Synthetic Athletic Wear, 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 synthetic athletic wear, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Arc'teryx
Men's Cormac Logo Shirt
100% polyester knit, no water-repellent treatment
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
Moderate concern
Lower concern, basic polyester shirt with no water-repellent coating finish.
⚠Risky category by default
HOKA
Men's Race Day Singlet
polyester mesh and fabric
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding on wear and wash
Moderate concern
Antimony in polyester polymer
Limited concern
Lower concern, no waterproofing or water-repellent coating treatment typical for race singlets.
⚠Risky category by default
HOKA
Men's Race Day Singlet Crew Neck Running Tank top
Polyester/nylon blend athletic knit, no disclosed water-repellent coating or stain treatment
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Minimal concern; no performance coatings on this running tank.
⚠Risky category by default
HOKA
Men's EveryRun Short Sleeve
polyester/nylon blend, no specified water repellent finish
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding
Moderate concern
Minimal concern; no water-repellent coating finish on basic running shirt.
⚠Risky category by default
HOKA
Men's Race Day Short Sleeve T-shirt
polyester blend knit
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding into waterways
Limited concern
Allergic contact or skin irritation from dyes or finishes
Limited concern
Minimal concern; base fabric unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Arc'teryx
Delta Hoody Men's
polyester fleece with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding and leaching
Moderate concern
Silent on PFAS, water-repellent coating treatment is typical vector for forever chemicals.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Arc teryx Skyline Shirt Men's
polyester/nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
PFAS
Limited concern
water-repellent coating durability and degradation
Moderate concern
High risk due to likely fluorochemical water-repellent coating finish without brand transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Men's Konseal SL Pullover Hoody
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Limited concern
Microplastics
Moderate concern
water-repellent coating-treated technical hoody, waterproofing chemistry undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Men's Gamma SL Pants
Nylon blend with water-repellent coating finish
water-repellent coating leaching during use and laundering
Limited concern
Arc'teryx does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry; moderate caution warranted.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Men's Atom SL Lightweight Hoodie
Polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
water-repellent coating chemistry (fluorine-based or unknown)
Limited concern
Degradation of water-repellent coating finish releasing particles or residual chemicals
Limited concern
Unknown water-repellent coating treatment, Arc'teryx silent on PFAS, skip if concerned.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Men's Kyanite Lightweight Fleece Hoodie
Polyester fleece with water-repellent coating finish
Microfiber shedding (polyester fleece)
High concern
water-repellent coating durability and composition uncertainty
Limited concern
Fleece likely has water-repellent coating, Arc'teryx silent on PFAS status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Arc'teryx
Men's Gamma MX Breathable Softshell Hoody
Nylon/polyester softshell with water-repellent coating treatment
Azo dyes and restricted colorants
Limited concern
water-repellent coating treatment leaching and microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Mid-risk, water-repellent coating treatment chemistry unknown; Arc'teryx silent on PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
HOKA
Men's GlideTech Short Sleeve Shirt
Polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Antimony catalyst residue in polyester
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding during laundering
Moderate concern
Coating degradation and leaching after repeated washing
Limited concern
water-repellent coating-treated athletic wear, PFAS risk unconfirmed but likely present.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
HOKA
Run Hat
nylon mesh with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
water-repellent coating fluorochemical leaching during washing and wear
Moderate concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Wait for Hoka to disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or provide third-party testing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
HOKA
Men's Novafly Run Tights
Nylon blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Likely water-repellent coating-treated; Hoka does not disclose PFAS policies.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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