Kids' L.L.Bean Multisport Joggers
No PFAS disclosure. Joggers likely treated with water-repellent coating, source unknown.
L.L.Bean does not publicly disclose PFAS use or water-repellent coating chemistry for this item. Kids' joggers typically receive water-repellent coating finish, often PFAS-based, but source unconfirmed here.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester/cotton blend with water-repellent coating finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony is a manufacturing catalyst for polyester; residual levels in finished fabrics are low but not always tested. For children's joggers worn directly against skin, cumulative or dermal exposure is not well-studied at typical residue levels.
PFAS
L.L.Bean has not disclosed the chemistry of the water-repellent coating treatment on these joggers. Most mainstream brands still use legacy PFAS (C8 or C6) in water-repellent coatings unless explicitly marketed otherwise; fluorine-free alternatives exist but are less common and not implied here.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes or non-substantive dyes
Polyester/cotton blend fabrics in retail joggers may use conventional dyes; no evidence of restricted azo dyes (which can form carcinogenic amines) has been reported for L.L.Bean, but the brand does not disclose dye chemistry or test results.
Degradation of water-repellent coating over washing
Water-repellent coating finishes on polyester garments degrade with repeated laundering and heating, particularly fluorinated ones. Once compromised, flaking or shedding of coating particles is possible, though health significance of inhaled microparticles remains unclear.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No crease-resistant or anti-wrinkle finish is mentioned for these joggers, and polyester does not require formaldehyde-based sizing. No evidence of this hazard in the product specification.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These joggers are a polyester/cotton blend, meaning they contain synthetic fibers alongside natural fiber. The polyester component carries antimony (used as a catalyst in manufacturing), though residual levels in finished garments are typically very low. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is the primary concern, L.L.Bean has not disclosed whether this uses PFAS or fluorine-free chemistry, which is the critical unknown. Cotton naturally resists some water; added water-repellent coating coatings are meant to enhance performance but often introduce chemical treatments.
The brand's record and disclosure
L.L.Bean has not publicly committed to eliminating PFAS from children's apparel or issued specific transparency statements about water-repellent coating chemistry in joggers. The brand does not appear on major sustainable textile certification lists (OEKO-TEX, bluesign, etc.). No active recalls or safety violations are on record for this specific product line. L.L.Bean's silence on water-repellent coating sourcing means consumers cannot verify whether these joggers contain legacy or newer PFAS alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Children's polyester joggers with water-repellent coating finishes are standard retail fare; L.L.Bean's version is mid-market pricing. Competitors like Patagonia explicitly disclose PFAS-free water-repellent coating (Deluge), while mainstream brands (Gap, Target Cat & Jack) rarely disclose. A pure cotton or organic cotton jogger without water-repellent coating eliminates both PFAS and polyester antimony risks, though water resistance drops. L.L.Bean's lack of third-party certification puts it behind certified sustainable options.
If you buy it
Wash before first wear in cool water to reduce surface chemical residues and loose dyes. Use gentle detergent and avoid fabric softeners, which can build up on synthetic blends. Do not expose to prolonged high heat (tumble dry on low or air dry preferred) because polyester is thermoplastic and water-repellent coating coatings can degrade or off-gas under stress. Replace when elastic degrades or seams fray, typically after 1-2 years of regular wear; do not repurpose as sleepwear due to potential flame-retardant surface treatments that may not be labeled.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- L.L.Bean has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in School Uniforms
Izod
Boys' School Uniform Short Sleeve Polo Shirt
cotton/polyester blend, no stated coating
Azo dyes and color fastness
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Lower concern. Basic cotton-blend polo with no obvious PFAS applications.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Izod
Girls Izod Dresses Nwt Izod Pleated School Uniform Jumper
polyester/cotton blend school uniform jumper
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes and colorant metals
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester fiber
Limited concern
Elastic degradation and contact dermatitis
Limited concern
Lower concern. Standard school uniform, no waterproof coating.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Kohl's
Unionbay Juniors Khaki Uniform Pants
Cotton or cotton-blend twill, untreated
Azo dyes and colorfast residues
Limited concern
Lead
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester (if present)
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during wash and wear
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern. Basic khaki pants with no special water or stain treatment disclosed.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More school uniforms 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.