Adidas · Waterproof Sports Gear
adidas Skateboarding Water Shorts
Water-resistant apparel carries water-repellent coating risk. Adidas offers no PFAS transparency.
Skateboarding shorts use water-resistant treatment, likely water-repellent coating-coated polyester. Adidas makes no public PFAS commitments or statements for this item.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester with water-repellent finish
Lab data
No public lab test
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What adidas Skateboarding Water Shorts is made of, ingredients and materials
These shorts are polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the fabric surface. Polyester itself is a synthetic polymer that does not leach chemical additives during normal wear, but the water-repellent coating, a water-resistant layer bonded to fibers, is where chemical hazard concentrates. water-repellent coating finishes on affordable athletic wear often use fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or, less commonly, silicone-based alternatives, neither of which Adidas discloses for this product. The finishing process also typically involves formaldehyde-based resins to cure and set the coating on the yarn.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-repellent coating curing processes on polyester skatewear commonly use formaldehyde-releasing resins. Off-gassing is highest in the first 1-2 weeks post-manufacture and declines with wear and washing. No specific test results for Adidas skateboarding shorts are on record, but formaldehyde in textile finishing is industry-standard.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in synthetic fabrics
Polyester skatewear is often dyed with azo dyes, which can release carcinogenic amines under acidic or reducing conditions (e.g., perspiration, storage in humid/warm environments). Adidas does not disclose dye chemistry for this product. Risk is low during normal wear but higher if shorts are stored damp or in heat.
Microfiber shedding from coating degradation
Water-repellent coatings on polyester can flake or peel with abrasion and washing, releasing microfiber fragments. Once the water-repellent coating finish begins visibly degrading, shedding increases. This is a durability issue common to all water-repellent coating apparel, not specific to Adidas.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester
Antimony is occasionally used as a catalyst in polyester manufacturing but is rarely released during normal use. No specific testing or recalls for antimony in Adidas skateboarding shorts have been reported. Standard polyester processing poses minimal antimony exposure risk.
Flame retardants
Skateboarding shorts are not typically treated with flame-retardant chemicals, as they are not regulated apparel (children's sleepwear rules do not apply). No flame retardant content has been reported for Adidas skateboarding shorts.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Adidas has not published a PFAS elimination commitment or transparency report specific to skateboarding or water-resistant apparel lines as of widely available public records. The brand does participate in some sustainability reporting and has moved toward reducing PFAS in premium lines, but this information is not routinely applied to budget skateboarding products. No recalls or formal safety warnings have been issued for Adidas skateboarding shorts, and the brand does not highlight formaldehyde-resin content in consumer communications. This silence makes it difficult for buyers to distinguish whether Adidas has chosen PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives for this style.
How it compares in its category
Water-resistant apparel in the skateboarding category typically relies on water-repellent coating finishes; few affordable competitors (Vans, Element, Volcom) disclose their chemistry either. Higher-end or eco-conscious brands (Patagonia, 686) increasingly publish PFAS-free claims and use fluorine-free or bio-based water-repellent coating. Adidas skateboarding shorts sit in the middle-market tier where water-repellent coating is standard but transparency is not. For the price point, the hazard profile is typical rather than elevated or exceptional.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cool water before first wear to reduce residual formaldehyde and loose dyes. Do not machine dry on heat; air dry only, as high heat can accelerate formaldehyde off-gassing from the coating. Avoid prolonged contact with skin immediately after manufacturing (off-gassing is highest in first weeks). Replace the shorts if the water-repellent coating visibly degrades or peels, as this signals potential microfiber and coating-fragment shedding. Washing in cooler water and less frequently extends water-repellent coating life and reduces leaching risk.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Adidas has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to adidas Skateboarding Water Shorts?
- Woven polyester/nylon blend, no waterproof or stain-resistant treatment specified
- Heavy metals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Polyester mesh and nylon blend, standard athletic construction
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Polyester blend with PFAS-free water-repellent coating finish
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance or dye allergen sensitivity
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof sports gear grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.