Brooks · Waterproof Sports & Performance Undergarments
Brooks Women's PR Elite Bra
Lower concern. Sports bra with no reported PFAS-treated finishes.
Brooks PR Elite Bra is a stretch athletic undergarment using standard nylon and spandex without disclosed water-repellent coating or stain treatments. No brand PFAS communication detected, though high-performance athletic bras sometimes receive water-resistant finishes.
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Material
Nylon, spandex blend with mesh
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
The PR Elite is a nylon and spandex blend with mesh panels, a common construction for athletic support garments. Nylon is a synthetic polyamide that does not leach monomers into skin under normal wear conditions, and spandex (polyurethane) is chemically stable when not exposed to prolonged heat or solvents. The mesh likely uses the same fiber blend rather than separate coatings, reducing the number of chemical finishes involved. This material combination is considered low-risk for dermal absorption or leaching during typical athletic use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Brooks, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, does not publicly disclose detailed chemical inventories or certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign) for apparel lines as standard practice. The company has not faced major documented recalls or toxicology controversies specific to their bras. Their PFAS stance remains silent, meaning no public commitment to PFAS-free manufacturing, though this product line shows no reported water-repellent or stain-resistant finishes that would typically require PFAS treatment.
How it compares in its category
Sports bras in this price and performance tier typically use identical nylon-spandex blends without specialty coatings. The PR Elite sits in the mid-range segment where synthetic blends are standard and chemical treatment is minimal. Brands offering higher transparency (such as those with OEKO-TEX certification) exist but at higher cost; budget alternatives may use lower-grade elastane or undisclosed finishes, making this a reasonable middle ground for material predictability.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with mild detergent and avoid fabric softeners, which can degrade spandex elasticity over time. Do not bleach, dry-clean, or tumble-dry, as heat above 140F accelerates polyurethane breakdown. Replace the bra when elastic visibly loses tension or no longer provides support, typically within 1 to 2 years of regular use. Store flat or rolled to prevent permanent stretching and allow to air-dry completely to prevent mildew in the mesh.
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.”
Formaldehyde resins (dyes and finishes)
No formaldehyde-releasing dyes or anti-wrinkle resins are standard in athletic mesh construction. Brooks has not disclosed use of these finishes for this product, and typical sports bra dyeing does not require formaldehyde chemistry.
Azo dyes and heavy metal pigments
Nylon accepts acid dyes in standard textile mills; most suppliers comply with REACH restrictions on restricted azo compounds, but Brooks does not publish dye-class specifications. Risk is low under normal dermal contact but higher if dye transfers to skin through sweat on first wear.
Antimony in polyester fibers
This product uses nylon and spandex, not polyester, so antimony catalysts are not relevant. No hazard applies to this material combination.
Flame retardants
Athletic bras are not subject to flammability standards that trigger flame-retardant application. No finish or additive for flame resistance is expected in this product category.
Spandex/polyurethane degradation and microfiber shedding
Nylon-spandex blends shed microfibers, particularly during wash cycles. Spandex degrades faster under UV light, heat, and chlorine; regular laundering in cool water minimizes this. Microfiber release from textiles enters waterways but dermal absorption during wear is not established as a health route.
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.
More waterproof sports & performance undergarments 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.