Seafolly Women's Cap Sleeve Zip Front One Piece
water-repellent coating treatment raises PFAS concern; Seafolly provides no transparency.
This polyamide one-piece with water-resistant finishing typical of performance swimwear often relies on PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings. Seafolly provides no information about 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
Polyamide/nylon swimsuit fabric with likely water-repellent coating finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Seafolly Women's Cap Sleeve Zip Front One is made of, ingredients and materials
This swimsuit is polyamide (nylon), a synthetic thermoplastic polymer widely used in swimwear for durability and elasticity. The cap sleeve and zip front construction are standard, but the 'water-resistant' claim typically signals a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish, which is commonly applied to nylon swimwear to enhance water beading and quick-dry properties. water-repellent coating finishes on textiles have historically relied on fluorinated compounds, though some manufacturers have shifted to non-fluorinated alternatives without public announcement.
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) finish composition
Polyamide swimwear marked 'water-resistant' typically bears a water-repellent coating; Seafolly does not disclose whether this uses fluorinated (PFAS-related) or non-fluorinated chemistry. Leaching into skin or water during use is not well-characterized for this specific product.
Microplastic shedding
All polyamide garments release microfibers during washing. water-repellent coating coatings may accelerate degradation over repeated laundering, increasing shed particle burden in waterways. Seafolly provides no durability or shedding data specific to this model.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes and colorant toxicity
Nylon swimwear fabrics can be dyed with azo compounds linked to aniline release under certain conditions. No specific safety recalls or contamination reports are on record for Seafolly swimsuits, and modern manufacturers typically screen for banned azo dyes, but independent testing is not disclosed.
Heavy metals
Dyes and pigments in colored nylon can theoretically contain lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals if suppliers are unvetted. Seafolly does not provide supplier certifications or restricted substance lists, so residual contamination cannot be ruled out but is unlikely at typical consumer exposure levels.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
While formaldehyde-based wrinkle-resistance or shape-memory resins are less common in swimwear than in apparel, some manufacturers use them. No evidence of formaldehyde finishes on Seafolly products is documented, and swimwear typically avoids these in favor of elastane stretch fibers.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Seafolly, an Australian swimwear brand owned by Pentland Group, does not publish material safety data sheets, PFAS disclosure statements, or third-party certifications for its garments. No chemical testing recalls or public safety controversies specific to Seafolly swimwear are documented in major databases. The brand's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry and fluorinated compound use is typical of mainstream swimwear manufacturers but leaves consumer exposure unquantified.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream swimwear brands (Speedo, Arena, TYR) apply water-repellent coating finishes and similarly lack transparent PFAS disclosure. Brands like Patagonia and some smaller eco-labels offer PFAS-free or low-fluorine alternatives with documented testing, but at higher price points. Seafolly sits in the middle market with no claimed advantage over competitors on chemical transparency, making it neither a leader nor an outlier in category risk.
If you buy it
Rinse the garment thoroughly in cool freshwater after each saltwater or chlorinated use to remove chemical residues and extend fabric life. Avoid hot water and machine drying, which can degrade nylon elasticity and potentially accelerate any coating degradation. Hand wash with mild detergent and air dry flat or hanging. Replace the suit every 2 to 3 years of regular use, as polyamide loses elasticity and water-repellent coating coatings wear regardless of PFAS composition.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 48% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Seafolly has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Swimwear
Patagonia
Women's Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
- 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
Solid & Striped
Taylor One Piece Seersucker Plaid
- Cotton/cotton-blend seersucker plaid
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and colorfast stability
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Adidas
Women's Mexicana Florals Tie-Back Swimsuit
- Polyester/nylon swimsuit fabric, likely uncoated or standard finish
- Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More 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.