Rip Curl Women's Classic Surf One-Piece Swimsuit
Moderate concern, typical surf swimwear likely uses water-repellent coating, Rip Curl makes no PFAS disclosure.
This standard performance swimwear commonly receives water-repellent coating treatments for extended wear and water resistance. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS use or testing.
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 likely water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Rip Curl Women's Classic Surf Swimsuit is made of, ingredients and materials
This swimsuit is a polyester/nylon blend, standard for surf and performance swimwear because these synthetics dry quickly, stretch, and resist chlorine and saltwater better than natural fibers. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to such swimwear is typically a fluorochemical coating designed to shed water and improve performance in the ocean. Over time and with repeated washing, water-repellent coating coatings shed microfibers and break down, which is why durability and care matter significantly for limiting exposure.
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.
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) fluorochemical coating
Standard on performance swimwear for water beading and durability. Specific PFAS compound unknown without testing; typical formulations include legacy long-chain PFOA or modern short-chain alternatives. Shedding occurs with washing and wear, introducing fibers and coating fragments into wastewater.
Polyester/nylon fiber degradation and microfiber shedding
Polyester blends are prone to microfiber loss during washing and wear, especially in high-friction areas like leg bands and straps. These microfibers may accumulate any residual water-repellent coating or dyes and enter aquatic ecosystems; risk increases with frequent washing.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes and color fastness
No specific dye issues reported for Rip Curl swimwear. Polyester typically accepts synthetic dyes well, but black and dark colors may shed dye in early washes. Rip Curl does not provide dye composition data or certifications like OEKO-TEX that would rule out restricted azo compounds.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde-based resins are sometimes used to fix dyes or finish synthetic fabrics. No specific reports exist for Rip Curl swimwear, but the brand provides no dye or resin disclosure. Risk is typically low in swimwear compared to apparel, but unverified.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is a common catalyst in polyester synthesis. It can leach in trace amounts, particularly from new garments and with heat or acidic conditions. No antimony leaching data exists for Rip Curl swimwear; risk is generally considered low but unquantified without testing.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Rip Curl is a major action sports apparel manufacturer but makes no public commitment to PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives or chemical disclosure on this product. The company has not published a restricted substance list or third-party certifications (such as bluesign or OEKO-TEX) that would signal independent chemical vetting. No recalls or specific contamination reports are on record for Rip Curl swimwear, but the absence of disclosure is itself a data gap.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream surf and performance swimwear brands (Rip Curl, Quiksilver, O'Neill) rely on fluorocarbon water-repellent coating finishes and do not disclose their chemistry. A minority of brands (e.g., Patagonia, some specialist eco-lines) have committed to fluorine-free water repellent alternatives, though these are less common in hardcore surf apparel. Rip Curl's lack of differentiation on chemical safety places it in the typical midrange of the category, neither worst nor best.
If you buy it
Wash in cool or warm water (not hot) with mild detergent and minimal washing; the detergent itself can accelerate water-repellent coating breakdown. Air dry completely and avoid high-heat drying, which can degrade both the nylon/polyester fibers and the water repellent finish. Expect to replace the suit every 2-3 seasons of regular use as the water-repellent coating wears and the fibers thin; this natural replacement cycle limits cumulative exposure. If water-repellent coating function visibly declines (water no longer beads), discontinue use rather than applying aftermarket re-treatments, which typically contain additional fluorochemicals.
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
- Rip Curl has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Rip Curl Women's Classic Surf One-Piece Swimsuit?
- 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.