Waterproof Sports Gear, 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 waterproof sports gear, ranked safest first
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Reebok
Men's Athlete Speed Shorts
Polyester mesh and nylon blend, standard athletic construction
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
Moderate concern
Lower concern. Standard athletic shorts without water-resistant coating.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's Home Waters Hybrid Shorts
Polyester blend with PFAS-free water-repellent coating finish
Antimony in polyester fiber
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from polyester
Limited concern
Lower concern. Patagonia phased out PFAS-based water-repellent coating; verify current batch.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Adidas
Men's Workout Essentials Base Woven Shorts
Woven polyester/nylon blend, no waterproof or stain-resistant treatment specified
Azo dyes in synthetic textiles
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester fiber
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during washing
Limited concern
Lower concern; basic woven shorts without water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's Outdoor Everyday Shorts
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Moderate concern
Lower concern. Patagonia uses PFC-free water-repellent coating; verify current batch details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Men's Trailfarer Shorts
nylon and polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Polyester microfiber shedding during laundering
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication products
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; Patagonia uses safer water-repellent coating alternatives.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Quiksilver
Men's Union Heather Amphibian Hybrid Shorts
Polyester blend with water-resistant treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding from polyester blend
Limited concern
Hybrid shorts likely water-treated; PFAS risk unconfirmed by brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Quiksilver
Men's Waterman Strands Regular-Fit Shorts
Polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Wait for brand to disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or switch to PFAS-free.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Quiksilver
Men's Taxer Amphibian Hybrid Shorts
polyester/nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and residue
High concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Hybrid shorts likely have water-repellent coating; Quiksilver does not disclose PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Quiksilver
Men's Transit 19 Hybrid Shorts
polyester blend with water-repellent treatment
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and particle release
High concern
Hybrid shorts likely use water-repellent coating; Quiksilver discloses nothing about PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Quiksilver
Men's Legion Cargo 20" Amphibian Hybrid Shorts
Polyester blend with water-repellent coating water repellent treatment
Antimony in polyester fiber
Limited concern
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from polyester blend
Limited concern
Wait for Quiksilver to disclose water-repellent coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Quiksilver
Men's Union Print Amphibian 20" Hybrid Shorts
polyester blend with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
High concern
Azo dyes in polyester base or print
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester fiber
Limited concern
Elastane degradation and microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Hybrid shorts likely water-treated; PFAS details unavailable from brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Quiksilver
Men's Union Heather Amphibian 20" Boardshorts
polyester blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
Antimony catalyst residue in polyester
Limited concern
water-repellent coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Moderate concern
Standard boardshorts with likely water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Under Armour
Men's Shorebreak 2 in 1 Amphib Shorts
Polyester blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
PFAS
High concern
Microplastic shedding with wear and wash
Limited concern
water-repellent coating treatment likely contains PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Reebok
Women's Lux Metallic 2-In-1 Running Shorts
Polyester blend with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
water-repellent coating athletic shorts; PFAS risk unclear, brand silent on composition.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Adidas
Skateboarding Water Shorts
polyester with water-repellent finish
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in synthetic fabrics
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding from coating degradation
Limited concern
Water-resistant apparel carries water-repellent coating risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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