Quiksilver Men's Swim Trunk
Avoid until brand discloses water-repellent coating composition or switches to fluorine-free repellent.
Quiksilver swim trunks typically feature polyester with water-repellent coating treatment historically reliant on PFAS compounds like C8 and C6 fluorocarbons. The brand makes no public 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/nylon blend with water-repellent coating finish
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Quiksilver Men's Swim Trunk is made of, ingredients and materials
Quiksilver swim trunks are typically constructed from polyester and nylon blends, both synthetic polymers that are stable when not exposed to extreme heat. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the fabric is the primary chemical concern; manufacturers commonly use either legacy PFAS-based formulations or newer fluorine-free alternatives, but Quiksilver has not publicly specified which type is used in this product. Polyester and nylon themselves do not readily leach into skin or water under normal swimwear conditions.
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
Microplastic shedding during wash
Polyester and nylon fibers shed microplastics incrementally with repeated laundering. Quiksilver trunks are not distinguished as higher or lower shedders within the synthetic swimwear category; this is a material-class hazard, not brand-specific.
water-repellent coating chemical leaching (undisclosed formulation)
If the water-repellent coating finish uses legacy PFAS chemistry, low-level leaching into skin during wear or water during laundering is possible. Quiksilver's refusal to disclose the water-repellent coating type prevents clear risk stratification; this is why PFAS verdict is 'skip until disclosure.'
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in polyester-nylon blends
Quiksilver swim trunks carry no documented azo-dye contamination or restricted-substance violations on public record. Most mainstream swimwear manufacturers comply with basic textile safety limits; however, no specific testing data for this product line has been disclosed.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Modern swim trunks rarely use formaldehyde-heavy resin finishes; water-repellent coating treatments have largely displaced such chemistries. No public reports link Quiksilver swim trunks to formaldehyde off-gassing or dermatological complaints.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Quiksilver has not published detailed chemistry disclosures or water-repellent sourcing commitments comparable to outdoor apparel leaders (e.g., Patagonia's fluorine-free initiatives). No major recalls or documented chemical contamination incidents specific to Quiksilver swimwear are on public record. The brand's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of mainstream swim manufacturers but represents a gap in transparency that makes independent hazard assessment incomplete.
How it compares in its category
Quiksilver occupies the mid-market swimwear space; competitors range from budget retailers (minimal or no water-repellent coating) to performance brands that have begun disclosing fluorine-free water repellents. Most mass-market swim trunks carry the same undisclosed water-repellent coating risk. Quiksilver's fabric quality and durability are consistent with its price tier and do not stand out as higher or lower risk relative to comparable brands like Rip Curl or O'Neill.
If you buy it
Rinse thoroughly with fresh water immediately after saltwater or chlorinated pool exposure to remove residual chemicals and salt deposits. Machine wash in cool water and air dry; avoid high heat drying, which can degrade synthetic fibers and potentially release volatile compounds. Replace after 2-3 years of regular use or if the fabric shows pilling, seam separation, or loss of water-repellency. Do not dry-clean, as solvent exposure may compromise the water-repellent coating finish.
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 Swim Trunk?
- 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.