Sports Performance Undergarments, ranked by PFAS safety

45 products graded A to F, safest first. None have earned a C or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.

Graded and flagged D and F, we’d swap these

Feetures High Performance Cushion No Show Tab

Feetures

High Performance Cushion No Show Tab

Acrylic blend sock with no disclosed treatments

D
D · Elevated

Lower concern; no water-repellent coating treatment disclosed for socks.

Risky category by default

Feetures Elite Light Cushion Tab Limited Edition Performance Socks

Feetures

Elite Light Cushion Tab Limited Edition Performance Socks

Merino wool blend, nylon, elastane

D
D · Elevated

Lower concern. Merino wool socks unlikely to contain PFAS, but brand offers no transparency.

Risky category by default

Feetures High Performance Max Cushion Tab Socks

Feetures

High Performance Max Cushion Tab Socks

Merino wool blend, synthetic fibers

D
D · Elevated

Lower concern socks; no PFAS-prone features identified.

Risky category by default

Smartwool Men's Run Targeted Cushion Mid Crew Socks

Smartwool

Men's Run Targeted Cushion Mid Crew Socks

Merino wool blend with synthetic nylon reinforcement

D
D · Elevated

Lower concern. Natural fiber socks unlikely to contain PFAS.

Risky category by default

Smartwool Run Pattern Crew Socks 3-Pack

Smartwool

Run Pattern Crew Socks 3-Pack

Merino wool blend, no water repellent finish

D
D · Elevated

Lower concern. Merino wool socks with no waterproof coating.

Risky category by default

Smartwool Women's Run Targeted Cushion Low Ankle Socks

Smartwool

Women's Run Targeted Cushion Low Ankle Socks

Merino wool blend, no specified water-repellent coating treatment

D
D · Elevated

Lower concern. Merino wool socks without disclosed water repellent treatment.

Risky category by default

Smartwool Unisex Run Zero Cushion Crew Socks

Smartwool

Unisex Run Zero Cushion Crew Socks

Merino wool blend, no stated water-repellent treatment

D
D · Elevated

Lower concern. Merino wool socks lack typical water-repellent coating coatings.

Risky category by default

Smartwool Men's Run Zero Cushion No Show Socks

Smartwool

Men's Run Zero Cushion No Show Socks

Merino wool blend, no reported water-resistant treatment

D
D · Elevated

Lower concern. Merino wool socks unlikely to contain intentional PFAS.

Risky category by default

PUMA Men's 6 Pack 1/2 Terry Socks

Puma

Men's 6 Pack 1/2 Terry Socks

Cotton blend terry cloth

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated2 flags

Lower concern. Basic socks with no known PFAS-prone treatments.

Risky category by default

PUMA Men's DryCell Crew Socks (8 Pair)

Puma

Men's DryCell Crew Socks (8 Pair)

Cotton/polyester blend, DryCell moisture-wicking treatment

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern socks. No known PFAS risk in standard construction.

Risky category by default

PUMA Women's Quarter Crew Socks (6 Pairs)

Puma

Women's Quarter Crew Socks (6 Pairs)

Cotton/polyester blend socks, no waterproofing

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower PFAS concern; basic untreated socks without water resistance.

Risky category by default

PUMA Men's Dry Cell Moisture Wicking Socks

Puma

Men's Dry Cell Moisture Wicking Socks

polyester and elastane blend, moisture-wicking synthetic fibers

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower PFAS concern, but brand silent on water-repellent coating treatment used.

Risky category by default

PUMA Men's Half-Terry Crew Socks (3 Pairs)

Puma

Men's Half-Terry Crew Socks (3 Pairs)

Cotton/polyester blend, half-terry construction

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated4 flags

Lower concern. Basic socks unlikely to contain PFAS.

Risky category by default

Salomon Everyday Crew 3-Pack Socks

Salomon

Everyday Crew 3-Pack Socks

cotton blend (primary), elastane

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated2 flags

Lower concern. Basic socks without water-resistant finish.

Risky category by default

Salomon Pulse Race Flag Crew Socks

Salomon

Pulse Race Flag Crew Socks

Polyester, nylon, elastane blend

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern. Standard athletic socks lack typical PFAS-trigger features.

Risky category by default

Wigwam 625 Wool Sock

Wigwam

625 Wool Sock

merino wool blend

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower PFAS concern, wool sock without water treatment.

Risky category by default

Wigwam Ultra Cool Lite Low Socks

Wigwam

Ultra Cool Lite Low Socks

Cotton blend, no reported treatment

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern baseline socks, no water-repellent coating treatment evident.

Risky category by default

Wigwam Men's Cool Lite Pro Low Cut Socks

Wigwam

Men's Cool Lite Pro Low Cut Socks

Acrylic/nylon blend, no known PFAS treatment

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated

Lower concern. Basic athletic socks with no known PFAS treatments.

Risky category by default

Wigwam Women's Mt. Whitney NXT Socks

Wigwam

Women's Mt. Whitney NXT Socks

Merino wool and nylon blend

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated2 flags

Lower concern; wool-based sock without waterproof treatment.

Risky category by default

Wigwam Ultra Cool Lite Quarter Socks

Wigwam

Ultra Cool Lite Quarter Socks

Cotton, nylon, elastic blend

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern. Uncoated athletic socks without water-resistant finish.

Risky category by default

PUMA Men's Half-Terry Quarter-Length Crew Socks (6 Pairs)

Puma

Men's Half-Terry Quarter-Length Crew Socks (6 Pairs)

Cotton blend, half-terry construction

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower PFAS concern; plain socks unlikely to contain PFAS.

Risky category by default

PUMA Men's Low-Cut Socks (6 Pairs)

Puma

Men's Low-Cut Socks (6 Pairs)

cotton blend fabric, no water repellent treatment

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated4 flags

Lower concern. Standard socks with no water repellent treatment.

Risky category by default

Wigwam Ultra Cool Lite Quarter Socks 3-Pack

Wigwam

Ultra Cool Lite Quarter Socks 3-Pack

Cotton-blend athletic quarter socks, no described coating

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated4 flags

Lower concern. Bare textile socks unlikely to contain PFAS.

Risky category by default

Wigwam Women's Cool-Lite Low-Cut Crew Cut Socks

Wigwam

Women's Cool-Lite Low-Cut Crew Cut Socks

Cotton/polyester blend, no water-resistant treatment

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern; basic crew socks without water-resistant finish.

Risky category by default

Wigwam Ridge Mid-Crew Lightweight Socks

Wigwam

Ridge Mid-Crew Lightweight Socks

Merino wool blend, standard textile construction

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern. Standard wool sock with no known PFAS treatment.

Risky category by default

New Balance Pro Run Crew Socks

New Balance

Pro Run Crew Socks

polyester, nylon, elastane blend

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated2 flags

Lower concern for typical crew socks; no waterproofing expected.

Risky category by default

New Balance Unisex Coolmax Crew Socks 2 Pack

New Balance

Unisex Coolmax Crew Socks 2 Pack

Cotton blend with Coolmax polyester

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated4 flags

Lower concern. Basic crew socks with no water-resistant or stain-resistant treatment.

Risky category by default

New Balance Active Crew Socks 6 Pack

New Balance

Active Crew Socks 6 Pack

Cotton blend athletic socks, no specified coating

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated2 flags

Lower PFAS concern. Cotton-based socks with no water-repellent coating treatment typical.

Risky category by default

New Balance Men's Cushioned Low Cut Moisture Wicking Socks

New Balance

Men's Cushioned Low Cut Moisture Wicking Socks

Cotton blend with synthetic moisture-wicking fibers, no stated water-resistant treatment

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern; no water-repellent coating treatment typical for low-cut cushioned socks.

Risky category by default

New Balance Women's Cushioned Ankle Socks

New Balance

Women's Cushioned Ankle Socks

Cotton/synthetic blend, standard construction

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern, standard socks without water treatment.

Risky category by default

New Balance Unisex Active Crew Socks

New Balance

Unisex Active Crew Socks

Cotton blend athletic socks

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated4 flags

Lower concern; basic socks lack typical PFAS triggers.

Risky category by default

New Balance Cushion Quarter Socks

New Balance

Cushion Quarter Socks

Cotton blend, cushioned sole (polyester/rubber)

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated4 flags

Lower concern. Cotton-based socks rarely treated with PFAS.

Risky category by default

New Balance Active Quarter Socks 6 Pack

New Balance

Active Quarter Socks 6 Pack

Cotton blend athletic socks, no coating mentioned

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern. Basic athletic socks with no known PFAS treatments.

Risky category by default

Injinji Trail Midweight Crew

Injinji

Trail Midweight Crew

merino wool blend, no water treatment specified

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern; untreated merino wool socks unlikely to contain PFAS.

Risky category by default

Injinji Run Original Weight Mini Crew

Injinji

Run Original Weight Mini Crew

merino wool blend with nylon

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated2 flags

Lower PFAS concern; no water-repellent coating treatment typical for this style.

Risky category by default

Injinji Ultra Run Mini Crew

Injinji

Ultra Run Mini Crew

Merino wool blend, nylon, likely no water repellent treatment

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated5 flags

Lower concern. Merino wool socks with no known water-repellent coating finish.

Risky category by default

Injinji Run Original Weight No Show

Injinji

Run Original Weight No Show

merino wool blend with nylon

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated3 flags

Lower concern. Merino blend, no known PFAS treatments.

Risky category by default

Injinji Snow Crew Shadow Toesocks

Injinji

Snow Crew Shadow Toesocks

nylon/polyamide blend with elastane

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated2 flags

Lower concern. No water-repellent coating treatment typical for toe socks.

Risky category by default

Injinji Midweight Mini-Crew Unisex Football Socks

Injinji

Midweight Mini-Crew Unisex Football Socks

nylon/polyester blend, no reported surface treatment

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated2 flags

Lower concern. No waterproof or stain treatments typical of PFAS socks.

Risky category by default

Feetures High Performance Ultra Light No-Show Tab

Feetures

High Performance Ultra Light No-Show Tab

Nylon blend with moisture-wicking treatment

F
F · High PFAS

Moisture-wicking socks likely treated; brand silent on PFAS

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Smartwool Men's Run Cold Weather Targeted Cushion Crew Socks

Smartwool

Men's Run Cold Weather Targeted Cushion Crew Socks

Merino wool with water-repellent coating finish

F
F · High PFAS

Merino wool is PFAS-risk material; water-repellent coating finish raises concern.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Puma Men's Dry Cell Athletic Crew Socks Moisture Wicking, 8-pack, Size

Puma

Men's Dry Cell Athletic Crew Socks Moisture Wicking, 8-pack, Size

Polyester blend with moisture-wicking treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Standard athletic socks, likely lower concern, but moisture-wicking finish unspecified.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Salomon Quest Forces Knee Socks with Moisture-Wicking Merino

Salomon

Quest Forces Knee Socks with Moisture-Wicking Merino

Merino wool with moisture-wicking treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS1 flag

Merino wool is lower concern; water-repellent coating treatment details unknown.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Salomon Men's Aero Ankle 2-Pack

Salomon

Men's Aero Ankle 2-Pack

Merino wool blend with moisture-wicking treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Merino socks likely treated for moisture management; PFAS status unclear.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Salomon Aero Crew Socks

Salomon

Aero Crew Socks

Merino wool blend with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Base material lower concern, but water-repellent coating finish source unknown.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

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