Quiksilver · Waterproof Sports Gear
Quiksilver Men's Union Heather Amphibian Hybrid Shorts
Hybrid shorts likely water-treated; PFAS risk unconfirmed by brand.
Quiksilver does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry for these shorts. Polyester blend with water treatment is standard for board shorts, often containing PFAS, but unverified here.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester blend with water-resistant treatment
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Quiksilver Men's Union Hybrid Shorts is made of, ingredients and materials
These shorts are a polyester blend (likely polyester-nylon or polyester-cotton mix) with a durable water-resistant (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the fabric surface. The water-repellent coating is what makes the shorts repel water without soaking through, but historically many such coatings used PFAS chemicals (fluorocarbons) to achieve that effect. Modern water-repellent coating finishes can be PFAS-free, but Quiksilver has not disclosed which chemistry they use for this product. The polyester fiber itself is stable under normal wear; the variable hazard is entirely in the coating.
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
Water-resistant treatment on polyester blend shorts commonly uses PFAS-based fluorocarbon chemistry; Quiksilver has not disclosed or committed to PFAS-free alternatives for this product line. Risk is inhalation during manufacturing (primarily worker exposure) and potential leaching into skin/sweat under prolonged wet wear, though absorption through intact skin is low.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Polyester blend textiles often use azo dyes for color fastness; some azo dyes can degrade into aromatic amines under sweat and UV exposure. Quiksilver does not specify dye chemistry for the 'Heather' colorway. Risk is low under normal wear but higher if shorts are worn wet in sun for extended periods.
Microfiber shedding from polyester blend
Polyester textiles shed microfibers during washing and wear, especially in blends with higher polyester content. Not a direct consumer health hazard but an environmental persistence concern. Quiksilver provides no microfiber reduction or evidence of special low-shed construction.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester
Polyester resin can contain antimony as a catalyst; trace amounts may leach in contact with sweat or water. No recalls or test results on record for Quiksilver shorts. Modern polyester production increasingly avoids antimony, but disclosure is not standard.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-repellent coating and water-resistant finishes may contain formaldehyde-releasing compounds to improve durability. No established hazard reported for finished Quiksilver shorts; off-gassing is typically minimal after manufacturing and first wash.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Quiksilver (owned by Boardriders Inc.) has not made public commitments to PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatments across their apparel lines, and does not disclose coating chemistry on product labels or websites for most shorts. The brand has no major recalls or established safety controversies on record for this product category. However, their silence on water-repellency chemistry is notable in an industry where PFAS disclosure has become increasingly expected and some competitors have begun voluntary elimination or transparency efforts.
How it compares in its category
Water-resistant hybrid/athletic shorts are widespread, and nearly all major brands (Rip Curl, O'Neill, Patagonia, Arc'teryx) treat them similarly for water-repellent coating. Patagonia and some premium labels have begun switching to PFAS-free water-repellent coating or disclosing their use, making them slightly more transparent. Quiksilver's approach is middle-of-the-road, they apply functional water-repellent coating without public commitment to either lower-concern chemistry or transparency. Most competitors in this price tier operate the same way.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cool water the first few times to minimize dye bleed or coating release. Machine wash presents lower concern; chlorine bleach is not recommended (degrades water-resistant treatment). Avoid high heat dryers; air dry to preserve the water-repellent coating finish. The coating will degrade over 50-100 washes with normal care; when water no longer beads on the surface, the shorts have reached end-of-life for water resistance but remain wearable as regular shorts. Do not assume the water-repellent coating is 'refreshable' with consumer products unless explicitly labeled.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% 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 Union Heather Amphibian Hybrid Shorts?
- Woven polyester/nylon blend, no waterproof or stain-resistant treatment specified
- Heavy metals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Polyester mesh and nylon blend, standard athletic construction
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Polyester blend with PFAS-free water-repellent coating finish
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Fragrance or dye allergen sensitivity
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore 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.