Carhartt · Waterproof Sports Undergarments
Carhartt Men's Relaxed Fit Midweight Short-Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt
Lower concern, plain cotton tee with no water-repellent coating treatment.
Basic midweight cotton pocket tee without water-repellent or stain-resistant finish. No PFAS coatings are expected, though Carhartt doesn't publicly disclose chemical details.
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Material
100% cotton, no water-repellent finish
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.
Heavy metals
The shirt is dyed (color unspecified in product name), and standard textile dyeing can involve azo dyes or trace heavy metals if not controlled. Carhartt does not publish dye standards, so residual dye exposure during wear and laundering is a low-level but unquantified risk. Pre-wash recommended to reduce loose dye.
Source, FDA ↗BPA & bisphenols
If the shirt includes screen-printed logos, logos ink may contain phthalates or other plasticizers; standard printed care labels pose minimal exposure. Product description does not specify print type, so risk is low but not zero in typical branded workwear.
Source, FDA ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No wrinkle-resist or easy-care finish is listed; plain cotton tees typically do not receive formaldehyde-based resins unless marketed as no-iron or permanent-press, which this product does not claim.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester or synthetic blends
Product is certified 100% cotton; antimony is only a concern in polyester items. This hazard is not applicable.
Flame retardants
Casual apparel is not subject to flame retardant requirements in the US; 100% cotton naturally resists rapid flame spread. No flame retardants are expected in this product unless explicitly added, which is not indicated.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This shirt is 100% cotton with no water-repellent (water-repellent coating) or stain-resistant chemical finish, which eliminates the primary vector for PFAS in textiles. Plain cotton fibers are inherently low-risk for synthetic chemical residues during wear, though the dye and finishing processes used during manufacturing remain the main concern. The relaxed fit and mid-weight construction suggest standard yarn spinning and weaving with no specialized treatments that would introduce additional chemical hazards.
The brand's record and disclosure
Carhartt does not publicly disclose detailed chemical safety testing results or PFAS management policies on retail product pages; the company's stance on restricted substances is largely silent relative to competitors like Patagonia or REI Co-op brands. No major recalls or public health controversies have been documented for Carhartt basic cotton tees. The brand is known for durability-focused manufacturing rather than chemical transparency, so independent safety certifications (OEKO-TEX, GOTS) are not standard on their mainstream lines.
How it compares in its category
A plain cotton tee without finishes sits at the lower end of chemical risk compared to performance or outdoor apparel treated with water-repellent coating, antimicrobial, or moisture-wicking coatings. Carhartt's workwear positioning means this product avoids the trend toward functional finishes in casual retail; it is chemically simpler than most branded tees with added treatments. If chemical minimalism is the priority, GOTS-certified or OEKO-TEX-labeled alternatives offer third-party assurance, though this product's untreated nature presents lower concern than treated competitors.
If you buy it
Wash before first wear to remove residual dyes and finishes from manufacturing. Launder in warm water with standard detergent; no special care is needed beyond standard cotton maintenance. The plain cotton construction means it will soften and may pill slightly with age, but has no chemical coatings to degrade. Avoid chlorine bleach and high heat drying to preserve dye integrity and reduce unnecessary chemical stress.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Carhartt 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.