Sports Equipment Padding, ranked by PFAS grade
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, best-graded first. None grade Good or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.
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The best non-toxic sports equipment padding, ranked by grade
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Easton
Universal Padding Fit Kit
foam padding, elastic straps
Polyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs)
Limited concern
Adhesive leachables
Limited concern
Elastic synthetic fiber irritation
Limited concern
Foam fragmentation and inhalation
Moderate concern
Low risk product, though brand discloses nothing on PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Easton
Pro Style Shock Absorbing Pad
Foam padding, likely EVA or polyurethane
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in shell fabric
Limited concern
Adhesive volatiles (VOC/off-gassing)
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from foam breakdown
Limited concern
Lower concern; foam padding unlikely PFAS source, but no disclosure confirmed.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
MacGregor
Shock Absorbing Base
foam or elastomer cushioning in shoe base
Foam degradation and off-gassing
Limited concern
Adhesive and binder leachables
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Unknown material composition.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
MacGregor
Umpire's Inside Chest Protector
foam padding, cotton/poly blend outer shell
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Foam degradation and particle shedding
Moderate concern
Azo dyes in outer shell coloring
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester component
Limited concern
Lower concern. Materials not linked to PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
La Pointique
Four-Way Stretch Knee Sleeve Support Brace
Neoprene sleeve with nylon/spandex blend support straps
Neoprene off-gassing (volatile organic compounds)
Limited concern
Spandex/polyurethane degradation under heat
Limited concern
Lower concern. Standard sports brace materials rarely PFAS-treated.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Easton
Power Pad
nylon/polyester blend with moisture-wicking treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding during washing
Limited concern
Unknown waterproofing treatment; brand silent on PFAS details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Easton
Knee Savers
Polyester/nylon with water-resistant coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding
Moderate concern
Skip due to coated fabric with no PFAS transparency disclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Easton
Stealth RS II Hockey Shoulder Pads
Foam, mesh, nylon with moisture-resistant/waterproof coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Limited concern
Unknown moisture treatment; no PFAS disclosure from Easton.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Easton
Sliding Knee Pad
nylon/spandex blend with moisture-wicking water-repellent coating
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Spandex degradation under heat and UV
Moderate concern
Allergen potential from dyes or finishes
Limited concern
Typical athletic wear; water-repellent coating likely contains PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Easton
Adult Original Catcher's Knee Savers
Neoprene or foam padding with likely water-resistant coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Catcher's gear likely treated for water resistance; PFAS risk uncertain.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MacGregor
Adult Padded Shin Guard
Foam padding, EVA/synthetic shell, likely water-repellent coating-treated outer layer
water-repellent coating treatment (fluorinated or non-fluorinated, unspecified)
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
EVA foam degradation and microparticle release
Limited concern
Unknown PFAS risk; no brand disclosure on treatments.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MacGregor
Golf Deluxe Padded Travel Cover with Wheels
padded fabric with waterproof coating, wheels
Waterproof coating composition (likely fluorinated)
High concern
Off-gassing from adhesives and coating
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding from padding
Limited concern
Golf bag cover with unspecified waterproof treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MacGregor
Varsity Chest Protector
Padded synthetic fabric with water-resistant finish
Water-resistant finish composition (unknown water-repellent coating chemistry)
Limited concern
Bacterial and mold growth in padding
Limited concern
Polyurethane or foam degradation over time
Limited concern
Skip due to unknown water-repellent coating treatment, no PFAS transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MacGregor
MCB67 Umpire's Leg Guards
Padded nylon/polyester with moisture-resistant treatment
Moisture-resistant coating degradation and inhalation
High concern
Irritation from undisclosed additives in padding
Limited concern
Likely water-repellent coating-treated.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
MacGregor
B61 Double Knee Varsity Leg Guard
nylon/polyester blend with water-resistant treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during washing
Limited concern
Skip due to likely water-repellent coating treatment and no PFAS disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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