Easton · Sports Equipment Padding
Easton Knee Savers
Skip due to coated fabric with no PFAS transparency disclosed.
This water-resistant athletic wear follows typical sports brand construction. Easton provides no public PFAS disclosures, limiting confidence in coating composition.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester/nylon with water-resistant 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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Water-repellent finish on polyester/nylon is undisclosed. Historically, such coatings used PFAS (perfluorocarbons); modern alternatives exist but Easton provides no statement. Risk is moderate given close-to-skin wear and regular laundering.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microfiber shedding
Polyester and nylon textiles shed microfibers during wear and washing. Knee savers experience friction against skin and are laundered frequently, likely increasing shed rates. Microfibers are ingested and inhaled; environmental and health impact remains under study.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes
No specific azo dye safety issues documented for Easton Knee Savers. Standard polyester athletic wear may use azo dyes; Easton does not disclose dye chemistry. Concern is theoretical unless the product is marketed for sensitive skin.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-resistant and wrinkle-resistant finishes sometimes contain formaldehyde-releasing compounds. Easton does not disclose finish chemistry. Off-gassing is typically minimal in athletic wear after initial washing, but undisclosed formulations preclude certainty.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester synthesis; residual antimony can leach from fibers, especially if damp. Knee savers are worn over skin with sweat; antimony leaching risk is low but not zero. No specific recalls or reports for this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Easton Knee Savers are constructed from polyester and nylon with an applied water-resistant coating. The coating is the primary concern, water-repellent finishes on apparel typically rely on durable hydrophobic chemistry, historically PFAS-based (perfluorocarbons) though some newer alternatives exist. Without Easton's disclosure of coating type, you cannot rule out legacy PFAS chemistry. Polyester and nylon themselves are not inherently hazardous but can shed microfibers under friction and washing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Easton is a sporting goods manufacturer (hockey, baseball, lacrosse equipment) with no publicly established PFAS policy or transparency statement regarding coated textiles. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific product line. The silent stance on coating chemistry is the critical gap, responsible brands disclose whether water-resistant treatments contain PFAS or explicitly state PFAS-free alternatives (e.g., wax, silicone, or newer fluorine-free polymers). Absence of disclosure suggests either legacy formulations or indifference to consumer transparency.
How it compares in its category
Water-resistant sports knee pads are common; most do not publicly disclose coating type. Competitors (e.g., McDavid, Mizuno) similarly lack transparency on PFAS status. Some premium outdoor apparel brands (Arc'teryx, Patagonia) have moved to PFAS-free water repellents and advertise this; Easton has not adopted this messaging. Knee savers are worn close to skin and laundered regularly, increasing potential exposure risk compared to rarely-washed outerwear. This product sits in the middle, functional but opaque.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other garments to minimize microfiber transfer. Use cool water and gentle cycles; avoid high heat (tumble dry low or air dry) to preserve the coating and reduce any potential off-gassing of coating additives. Do not bleach or use fabric softeners, which can degrade the water-resistant layer and alter coating chemistry. Replace after 2-3 years or when water repellency visibly diminishes. If possible, contact Easton directly to request disclosure of the water-resistant coating type; consumer pressure occasionally motivates brand transparency.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Easton has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Sports Equipment Padding
Easton
Universal Padding Fit Kit
foam padding, elastic straps
Polyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs)
Limited concern
Adhesive leachables
Limited concern
Elastic synthetic fiber irritation
Limited concern
Foam fragmentation and inhalation
Moderate concern
Low risk product, though brand discloses nothing on PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Easton
Pro Style Shock Absorbing Pad
Foam padding, likely EVA or polyurethane
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in shell fabric
Limited concern
Adhesive volatiles (VOC/off-gassing)
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from foam breakdown
Limited concern
Lower concern; foam padding unlikely PFAS source, but no disclosure confirmed.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
MacGregor
Shock Absorbing Base
foam or elastomer cushioning in shoe base
Foam degradation and off-gassing
Limited concern
Adhesive and binder leachables
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Unknown material composition.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More sports equipment padding 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.