.…
Basic cotton tee, lower PFAS concern with no waterproofing.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Carhartt
Men's Relaxed Fit Midweight Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt
100% cotton, no water-repellent finish
Heavy metals
The shirt is dyed (color unspecified in product name), and standard textile dyeing can…
BPA & bisphenols
If the shirt includes screen-printed logos, logos ink may contain phthalates or other…
Lower concern, plain cotton tee with no water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Carhartt
Men's Force Color Enhanced Long Sleeve T-Shirt
100% cotton long-sleeve shirt
Azo dyes and dye residuals
Color-enhanced cotton shirts typically use standard reactive dyes that are legally…
Allergen dyes and color fastness
Some individuals report contact dermatitis from azo dye residuals in darker-colored…
Lower concern, bare cotton apparel with no added treatments.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Carhartt
Force Relaxed T-Shirt
100% cotton jersey
Azo dyes and banned colorants
Carhartt does not publish dyestuff specifications. Standard cotton tee dyes are commonly…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Low levels of residual formaldehyde or dye allergens may remain after production rinsing…
Lower concern. Plain cotton jersey with no water-repellent finish on record.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Carhartt
Men's Force Sun Defender Relaxed Fit Lightweight Short-Sleeve Polo
cotton blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Carhartt Force water-repellent coating treatment chemistry is not publicly disclosed.…
Degradation of water-repellent coating over time
water-repellent coating coatings naturally degrade with washing and wear. As coating…
Skip until Carhartt discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carhartt
Men's Force 1/4-Zip Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Cotton blend with moisture-wicking treatment
Antimony in polyester
If the synthetic component uses polyester (common in blends), antimony oxide may be…
VOC and odor off-gassing from synthetic finish
Moisture-wicking and water-repellent coating treatments may release volatile organic…
Likely lower concern, but water-repellent coating finish composition stays unconfirmed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carhartt
Men's Force Logo Sweatshirt
cotton blend with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
Carhartt does not disclose whether this sweatshirt uses traditional PFAS-based…
Fabric degradation and microplastic shedding
Any polyester-blend textile sheds microfibers during washing; this sweatshirt will…
Cotton blend with unspecified water-repellent coating treatment presents unclear PFAS concern.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Carhartt
Force Sub-Scrubs Performance Long Sleeve Tee
polyester/cotton blend with performance water-repellent coating finish
Antimony in polyester
Polyester fabric may contain antimony trioxide as a catalyst residue from polymerization.…
Microfiber shedding from synthetic content
Polyester-heavy blends shed microfibers during washing; this is a documented…
water-repellent coating degradation and durability uncertainty
Without Carhartt's explicit statement on water-repellent coating chemistry (PFAS-based…
Performance apparel with water-repellent coating, PFAS status unclear from brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Better waterproof sports undergarments from other brands
Graded higher than the Carhartt average of 43.
Reebok
Men's Speedwick Textured Active Tee
polyester/nylon blend, no water-repellent coating treatment disclosed
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
High concern
PFAS
Limited concern
Lower concern, standard active tee without water-resistant finish.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Reebok
Men's Tech Training Short Sleeve T-Shirt
polyester/cotton blend, standard knit
Azo dyes and residual dye chemicals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during washing
Moderate concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Lower concern, standard training tee with no water or stain treatment indicated.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Reebok
Men's Tech Top Sleeveless
polyester blend athletic knit
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes and dye allergens
Limited concern
Antimony (polyester catalyst residue)
Limited concern
Spandex degradation and microfiber shedding
Moderate concern
Lower concern, basic athletic shirt unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
See every Carhartt product we grade on the Carhartt brand page, or the full waterproof sports undergarments ranking.