Quiksilver · Waterproof Sports Gear
Quiksilver Men's Taxer Amphibian Hybrid Shorts
Hybrid shorts likely have water-repellent coating; Quiksilver does not disclose PFAS.
Amphibian hybrid shorts use water-repellent treatment standard in board shorts, but Quiksilver offers no public PFAS statement or testing. Standard water-repellent coating finishes often contain PFAS.
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Material
polyester/nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent 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 in polyester
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester production and can remain in trace amounts in finished fabric. Levels in apparel are typically low and unlikely to leach under normal wear, but no third-party testing of Quiksilver shorts for antimony content is publicly available.
water-repellent coating degradation and residue
The water-repellent coating finish will degrade with washing and UV exposure over time. If PFAS-based, degradation may release both particles and soluble compounds. Quiksilver does not disclose the chemical type, so users cannot assess whether residue poses a health concern post-wear.
Microplastics
Synthetic textiles shed microfibers during washing. Polyester and nylon hybrid shorts will contribute to this environmental and potential direct-exposure issue over their lifetime, but this is not specific to Quiksilver or avoidable within this category without choosing natural fibers.
Source: EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in polyester
Polyester dyeing can use azo dyes, which are banned in the EU but still permitted in the US under some conditions. No specific recalls or reports tie Quiksilver products to restricted azo dyes, but standard industry testing is not publicly available for this model.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde resins are used in some polyester finishing processes (wrinkle resistance, color-fastness). This product is not marketed as wrinkle-resistant, and no recalls or reports link Quiksilver shorts to formaldehyde off-gassing.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These shorts combine polyester and nylon, both synthetic polymers chosen for durability and moisture-wicking in water sports. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is the chemical concern: it typically relies on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or, less commonly, wax-based alternatives to repel water. Quiksilver has not publicly disclosed which type they use in this model. Polyester and nylon themselves are stable under normal wear, but the finish degrades with washing and wear, potentially releasing particles and residual treatments.
The brand's record and disclosure
Quiksilver, owned by Boardriders Inc., has not published detailed chemical safety disclosures or PFAS phase-out commitments comparable to other major apparel brands. The company does not appear on public PFAS-elimination pledges or transparency reports. This silence is meaningful: brands leading on chemical safety typically market it prominently. Quiksilver's website and product labels do not specify water-repellent coating chemistry, which is standard practice but limits consumer choice.
How it compares in its category
Hybrid shorts with water-repellent coating are common in the water-sports category; most major competitors (Patagonia, The North Face, Rip Curl) face identical water-repellent coating questions, though some have committed to PFAS-free alternatives. Quiksilver's lack of public stance places it in the middle: neither a leader in safer chemistry nor a known violator. Price and performance are competitive; the chemical risk profile is not meaningfully different from peer brands without disclosure.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water and avoid fabric softeners, which can accelerate water-repellent coating breakdown and release residue. Limit dry-cleaning, as some solvents may interact with coating chemicals. Do not iron at high heat; the synthetic blend is stable under normal wear but prolonged high heat can degrade finishes. Replace after 2-3 years or when water no longer beads on the surface, as degraded water-repellent coating may leave behind chemical residue that washing alone won't fully remove. Consider contacting Quiksilver directly to request water-repellent coating type disclosure if that information matters to your decision.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Quiksilver has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Sports Gear
Reebok
Men's Athlete Speed Shorts
Polyester mesh and nylon blend, standard athletic construction
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
Moderate concern
Lower concern. Standard athletic shorts without water-resistant coating.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's Home Waters Hybrid Shorts
Polyester blend with PFAS-free water-repellent coating finish
Antimony in polyester fiber
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from polyester
Limited concern
Lower concern. Patagonia phased out PFAS-based water-repellent coating; verify current batch.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Adidas
Men's Workout Essentials Base Woven Shorts
Woven polyester/nylon blend, no waterproof or stain-resistant treatment specified
Azo dyes in synthetic textiles
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester fiber
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding during washing
Limited concern
Lower concern; basic woven shorts without water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
More waterproof sports gear 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.