Quiksilver Men's Mercury Gravity 21" Boardshorts
Avoid or request transparency; water-repellent coating boardshorts commonly use PFAS unconfirmed.
These boardshorts use water-repellent finish typical of the category, historically containing PFAS to maintain durability and fast-dry properties. Quiksilver provides no statement on PFAS content or alternatives.
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 with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Quiksilver Men's Mercury Boardshorts is made of, ingredients and materials
The Mercury Gravity 21 is constructed from polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings on swimwear are typically applied to repel water and speed drying, but most commercial water-repellent coating finishes historically relied on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) for their water-shedding properties. Polyester itself is stable and does not leach hazardous chemicals during normal use, but the applied coating is the primary concern.
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 (textile colorants)
Polyester boardshorts are typically dyed with azo or reactive dyes. No specific recalls exist for Quiksilver boardshorts, but azo dyes can release aromatic amines under certain conditions (prolonged wetness, sweat, chlorine). Standard manufacturing in compliant factories minimizes this risk, but exposure cannot be entirely ruled out.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde-releasing resins are sometimes used in polyester wrinkle-resistance or shrinkage-control treatments. Quiksilver does not disclose finishing chemistry. Off-gassing typically diminishes after initial washes; risk is low in normal use but higher immediately after purchase.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
All polyester garments shed microfibers during washing. Boardshorts are rinsed frequently in water; fibers can enter marine environments. This is a product-of-use hazard inherent to the material class, not specific to Quiksilver's manufacturing, but remains relevant to ocean health.
Source, EPA ↗Degradation of water-repellent coating over time
The water-repellent coating finish will degrade with repeated washing and sun exposure. As the coating breaks down, small particles may be released. Without disclosure of the specific water-repellent coating chemistry, risk of PFAS or other coating-related exposure during degradation cannot be assessed.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester
Antimony is a known catalyst in polyester synthesis, but regulatory levels are typically very low in finished garments. No specific contamination concerns have been reported for Quiksilver boardshorts, and dermal absorption during water sports is negligible.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Quiksilver has not publicly committed to PFAS-free water-repellent coating chemistry or released detailed chemical composition disclosures for their boardshort lines. The brand does not prominently advertise fluorocarbon-free finishes or third-party certifications (such as Bluesign or GOTS) for this model. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is standard in the swimwear industry but leaves consumers without information about the specific chemistry used.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream boardshorts at this price point use conventional PFAS-based water-repellent coating, making this product typical rather than differentiated. Competitors like Billabong and Rip Curl have similarly opaque water-repellent coating disclosures. Brands explicitly marketing PFAS-free boardshorts (such as Patagonia or niche eco-labels) remain the exception and often cost significantly more.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water before first wear to remove loose finishes and dyes. Avoid prolonged contact with skin immediately after purchase; line-dry rather than tumble-dry to preserve the water-repellent coating. Expect the water-repellent finish to degrade after 20-30 washes; re-treatment with water-repellent coating sprays marketed as not containing PFAS (available commercially) is an option. Do not machine-wash in hot water, as heat can accelerate coating breakdown and potential leaching.
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 Mercury Gravity 21" Boardshorts?
- 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.