Speedo Women's Moderate Ultraback PowerFLEX One Piece Swimsuit
Avoid unless Speedo confirms PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatment.
PowerFLEX swimsuits use synthetic blends with water-repellent treatment, a known PFAS source in apparel. Speedo does not publicly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or provide PFAS-free certification, leaving PFAS presence unconfirmed without third-party lab data.
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Material
Polyester/nylon blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
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
water-repellent coating finishes on polyester swimwear commonly contain PFAS compounds; Speedo's specific formulation is undisclosed. This is the primary chemical concern for this product class.
Source: ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester fibers
Polyester is sometimes produced using antimony as a catalyst; however, antimony is tightly bound in the polymer matrix and migration into skin contact or water is considered minimal under normal use. No specific warnings exist for Speedo swimwear.
Microplastic shedding from fiber breakdown
All polyester swimwear sheds microfibers during washing and wear. This is an environmental concern rather than a direct health hazard to the wearer, but accumulation in water systems is documented. Speedo does not market anti-shed technology on this model.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in polyester
No recalls or warnings specific to Speedo swimwear dyes have been reported. Polyester dyes in mainstream brands are generally compliant with US and EU restrictions on carcinogenic azo compounds, though batch-level testing is not publicly disclosed.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Modern polyester swimwear finishes rarely rely on formaldehyde-releasing compounds. No formaldehyde contamination has been reported for Speedo products, though full manufacturing transparency is not available.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This suit is a polyester/nylon blend with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the surface to shed water and chlorine. water-repellent coating coatings on swimwear are historically treated with PFAS-based compounds, though some manufacturers have begun using PFAS-free alternatives. The polyester and nylon base fabrics themselves are stable polymers, but the finish layer is where chemical risk concentrates. Once the water-repellent coating degrades from use and washing, the suit loses water repellency and may begin to absorb chlorine more readily, accelerating material fatigue.
The brand's record and disclosure
Speedo does not publicly disclose the chemistry of its water-repellent coating treatments or provide PFAS-free certifications on product pages. The brand has not published statements confirming PFAS phase-out across its swimwear lines, nor does it list third-party eco-certifications on this style. This silence on treatment chemistry is typical in the broader swimwear industry and reflects lack of regulatory requirement for disclosure. Without direct confirmation from Speedo, the water-repellent coating finish cannot be assumed PFAS-free.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional swimwear brands (Speedo, Arena, TYR) do not transparently disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Emerging alternatives like Girlfriend Collective and some Patagonia styles market PFAS-free or PFC-free finishes explicitly. Standard polyester swimwear without water-repellent coating treatment avoids the finish hazard entirely but sacrifices durability and water-shedding performance. This product sits in the mainstream performance segment where PFAS treatment remains unconfirmed industry practice.
If you buy it
Rinse the suit in fresh water after each use and air-dry away from direct heat or sunlight, which can accelerate coating breakdown. Replace the suit every 1-2 years of regular use or when the fabric begins to lose elasticity, the seams weaken, or the water-repellent coating finish visibly peels or flakes. Do not use fabric softener, bleach, or hot water, as these degrade both the polyester and the water-repellent coating layer. Consider reaching out to Speedo customer service to ask explicitly whether this model uses PFAS-based or PFAS-free water-repellent coating before committing.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Speedo has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Swimwear
Speedo
Women's Eco Solid Adult Super Pro Swimsuit
Polyester/nylon blend (standard swimsuit fabric)
Lower concern, typical swimwear without known water-repellent treatment, though Speedo has not disclosed PFAS avoidance.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Women's Bottom Turn Racerback Bikini Top
Nylon/polyester blend with elastane (standard swimwear)
Lower concern, basic swimwear without water-repellent coating, though Patagonia's broader PFAS practices warrant review.
⚠Risky category by default
Aerie
String Triangle Bikini Top
nylon/polyester blend (standard swimwear)
Lower PFAS concern, untreated swimwear unlikely to require water-repellent coating chemicals.
⚠Risky category by default
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.