Saucony · Waterproof Sports Undergarments
Saucony Men's Outpace 5" Shorts
Skip or verify water-repellent coating treatment source with Saucony directly.
Saucony doesn't disclose PFAS status for this running short. Polyester base is lower concern, but water-repellent coating water-repellent finish may contain PFAS, so direct inquiry is recommended.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester with water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Saucony Men's Outpace 5" Shorts is made of, ingredients and materials
Saucony Outpace 5 shorts are polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic polymer and does not leach chemicals during normal wear. The water-repellent coating is the material concern, traditional water-repellent coating finishes often rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS variants), though some brands have shifted to fluorine-free alternatives. Without disclosure from Saucony on the specific water-repellent coating chemistry, the fluorine risk cannot be ruled out.
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 fiber
Polyester production may involve antimony as a catalyst in fiber synthesis. Residual antimony is typically below safety thresholds in finished apparel, but migration risk during wear is not fully characterized. Saucony does not disclose antimony levels or removal processes.
water-repellent coating degradation and leaching
Fluorinated water-repellent coating finishes can degrade and shed microparticles or compounds during washing and wear. Published studies show polyester textiles with PFAS-based water-repellent coating release fluorine into wash water; Saucony's specific water-repellent coating formulation is unknown.
Fragrance or dye allergens from water-repellent coating or finishes
Water-repellent coating coatings and dyes can contain contact allergens; sensitive skin may react. No published incidents for this brand specifically, but polyester shorts with chemical finishes carry low baseline allergen risk if standards are followed.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in polyester
Polyester shorts can be produced with azo dyes that release aromatic amines under heavy abrasion or sweat. No specific recalls for Saucony shorts exist; standard quality control in major brands typically screens for banned azo dyes, but confirmation is not public.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester shorts may use formaldehyde-based resins for shrink resistance or wrinkle reduction. No specific formaldehyde hazard is on record for Saucony apparel. Standard manufacturing regulations in major markets limit residual formaldehyde, and polyester is lower-risk than cotton or blends for this hazard.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Saucony has not published a public position on PFAS use in apparel or footwear water-repellent coating treatments as of available records. The brand does not list PFAS avoidance or BLUESIGN certification in its standard product documentation. No major safety recalls specific to chemical hazards in Saucony apparel shorts have been established in public databases. Direct inquiry to Saucony customer service is the most reliable path to confirm water-repellent coating chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Athletic shorts with water-repellent coating finishes are common; polyester is the industry standard for moisture-wicking performance. Brands with explicit fluorine-free or BLUESIGN-certified water-repellent coating (e.g., Patagonia) disclose this prominently; Saucony's silence on treatment chemistry is typical of mid-market athletic brands. Most competitors in this price range do not provide water-repellent coating source transparency either, making this shorts neither exceptional nor outlier in hazard disclosure.
If you buy it
Wash in cool to warm water (avoid hot) and air dry to preserve the water-repellent coating and avoid unnecessary chemical degradation. Do not tumble dry or apply heat. If water-repellent coating water repellency fades after 20-30 washes, the coating is wearing normally and replacement is an option; do not reapply aftermarket water-repellent coating unless you verify it contains no fluorine. Contact Saucony before purchase if PFAS avoidance is critical to your decision.
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
- Saucony has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Saucony Men's Outpace 5" Shorts?
- Cotton-blend knit jersey, uncoated
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- cotton jersey, no applied finish
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and colorant residues
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 100% cotton jersey knit, untreated
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof sports undergarments 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.