Misfit · Waterproof Fitness Trackers & Cases
Misfit Flare Fitness + Sleep Tracker
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes plastic casing, likely polymer, with no water-repellent coating named. Water resistance on products like this usually comes from the material and its seals rather than a surface treatment. The brand has published no PFAS statement for it.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Plastic casing, likely polymer
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.
Bacterial growth in band/crevices if unmaintained
Fitness trackers worn continuously in warm, moist skin contact can harbor pathogenic bacteria if sweat and moisture are not regularly cleaned. This is a use-hygiene issue, not a material toxicity issue, but common to all wearables.
Polymer degradation over extended use
After 2-3 years of daily wear, UV exposure, and repeated thermal stress from charging, the plastic casing may develop micro-cracks that could expose internal components or reduce water resistance. No accelerated aging data is publicly available for this specific model.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No testing or recall records indicate nickel leaching from the Flare's skin-contact sensors. Fitness trackers typically use stainless steel or nickel-plated contacts, but sealed design and brief contact duration minimize risk compared to medical devices or jewelry.
Source, FDA ↗Microplastic shedding from plastic casing
Modern engineering polymers used in wearables are not formulated to shed microparticles under normal wear conditions. This would only become a concern if the casing were abraded, chewed, or mechanically damaged and ingested.
Battery leakage or thermal runaway
No documented safety incidents with the Misfit Flare battery. Fitness trackers are subject to consumer electronics safety standards (UL/FCC), though individual brand testing transparency varies. Lithium batteries pose a low but non-zero risk if device is crushed or exposed to extreme heat.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Misfit Flare uses a polymer plastic casing typical of wearable electronics, with no special surface coating or enamel layer described in available product documentation. Modern fitness tracker plastics are generally engineered to resist moisture ingress and daily wear without degrading or leaching chemicals into skin contact areas. The sealed design (waterproof housing) means the plastic does not come into contact with food, beverages, or prolonged heat exposure that would accelerate any potential leaching of additives like plasticizers or colorants.
The brand's record and disclosure
Misfit (owned by Fossil Group) does not publish detailed material safety statements or PFAS-specific commitments for this device, which is typical of the consumer wearables industry. No recalls, safety warnings, or chemical testing results for this specific tracker are on public record. The brand's silence on chemical safety disclosure is neither a red flag nor reassurance, simply standard practice in a category where regulatory transparency lags behind cosmetics or food packaging.
How it compares in its category
Plastic-cased fitness trackers have lower concern for contact dermatitis risk compared to wearables with metal alloys (nickel, cadmium) and leather dyes that can cause contact dermatitis. Most competitors in this price and feature range use similar unremarkable polymers with equivalent safety profiles. The Flare's sealed, non-porous design is actually an advantage over fabric band trackers, which can harbor bacteria and off-gas dyes if moisture-trapped.
If you buy it
Clean the device with a damp cloth after sweat or saltwater exposure to prevent salt buildup and bacterial growth in crevices, then dry completely before recharging. Do not expose to extreme heat (prolonged sun, saunas, dishwashers) as this can degrade the housing seal and potentially degrade internal battery integrity. Replace the band or device if cracks, discoloration, or odor develop, as these indicate potential polymer breakdown. The tracker is designed for daily wear and casual water immersion, not thermal stress or harsh solvents.
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
- Misfit has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof fitness trackers & cases 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.