Women's Dash Lite Bra vs Men's Force Relaxed Fit Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt: which is safer?

Carhartt Men's Force Relaxed Fit Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Brooks Women's Dash Lite Bra

Brooks

Women's Dash Lite Bra

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Poor 47/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Nylon, spandex blend

Confidence

72%

PossibleAzo dyes

ReportedMicroplastics from fiber shedding

PossibleContact dermatitis or sensitization from dyes or residual finishes

Our pick

Carhartt Men's Force Relaxed Fit Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt

Carhartt

Men's Force Relaxed Fit Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Good 57/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

100% cotton jersey knit, untreated

Confidence

78%

PossibleAzo dyes

PossibleMicrofiber shedding

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Microplastics from fiber shedding and Contact dermatitis or sensitization from dyes or residual finishes on the Brooks and not on the Carhartt.
  • We flag Microfiber shedding on the Carhartt and not on the Brooks.
  • Both carry a flag for Azo dyes, so neither choice avoids it.
  • The Brooks is Nylon, spandex blend where the Carhartt is 100% cotton jersey knit, untreated, 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: 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