Quiksilver · Waterproof Sports Gear
Quiksilver Men's Waterman Strands Regular-Fit Shorts
Wait for brand to disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or switch to PFAS-free.
Quiksilver offers no public statement on water-repellent coating chemistry in these shorts. Waterman apparel typically uses water-repellent coating finishes, often PFAS-based.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
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.
PFAS
Undisclosed water-repellent coating chemistry on polyester-blend shorts; fluorinated compounds remain common in water-resistant apparel, though non-fluorinated alternatives are now available. Brand silence prevents certainty.
Source: ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public record of formaldehyde-based resins in Quiksilver's standard athletic shorts. Polyester and nylon do not typically require formaldehyde fixation; risk is low for this product type.
Source: ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
No documented incidents or warnings for Quiksilver apparel on prohibited azo-dye or cadmium-pigment grounds. Standard polyester dyeing does not inherently pose this hazard if suppliers comply with textile import rules.
Source: FDA ↗Antimony catalyst residues in polyester
Antimony is used as a polyesterization catalyst and can remain in fabric at trace levels (typically under regulatory concern). Skin contact with finished shorts poses negligible risk; no evidence of elevated antimony in Quiksilver products.
Flame retardants
Casual water shorts are not subject to flame-retardant regulations and do not typically contain added flame retardants. Polyester is naturally flame-resistant and does not require chemical enhancement for this product category.
Source: EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These shorts are polyester-blend fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Polyester itself is stable and does not leach chemicals into skin under normal wear. However, water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS-class chemicals) to repel water; modern alternatives exist but Quiksilver has not publicly stated which chemistry they use for this product. The blend likely includes nylon or elastane for stretch, which are chemically inert in finished form.
The brand's record and disclosure
Quiksilver has not published a comprehensive chemical disclosure policy or PFAS elimination timeline as of available public records. The brand has not been linked to major textile chemical scandals, but its silence on water-repellent coating sourcing is the critical gap for water-resistant apparel. No certifications (Bluesign, GOTS, or similar) are commonly advertised for this line, suggesting minimal third-party chemical oversight in production.
How it compares in its category
Water-resistant shorts in this price tier commonly use legacy fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments; Quiksilver is typical rather than leading or lagging. Premium competitors (e.g., Patagonia) now disclose PFAS-free alternatives; budget brands often remain silent. Untreated polyester shorts exist but sacrifice water-repellency, a core feature for water sports apparel.
If you buy it
Wash separately on cold cycles initially, as water-repellent coating finishes can shed particles in early use. Avoid high heat drying, which degrades polyester and can concentrate any residual treatment chemicals. Replace shorts when seams fray or elastic degrades (typically 2-3 years with regular use), not when water-repellency fades, as water-repellent coating loss does not create hazard. Contact Quiksilver directly to request water-repellent coating chemistry transparency before purchase if PFAS avoidance is a priority.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% 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.