New Balance · Sports Performance Undergarments
New Balance Men's Mesh Jersey Performance Wicking No Fly Boxer Briefs
High risk. Skip until New Balance discloses treatment details.
Mesh boxer briefs feature unspecified moisture-wicking coating, often containing PFAS. New Balance has not disclosed treatment chemistry.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester mesh with moisture-wicking finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What New Balance Men's Mesh Fly Boxer Briefs is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is polyester mesh with an applied moisture-wicking finish. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic polymer, but the applied finish (likely a coating or chemical treatment to repel moisture and manage sweat) is where risk concentrates. The mesh construction increases surface area exposed to skin and washing, which can accelerate any finish degradation. Moisture-wicking finishes are typically proprietary formulations that may include surfactants, resins, or other additives not always disclosed to consumers.
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.
Azo dyes in polyester fabric
Polyester apparel is routinely dyed with azo colorants; while EU and many reputable brands restrict carcinogenic azo dyes, New Balance does not publish dye compliance data. Risk is low but not documented as zero.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some moisture-wicking coatings use formaldehyde-releasing resins for durability. New Balance does not disclose this detail, so residual formaldehyde contamination cannot be ruled out, particularly in new garments before first wash.
Source, ATSDR ↗Finish degradation and off-gassing over time
All applied finishes degrade with washing and heat exposure. As the moisture-wicking treatment breaks down, microscopic particles or volatile compounds could be released; the absence of published finish chemistry means the composition of these degradation products is unknown.
Microplastic shedding from mesh
Polyester textiles shed microfibers during washing. Mesh construction with loose weave may shed more than tightly woven alternatives. This is a known category-wide issue, not specific to New Balance, but relevant to long-term environmental and potential inhalation exposure.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester polymer
Antimony trioxide is a catalyst used in polyester production and typically remains as trace residue. No recall or contamination data exists for New Balance apparel, and levels in modern polyester have not triggered regulatory action, but independent testing is not publicly available.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
New Balance does not publicly disclose the chemistry of its moisture-wicking treatments on performance apparel. The brand has no known major safety recalls or contamination scandals in athletic wear, but the lack of transparency about functional finishes is notable given industry-wide concerns about PFAS use in water-repellent and sweat-management coatings. Competitors (Patagonia, some Nike lines) have begun disclosing or phasing out PFAS-based finishes; New Balance has not made similar public commitments.
How it compares in its category
Performance boxer briefs in this price range typically use polyester with undisclosed finishes, so New Balance is not exceptional in this respect. Some premium brands now offer PFAS-free moisture-wicking alternatives using plant-based or fluorine-free coatings, though these cost more. Natural-fiber alternatives (merino wool, organic cotton blends) eliminate the finish chemistry question entirely but sacrifice some performance and durability. New Balance's approach is mainstream but increasingly outdated given available alternatives.
If you buy it
Wash in cool or warm water with standard detergent; avoid chlorine bleach and fabric softeners, which can degrade synthetic finishes and potentially mobilize residual chemicals. Do not dry-clean or expose to high heat (dryers should be low or air-dry preferred) to prevent coating degradation and off-gassing. Replace after visible seam breakdown, pilling, or loss of moisture-wicking performance (typically 1-2 years of regular use). If skin irritation develops after purchase, discontinue use and rinse thoroughly; this may indicate sensitivity to the finish or dyes.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- New Balance has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to New Balance Men's Mesh Jersey Performance Wicking No Fly Boxer Briefs?
- Cotton/polyester blend socks, no waterproofing
- Azo dyes
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 100% cotton
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and residual dye chemicals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Supima cotton, no surface treatment disclosed
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore sports performance 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.