Adidas · Waterproof Sports Gear
adidas Men's Squadra 25 Soccer Shorts
Lower concern athletic shorts, typical uncoated polyester blend
Squadra 25 shorts are standard athletic polyester with no known water-repellent or stain-resistant finish. No PFAS disclosure from Adidas, but uncoated knit fabrics carry lower inherent risk than treated apparel.
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Material
polyester, likely uncoated knit athletic fabric
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Adidas Squadra 25 shorts are polyester knit, an uncoated woven or jersey athletic fabric. Polyester itself is chemically stable and does not leach monomers under normal wear conditions. The risk surface here is primarily in dyes, finishing treatments, and any antimony catalyst residue from polyester production, not the fiber itself.
The brand's record and disclosure
Adidas has published sustainability reports addressing chemical management in manufacturing but does not prominently disclose detailed dye or finishing chemical restrictions for mid-tier product lines like Squadra. The brand has faced historical scrutiny on factory labor and environmental discharge but no major recalls or documented chemical contamination in athletic apparel. No PFAS-specific statement is available for this line.
How it compares in its category
Polyester athletic shorts are the category standard; Squadra 25 is a basic recreational/training model, not performance-premium. Comparable competitors (Nike Dri-FIT, Puma, Umbro) use similar polyester constructions with equivalent finishing processes. This product sits at typical hazard level for the segment, with no special mitigants or known elevated risks versus peers.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water before first wear to reduce loose dye transfer and any residual finishing chemicals. Machine wash warm or cold for routine care; avoid bleach and high-heat drying, which can degrade polyester fibers and increase odor-causing bacterial colonization. Replace if seams fray extensively or elastic loses recovery, indicating fiber fatigue. No special chemical precautions needed beyond standard garment hygiene.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Azo dyes and color fastness
Polyester athletic shorts typically use azo dyes; Adidas does not disclose restricted azo subset for this line. Risk is low if dye-fixation is standard, but loose dye can transfer to skin or other garments in early washes.
Antimony catalyst residue in polyester
Polyester production often uses antimony trioxide as a catalyst. Final fabric antimony levels are typically below regulatory concern, but no product-specific testing or certificate of analysis is publicly available for Squadra 25.
Formaldehyde resins in finishes
Athletic polyester knit may receive wrinkle-resistance or shape-retention finishes that release formaldehyde. Adidas manufacturing standards likely keep levels low, but exact finish composition is not disclosed for this SKU.
Microplastic shedding during wash
Polyester knit sheds microfibers in laundering. This is an environmental concern rather than direct consumer hazard, but shed fibers can accumulate in home water systems. No evidence this product differs from standard polyester shedding profiles.
Flame retardant treatment
Athletic shorts are not subject to flame-retardant regulations and Adidas does not list added flame retardants for Squadra 25. This hazard class is not a concern for this product category.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Sports Gear
Patagonia
Men's 10" Quandary Shorts
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Lower concern. Patagonia uses PFC-free water-repellent coating; verify MADE SAFE label on tag.
✓Lab test found no PFAS
More waterproof sports gear 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.