Brooks · Waterproof Sports Undergarments
Brooks Men's Graphic Short Sleeve Running Top
Lower concern. No water-repellent coating treatment typical for graphic tees.
Polyester blend running top with no stated water-resistant or stain-resistant treatment. No PFAS warning signs for uncoated athletic wear.
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Material
polyester blend athletic shirt, no stated coating
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester athletic apparel sometimes receives formaldehyde-based finishing to control shrinkage or wrinkle recovery. Brooks does not publicly disclose finish chemistry for this graphic tee, so presence cannot be ruled out, though athletic moisture-wicking finishes often use non-formaldehyde alternatives. Initial washing will reduce residual formaldehyde if present.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Graphic printing on polyester typically uses azo-based colorants or disperse dyes that can contain heavy metals. Brooks does not certify to OEKO-TEX or equivalent dye safety standards for this product line. The risk is managed through normal washing but is higher than undyed or naturally dyed alternatives.
Source, FDA ↗Antimony in polyester polymer (catalyst residue)
Polyester is synthesized using antimony trioxide as a catalyst in most mainstream production. Antimony does not typically leach from finished polyester under normal wearing and washing conditions, but may migrate slightly if the fabric is exposed to prolonged high heat or acidic conditions. Standard care (cold wash, low dry heat) minimizes this non-issue further.
Microfiber shedding during laundering
Polyester athletic wear sheds microfibers during washing, contributing to aquatic microplastic pollution. This is not a direct wearer health hazard but is an environmental concern relevant to purchase decisions. Using a microfiber catch bag or filter during washing can reduce this impact.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This shirt is a polyester blend, likely polyester with a small percentage of elastane or spandex for stretch. Polyester is a synthetic polymer that does not off-gas volatile organic compounds to the degree that cotton-polyester blends treated with chemical finishes sometimes do. Athletic-specific polyester is typically chosen for moisture-wicking performance rather than water repellency, so it carries lower risk of intentional PFAS or other problematic water-resistant coatings that would appear in rain jackets or outdoor apparel.
The brand's record and disclosure
Brooks is primarily known as a running shoe manufacturer and does not maintain a high-profile chemical disclosure policy comparable to leading sustainable apparel brands. The company has not issued public statements about PFAS restrictions in apparel, nor has it disclosed supply-chain testing for hazardous dyes or formaldehyde resins to independent parties. No recalls or safety controversies specific to Brooks graphic tees are on record in major consumer safety databases. This silence does not indicate a problem but reflects typical practices among mainstream athletic brands that do not emphasize chemical transparency.
How it compares in its category
Standard polyester athletic tees occupy the middle of the safety spectrum for apparel. They typically present lower formaldehyde and azo-dye risk than heavily dyed cotton garments, but lack the third-party certification (such as OEKO-TEX or GOTS) that premium sustainable brands provide. A graphic tee from Brooks is functionally similar in chemical profile to competitors like Nike, Adidas, or Under Armour performance apparel, none of which routinely publish dye or resin test data. The absence of a water-repellent finish is a meaningful safety advantage over outdoor or technical wear.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water and dry on low heat or air-dry to preserve elastic fibers and minimize any residual finish degradation. Avoid fabric softeners and bleach, which can compromise the polyester polymer. Replace the shirt if seams fray significantly or if elastic loses recovery, as these indicate fiber breakdown. No special precautions are needed beyond standard athletic wear care; this product does not require extended off-gassing time before wearing.
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
- Brooks has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof sports undergarments 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.