Fossil · Waterproof Fitness Trackers
Fossil Men's Barstow Smartwatch
Smartwatch water-resistance likely uses water-repellent coating; Fossil discloses nothing about PFAS.
Fossil's Barstow smartwatch likely contains water-repellent treatment on its band and seals, a common PFAS application. Fossil provides no public disclosure about PFAS avoidance or use; no third-party testing data available.
The safe swap
Withings
Withings BeamO 3-in-1 Health MultiScan
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its A.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Stainless steel case, glass/resin band, waterproof treatment
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
other 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 Barstow uses a stainless steel case, which is chemically inert and does not leach metals into skin or food under normal wear. The band is resin (synthetic polymer), not silicone, meaning it avoids some plasticizer concerns but may still contain trace phthalates or BPA depending on the specific resin formulation. The waterproof treatment applied to protect electronics is the main chemical unknown; such coatings often contain PFAS to repel water, but Fossil provides no technical specification or third-party certification of composition.
The brand's record and disclosure
Fossil Group does not publicly commit to PFAS phase-out or provide chemical ingredient disclosures for smartwatches, unlike some competitors (e.g., some brands publish Material Health Declarations). The company has no known recalls specific to chemical hazards in wearables. Fossil's broader sustainability reporting does not address waterproofing chemistry, which limits consumer ability to assess long-term exposure risk.
How it compares in its category
Most smartwatches at this price point use similar stainless steel cases and synthetic bands with undisclosed water-resistant coatings; Fossil is not an outlier in transparency. Higher-end alternatives (e.g., some luxury brands) sometimes specify coating materials; budget alternatives often use cheaper alloys that carry nickel or cadmium leaching risk. The Barstow's stainless steel construction actually places it in the safer tier for material composition alone.
If you buy it
Wear the watch normally on skin without concern for stainless steel; nickel content is unlikely to trigger dermatitis in non-sensitized users. Avoid prolonged submersion beyond the stated waterproof rating to reduce pressure on seals and coatings. Replace the resin band if it shows cracks or discoloration, as degraded polymer may shed particles. Clean the band occasionally with mild soap and water, drying thoroughly to slow any coating wear.
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.”
Water-resistant coating composition (likely PFAS)
Smartwatch waterproofing almost universally uses water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings; PFAS is the standard chemistry for this application. Fossil's lack of disclosure prevents confirmation, but absence of alternative technology claims suggests conventional PFAS-based treatment.
Nickel leaching from stainless steel
Stainless steel grade (304, 316) is not disclosed. 304 may release small amounts of nickel under prolonged moisture exposure on sensitized skin, but clinical risk is low for the general population and no recalls exist for this model.
Phthalates or BPA in resin band
Resin formulation is proprietary and unspecified. Modern resin bands often use BPA-free plastics, but phthalate plasticizers or other processing chemicals may be present. Direct skin contact over hours daily creates minor exposure potential, though systemic risk from a wearable is low.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Water-resistant coatings wear over years of use. As the water-repellent coating layer degrades, small particles may shed into the user's sweat or contact skin. No specific durability testing is published for this model; typical lifecycle is 2-3 years before recoating becomes advisable.
Battery chemical exposure (internal only)
The sealed lithium-ion battery poses no direct chemical hazard to the user unless the casing is breached. No recalls or known leakage events are on record for Fossil smartwatches.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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 Fitness Trackers
Withings
BeamO 3-in-1 Health MultiScan
Medical-grade stainless steel, plastic housing, medical sensors
Medical device with inherently low PFAS risk profile.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
Whoop
Peak Health and Fitness Wearable 12-Month Membership
silicone band, electronics, stainless steel hardware
Wearable membership with minimal PFAS risk indicators.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Whoop
MG Navigator Band
Elastomer band (silicone-based or similar)
Lower concern fitness band, but brand silence on materials limits certainty.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof fitness trackers 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.