Asics · Waterproof Sports Gear
Asics Men's 7IN 2 In 1 Short
Skip until ASICS discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or provides test results.
Asics does not disclose PFAS use or testing for this athletic short. water-repellent coating coatings commonly contain PFAS; no public commitment or third-party verification available.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester/nylon blend with water-repellent coating finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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
This short is a polyester/nylon blend, both synthetic polymers chosen for durability, moisture-wicking, and stretch. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is a chemical coating applied to the fabric surface to shed water; this is where PFAS risk concentrates, since most major athletic water-repellent coating finishes still rely on fluorinated compounds. ASICS has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry is used on this model, making the specific fluorine content unknown.
The brand's record and disclosure
ASICS has not published a detailed PFAS phase-out timeline or independent test results for this product line. The company maintains general sustainability messaging but remains silent on water-repellent coating ingredient transparency and fluorinated chemistry alternatives. No major recalls or hazard alerts specific to ASICS athletic wear water-repellent coating coatings have been published by regulatory bodies, but absence of disclosure does not indicate absence of PFAS.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-market athletic shorts use similar polyester/nylon blends with water-repellent coating finishes, placing ASICS in the industry mainstream rather than as a leader or laggard. Brands like Patagonia and Fjallraven have begun disclosing fluorine-free water-repellent coating alternatives, making them easier to verify; ASICS transparency lags those peers. Budget athletic brands rarely disclose water-repellent coating chemistry at all, so ASICS is not uniquely opaque, but not best-in-class either.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water and air-dry to preserve the water-repellent coating finish and minimize leaching from the coating into wastewater. Avoid high-heat drying, which can degrade the finish and potentially release volatile compounds. Replace when the water-repellent effect visibly diminishes (typically 50-100 wash cycles), as degraded coatings may release micro-particles. Do not dry-clean, as solvents may strip or alter the finish chemistry.
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.”
Fluorinated water-repellent coating (PFAS) in water-repellent coating
Standard industry practice for athletic wear water-repellent coating; ASICS has not disclosed which fluorinated or fluorine-free chemistry is used on this model. Coating releases PFAS into wastewater during washing and may persist in the environment.
Azo dyes in polyester
No specific recall or hazard alert on record for ASICS polyester shorts. Standard polyester dyeing can include azo colorants, but reputable athletic brands typically screen for banned azo dyes; no evidence of noncompliance for this product.
Antimony in polyester resin
Polyester may contain antimony trioxide as a polymerization catalyst, but levels in finished apparel are generally very low and not recognized as a significant dermal or inhalation hazard in short-term wear. No alerts for ASICS polyester apparel.
Formaldehyde resins in dyes or finishes
ASICS athletic wear is unlikely to use formaldehyde-based wrinkle-resist or stiffening finishes typical of dress shirts. No published instances of formaldehyde issues in ASICS athletic shorts.
Coating degradation and microparticle release
As water-repellent coating finish wears (typically after 50-100 washes), coating flakes or breaks down; shed microparticles of the finish may enter wastewater. The longer-term environmental fate depends on whether the finish is fluorinated (persistent) or fluorine-free (biodegradable).
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 42% 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
Reebok
Men's Athlete Speed Shorts
Polyester mesh and nylon blend, standard athletic construction
Lower concern. Standard athletic shorts without water-resistant coating.
⚠Risky category by default
Patagonia
Men's Home Waters Hybrid Shorts
Polyester blend with PFAS-free water-repellent coating finish
Lower concern. Patagonia phased out PFAS-based water-repellent coating; verify current product line batch.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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.