Nike · Water-Resistant Swimwear
Nike Women's Shoreline Scoop Neck One Piece Swimsuit
High PFAS risk. Skip until Nike discloses water-repellent coating chemistry. Swimwear often uses PFAS water repellents.
Nike's Shoreline swimsuit likely uses a water-repellent coating finish typical of performance swimwear. Nike doesn't provide public disclosure on PFAS use in this product.
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Material
Nylon/polyester 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 treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Antimony (polyester catalyst residue)
Polyester production uses antimony trioxide as a catalyst; residual antimony can remain in the final fabric. Levels are generally low and not regulated in finished apparel, but prolonged skin contact in swimwear is higher than clothing. No specific testing of Nike swimwear for antimony is publicly available.
Elastane/spandex degradation and leaching
Most swimsuits contain elastane (spandex) for stretch, which degrades in chlorine and saltwater, releasing oligomers and microfibers. This is normal wear and not specific to Nike, but repeated washing accelerates it. No special hazard noted for Nike's elastane blend versus competitors.
water-repellent coating finish degradation and chemical release
The water-repellent coating finish will shed microparticles and potentially release finishing chemicals into water during washing and use. If PFAS-based (unconfirmed), this is a persistent exposure route. Even if non-PFAS, degradation products are uncharacterized and warrant caution.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes (synthetic colorants)
Nike does not use restricted azo dyes linked to aromatic amine release in their mainstream athletic wear. No recalls or testing issues on record for Nike swimwear colors.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Standard nylon/polyester blends used in swimwear do not typically require formaldehyde-based resins. No documented formaldehyde contamination in Nike swimwear products.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This swimsuit uses a nylon/polyester blend, a common durable choice for swimwear that resists chlorine and saltwater better than cotton. The critical unknown is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the fabric. Nike does not publicly specify whether their water-repellent coating uses PFAS-based fluorochemicals (which are persistent and accumulate in the body) or newer alternatives like silicone or wax-based systems. water-repellent coating finishes degrade over time and with washing, which affects both water repellency and potential chemical release.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has not published transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry for this specific product or swimwear line. The company signed the Safer Chemicals Manufacturing Pledge in 2011 and committed to phasing out PFAS in apparel by 2025, but has provided no public testing results or timeline verification for swimwear. This silence is notable because swimwear is among the last apparel categories to move away from PFAS-based water repellents due to durability demands. Without disclosure, you cannot confirm whether this product meets the 2025 commitment.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream swimwear brands (Nike, Adidas, Speedo) still use traditional PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes because non-PFAS alternatives have shorter durability in water sports. Smaller or eco-certified brands (Girlfriend Collective, Vitamin A) increasingly use PFAS-free finishes or omit water-repellent coating entirely, accepting shorter water-repellent lifespan. This Nike product sits in the standard mainstream category where PFAS use remains the industry norm, despite retailer pressure and Nike's public pledge.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water and air dry to extend fabric life and minimize water-repellent coating degradation (which accelerates with heat and agitation). Expect the water-repellent finish to noticeably reduce after 20-30 wears and 10-15 machine washes. Replace the suit if elastic degrades, seams separate, or the fabric loses shape, as these signal structural failure, not chemical hazard. Store dry in a cool place away from direct sunlight to prevent polyester breakdown.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Nike has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Water-Resistant Swimwear
J.Crew
Women's Gail One-piece
Polyamide/nylon blend (swimwear)
Lower PFAS concern for basic nylon.
⚠Risky category by default
J.Crew
Lana Classic Sculpt One-piece
Nylon/spandex blend (swimsuit)
Lower concern. Standard swimwear with no known PFAS treatment triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
J.Crew
Women's Squareneck One-piece
Nylon/spandex blend swimwear
Lower concern. Untreated swimwear fabric, but J.Crew makes no PFAS promises.
⚠Risky category by default
More water-resistant swimwear 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.