Quiksilver Men's Geometric Swim Trunks
Avoid or verify; standard swim trunks likely use PFAS-based water-repellent coating, no disclosure.
These polyester swim trunks feature water-repellent treatment typical of the category, commonly applied using PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings. Quiksilver provides no PFAS disclosure.
The better-graded swap
Patagonia
Patagonia Women's Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
90/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester swim trunks with likely water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Quiksilver Men's Geometric Swim Trunks is made of, ingredients and materials
Quiksilver geometric swim trunks are polyester, a synthetic polymer that itself is chemically stable and non-toxic during normal wear. The critical component is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the fabric surface. This finish is what keeps the trunks from absorbing water and becoming heavy. Most mainstream swim brands use fluorochemical water-repellent coating coatings, which are PFAS compounds. These compounds do not naturally biodegrade and can leach into skin sweat or laundering water, especially with repeated washing or heat exposure.
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.
PFAS
Standard polyester swim trunks are almost universally finished with PFAS-based water repellents. Quiksilver has not disclosed its specific water-repellent coating chemistry, so assume a fluorochemical formulation unless labeled otherwise. Leaching risk is highest in the first 3-5 washes and increases with heat exposure or damage to the coating.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Polyester swim trunks require synthetic dyes for geometric prints and solid colors. Azo dyes, while heavily regulated in textiles, can release aromatic amines under abrasion, sweat, or chlorine exposure. Quiksilver does not disclose dye chemistry or whether it uses restricted azo compounds; standard commercial practice does not guarantee exclusion.
Polyester microfiber shedding
Polyester trunks shed microfibers during washing and wear, especially if the fabric is abraded (e.g., rubbing against sand, chair seams). These fibers are too small to trap mechanically and enter wastewater. The health impact of microplastic ingestion is still under study, but environmental accumulation is documented.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some polyester fabrics receive formaldehyde-based finishing treatments to improve wrinkle resistance or texture. Quiksilver does not disclose sizing chemicals. New trunks may have a chemical smell initially, which typically dissipates after 2-3 washes; this is not a marker of hazard, only of product age and processing.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester (trace residue)
Polyester can be catalyzed with antimony compounds during manufacture. Modern swimwear brands use low-antimony or antimony-free processes, and migration to skin during wear is negligible. No recalls or complaints specific to Quiksilver swim products have been recorded for antimony.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Quiksilver has not published a public statement on PFAS use or phase-out timelines as of available records. The brand does not list chemical suppliers, water-repellent coating formulations, or third-party certifications (such as bluesign or GOTS) for this product. This silence is typical of mainstream swimwear brands and reflects no formal commitment to fluorine-free alternatives. Quiksilver's parent company Boardriders Inc. has not disclosed a chemical management policy addressing PFAS in apparel.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional swim trunks from mass-market brands (Nike, Adidas, Billabong) use PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes. Fluorine-free or certified-sustainable alternatives exist but are niche and typically cost 30-50% more. Quiksilver's trunks are priced in the mainstream range, consistent with PFAS-finished products. If you want documented PFAS avoidance, brands like Patagonia or smaller companies with bluesign certification are rare in this category.
If you buy it
Wash the trunks by hand or on a gentle cycle in cold water before first wear to reduce initial leaching of water-repellent coating finish particles. Avoid hot water and tumble dryers, which accelerate coating degradation and skin transfer. Replace the trunks after 2-3 seasons of regular use or when the water-repellent feel noticeably declines. Do not assume the water-repellent coating finish is permanent; it degrades with washing, which is the product's normal lifecycle.
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
- Quiksilver 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 Quiksilver Men's Geometric Swim Trunks?
- Nylon/polyester blend with elastane (standard swimwear)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Elastane (spandex) degradation under heat or chlorine
- Cotton/cotton-blend seersucker plaid
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and colorfast stability
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Polyester/nylon swimsuit fabric, likely uncoated or standard finish
- Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore 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.