Men's Graphic Short Sleeve Running Top vs Men's Intense Power Sport Tee: which is safer?

Calvin Klein Men's Intense Power Sport Tee is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Brooks Men's Graphic Short Sleeve Running Top

Brooks

Men's Graphic Short Sleeve Running Top

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Poor 43/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

polyester blend athletic shirt, no stated coating

Confidence

72%

PossibleFormaldehyde resins (wrinkle-resist, shrink-control finishes)

PossibleAzo dyes and heavy metal pigments in graphics and dye lots

PossibleAntimony in polyester polymer (catalyst residue)

Our pick

Calvin Klein Men's Intense Power Sport Tee

Calvin Klein

Men's Intense Power Sport Tee

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Good 53/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Cotton-blend knit jersey, uncoated

Confidence

78%

PossibleAzo dyes and synthetic colorants

PossibleHeavy metals in pigments

PossibleFragrance allergens or residual chemical odors

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Formaldehyde resins (wrinkle-resist, shrink-control finishes), Azo dyes and heavy metal pigments in graphics and dye lots, Antimony in polyester polymer (catalyst residue) and Microfiber shedding during laundering on the Brooks and not on the Calvin Klein.
  • We flag Azo dyes and synthetic colorants, Heavy metals in pigments and Fragrance allergens or residual chemical odors on the Calvin Klein and not on the Brooks.
  • The Brooks is polyester blend athletic shirt, no stated coating where the Calvin Klein is Cotton-blend knit jersey, uncoated, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.

Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers 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 sports undergarments, see the full ranking