Sports Performance Undergarments, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. None grade Good or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.
Start here
The best non-toxic sports performance undergarments, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Feetures
High Performance Cushion No Show Tab
Acrylic blend sock with no disclosed treatments
Lower concern; no water-repellent coating treatment disclosed for socks.
⚠Risky category by default
Feetures
Elite Light Cushion Tab Limited Edition Performance Socks
Merino wool blend, nylon, elastane
Lower concern. Merino wool socks unlikely to contain PFAS, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Feetures
High Performance Max Cushion Tab Socks
Merino wool blend, synthetic fibers
Lower concern socks; no PFAS-prone features identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Smartwool
Men's Run Targeted Cushion Mid Crew Socks
Merino wool blend with synthetic nylon reinforcement
Lower concern. Natural fiber socks unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Smartwool
Run Pattern Crew Socks 3-Pack
Merino wool blend, no water repellent finish
Lower concern. Merino wool socks with no waterproof coating.
⚠Risky category by default
Smartwool
Women's Run Targeted Cushion Low Ankle Socks
Merino wool blend, no specified water-repellent coating treatment
Lower concern. Merino wool socks without disclosed water repellent treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Smartwool
Unisex Run Zero Cushion Crew Socks
Merino wool blend, no stated water-repellent treatment
Lower concern. Merino wool socks lack typical water-repellent coating coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Smartwool
Men's Run Zero Cushion No Show Socks
Merino wool blend, no reported water-resistant treatment
Lower concern. Merino wool socks unlikely to contain intentional PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Puma
Men's 6 Pack 1/2 Terry Socks
Cotton blend terry cloth
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Lower concern. Basic socks with no known PFAS-prone treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
Puma
Men's DryCell Crew Socks (8 Pair)
Cotton/polyester blend, DryCell moisture-wicking treatment
Azo dyes and colorfast stability
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Dye migration and skin irritation
Limited concern
Lower concern socks. No known PFAS risk in standard construction.
⚠Risky category by default
Puma
Women's Quarter Crew Socks (6 Pairs)
Cotton/polyester blend socks, no waterproofing
Azo dyes
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
Moderate concern
Lower PFAS concern; basic untreated socks without water resistance.
⚠Risky category by default
Puma
Men's Dry Cell Moisture Wicking Socks
polyester and elastane blend, moisture-wicking synthetic fibers
Azo dyes in polyester
Limited concern
Elastane (spandex) degradation under heat or UV
Limited concern
PFAS
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, but brand silent on water-repellent coating treatment used.
⚠Risky category by default
Puma
Men's Half-Terry Crew Socks (3 Pairs)
Cotton/polyester blend, half-terry construction
Azo dyes and residual colorants
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Elastic degradation and skin contact
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Lower concern. Basic socks unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Feetures
High Performance Ultra Light No-Show Tab
Nylon blend with moisture-wicking treatment
Moisture-wicking socks likely treated; brand silent on PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Smartwool
Men's Run Cold Weather Targeted Cushion Crew Socks
Merino wool with water-repellent coating finish
Merino wool is PFAS-risk material; water-repellent coating finish raises concern.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Get the safe list, free
The products we score each week, and the safest alternative in every category.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.