Berkley · Fishing Tackle & Gear
Berkley Trilene XL
Fishing line; inherent material lower concern but no brand disclosure.
Berkley Trilene XL is monofilament nylon fishing line. Nylon itself isn't inherently PFAS-dependent, though the manufacturer provides no public PFAS information or certifications.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Monofilament nylon fishing line
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
Microplastic shedding on degradation
Nylon monofilament breaks down into microparticles over years of UV exposure and mechanical stress in the field. Environmental persistence is a category-level concern, though direct consumer inhalation or ingestion risk from fishing line use itself is low.
Skin irritation or abrasion
Tight contact with monofilament during casting or manual line handling can cause minor cuts or irritation to fingers and palms. This is a use-related hazard, not a chemical one, and is managed by wearing gloves and taking breaks.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Undisclosed additives or UV stabilizers
No public information exists on whether Berkley Trilene XL contains lead, cadmium, or antimony as colorant or stabilizer additives. Nylon monofilament does not require these but some manufacturers use them; lack of disclosure prevents confirmation.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Berkley Trilene XL is extruded nylon monofilament, a single continuous polymer strand without additives typical of multi-strand or braided lines. Nylon monofilament does not leach into water under normal fishing use because it sits inert in aquatic environments and is not ingested as food contact material. The line's durability comes from nylon's UV and abrasion resistance; degradation produces microplastics, but this occurs over years of sun exposure and breakage in the field, not during handling.
The brand's record and disclosure
Bass Pro Shops and Berkley (owned by Pure Fishing, part of Rapala VMC) have not published specific chemical composition or PFAS testing data for Trilene XL. Neither brand maintains public certifications for fishing line safety standards. No established recalls or health controversies are on record for this product line. Silence on PFAS and additives is typical of the fishing tackle industry, which lacks mandatory disclosure requirements.
How it compares in its category
Monofilament lines dominate recreational fishing because they are inexpensive and widely compatible with standard reels. Trilene XL is a mid-market option with reputation for consistent strength and manageable memory; it performs similarly to other commodity monofilament (Stren, Suffix, Maxima) in handling and durability. Braided or fluorocarbon alternatives carry their own trade-offs, braided lines shed microfibers more readily during casting; fluorocarbon is denser and less studied for environmental persistence.
If you buy it
Store spools indoors away from direct sunlight to slow UV degradation and preserve line strength. Replace line every one to two seasons if used frequently, or after visible cloudiness or brittleness appears. Do not incinerate or flush old line; dispose in solid waste or take to a fishing tackle recycler if available. Wash hands after extended handling to avoid minor skin irritation from nylon particles.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Berkley has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More fishing tackle & 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.