Nike · Waterproof Sports Undergarments
Nike Men's Dri-FIT Ready Fitness T-Shirt
Lower concern for standard athletic tee, but water-repellent coating finish may contain PFAS.
Dri-FIT is a moisture-wicking polyester blend commonly treated with water and sweat-repellent coatings. Nike doesn't publicly disclose PFAS use, though water-repellent coating finishes often contain PFOA or alternatives.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester blend with Dri-FIT moisture-wicking treatment
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Nike Men's Dri-FIT Ready Fitness T-Shirt is made of, ingredients and materials
This shirt is a polyester blend (likely 88% polyester / 12% spandex or similar) treated with Nike's Dri-FIT moisture-wicking finish. Polyester itself is chemically stable once manufactured, but the applied finish coating and any dyes used in production are the primary chemical exposure points. The Dri-FIT treatment may include low-level PFAS compounds to aid water repellency, though this is not disclosed by Nike. Spandex content adds elasticity but introduces antimony catalysts (common in polyester production); residual levels in finished fabric are typically minimal.
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.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony is a common catalyst in polyester synthesis; residual levels in finished fabric are typically <1000 ppm and pose minimal risk during normal wear, but can leach slightly in acidic sweat environments on sensitive skin. No recalls of Nike apparel for antimony toxicity are on record.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
The Dri-FIT finish may contain trace formaldehyde as a crosslinking agent to bind coating to fiber; typical levels in finished apparel are below 75 ppm after manufacture, but are not disclosed by Nike. Off-gassing decreases with washing.
Source, ATSDR ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from finish coating
Moisture-wicking treatments can emit low-level VOCs (solvents, proprietary polymers) during the first few wears and washes. Odor and mild irritation may occur in sensitive individuals; this is typically not hazardous but can be reduced by pre-washing and airing the garment.
Microplastic shedding from fiber degradation
Polyester sheds microfibers with washing over time, a concern for environmental aquatic health rather than wearer health. High-heat drying and frequent washing accelerate this; cold, gentle washing and air drying reduce shedding.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes and colorant safety
Nike does not publicly disclose dye chemistry for this product. Azo dyes that cleave to harmful amines are banned in the EU and by many certifications, but enforcement in imported US athletic wear varies. No specific safety finding for this shirt model is on record.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has not publicly committed to PFAS-free formulations in athletic apparel and does not disclose the chemical composition of Dri-FIT treatments. The brand does source some products under stricter chemical management (e.g., some lines certified by Bluesign or OEKO-TEX), but this Dri-FIT tee is not advertised as certified to those standards. No major safety recalls or hazardous dye findings have been reported for current Nike athletic shirts. Nike's opacity on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical for the athletic apparel industry but remains a limitation for consumers seeking full transparency.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mainstream athletic tee market. It is chemically comparable to competitors (Adidas Climalite, Under Armour Tech, etc.), which use similar polyester blends with proprietary moisture-wicking treatments of undisclosed composition. Certified alternatives (e.g., Patagonia Capilene using OEKO-TEX standards) exist but cost more and are less widely available. For typical athletic wear, the hazard profile of this Nike tee is not unusually elevated relative to other major brands in the segment.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water before first wear to reduce loose dye and finish particles. Wash in cold water regularly (polyester dyes can bleed if exposed to high heat). Avoid prolonged high-temperature drying, as synthetic fibers degrade above 130F and may off-gas slightly; air dry or low-heat tumble dry reduces this risk. Do not bleach or use fabric softeners, which can degrade the Dri-FIT finish and increase skin contact with coating residues. Replace after 50-100 washes or if fabric pilling or loss of water-repellency indicates coating breakdown.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Nike has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Nike Men's Dri-FIT Ready Fitness T-Shirt?
- Cotton-blend knit jersey, uncoated
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- cotton jersey, no applied finish
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and colorant residues
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 100% cotton jersey knit, untreated
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof sports 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.