Easton · Sports Equipment Padding
Easton Sliding Knee Pad
Typical athletic wear; water-repellent coating likely contains PFAS. Verify with brand.
This moisture-wicking fabric with water-resistant coating is typical of sports apparel. Easton discloses no PFAS information, and water-repellent coating treatments often contain fluorinated compounds.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon/spandex blend with moisture-wicking water-repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Easton Sliding Knee Pad is made of, ingredients and materials
Easton Sliding Knee Pad is constructed from a nylon/spandex blend, which provides elasticity and durability for athletic movement. The moisture-wicking water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating is the material of concern, water-repellent coating finishes on athletic apparel typically rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to achieve water resistance, though some brands have begun switching to non-fluorinated alternatives. The nylon base itself is chemically stable and poses no known leaching risk during normal wear.
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
Fluorinated water-repellent finishes on athletic textiles commonly contain PFAS or legacy C8 compounds. Easton's silence on this and lack of third-party certification suggest standard fluorinated chemistry, though the coating transfers minimal dermal exposure during normal wear. Laundry wastewater is the primary environmental release pathway.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon spandex blends sometimes use formaldehyde-based cross-linking resins to stabilize dyes and finishes. Easton does not publish a material safety sheet for this product, so formaldehyde use cannot be ruled out, though off-gassing risk is low with properly cured textile finishes.
Source, ATSDR ↗Spandex degradation under heat and UV
Spandex components degrade faster under direct sunlight and heat (e.g., machine drying), reducing elasticity and potentially shedding fibers. This is a durability issue rather than a toxicity hazard, but contributes to product lifespan.
Allergen potential from dyes or finishes
Individuals with sensitive skin may react to residual dyes, formaldehyde finish, or components of the water-repellent coating. Easton does not provide allergen information; a patch test on the inner thigh is recommended before extended use if you have a history of contact dermatitis.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes
No evidence of restricted azo dyes in Easton athletic knee pads; the brand does not use known carcinogenic azo compounds in major product lines, though formal testing data is not public.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Easton is a major equipment manufacturer in baseball, hockey, and softball but has not published public statements about PFAS use or water-repellent chemistry in their textiles. No third-party certifications (Bluesign, OEKO-TEX, Cradle to Cradle) are documented for this product line. This silence is typical of legacy athletic brands that have not yet committed to PFAS phase-out, making independent verification of coating chemistry impossible without direct contact.
How it compares in its category
Sliding knee pads are nearly universal in requiring water-resistant coatings to perform during play, putting them at higher risk for PFAS than casual wear. Competitors like McDavid and Shock Doctor occupy the same market segment and typically do not disclose PFAS status either. A few emerging athletic brands (e.g.Some brands (like Patagonia, REI Co-op lines) have committed to reducing PFAS in water-repellent coating formulations, but these approaches are not standard in budget athletic protection.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cool water with mild detergent to preserve the water-repellent coating and minimize any potential leaching of coating components. Avoid high heat or machine drying, which can degrade the nylon and accelerate coating breakdown. Replace pads when elasticity fades or seams fray (typically 1-2 seasons of heavy use). If PFAS exposure is a priority concern, contact Easton directly to ask about coating composition before purchase, or choose a brand with documented PFAS-free certification.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Easton Sliding Knee Pad?
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- foam padding, elastic straps
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- Polyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs)
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Neoprene sleeve with nylon/spandex blend support straps
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Neoprene off-gassing (volatile organic compounds)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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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.