Helly Hansen · Waterproof Sports Gear
Helly Hansen Men's Brono Shorts
water-repellent coating shorts with likely PFAS coating. No brand disclosure or testing available.
Helly Hansen Brono shorts use water-repellent coating finish typical of outdoor apparel, likely PFAS-based. Brand provides no transparency on PFAS content or safer alternatives.
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Material
Polyamide nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent 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
Helly Hansen Brono Shorts are polyamide (nylon) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Polyamide itself is a synthetic polymer with no established leaching risk under normal wear. However, the water-repellent coating is the chemical concern: most water-repellent coating finishes applied to textiles historically relied on long-chain PFAS compounds, though some brands have begun switching to shorter-chain alternatives. Helly Hansen has not publicly disclosed what chemistry is used on this specific product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen has not published a PFAS phase-out commitment or detailed chemical disclosure for apparel lines as of available records. The brand does not appear on major PFAS transparency initiatives (e.g., ZDHC Gateway) with verified testing data for finished goods. This silence is typical of outdoor/technical apparel brands that have not yet faced regulatory or market pressure to disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Without third-party certification or brand testing, the specific formulation of this product cannot be verified.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-to-premium outdoor shorts with water-repellent coating finishes carry the same undisclosed PFAS risk as this product. Brands like Patagonia and Arc'teryx have begun disclosing water-repellent coating chemistry or offering PFAS-free alternatives; Helly Hansen has not yet done so publicly. Budget-tier shorts often skip water-repellent coating entirely, eliminating this hazard class. This product sits in the middle: technically sound polyamide but chemically opaque.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other laundry on cold cycles to minimize potential migration of finish chemicals into the wash water and onto other garments. Avoid tumble drying on high heat, which can accelerate polymer degradation; air dry or low heat. Do not use fabric softeners or bleach, which can strip or degrade the water-repellent coating finish and release coatings prematurely. Replace after visible water beading loss (typically 50-100 washes) to avoid wearing a compromised product.
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.”
PFAS in water-repellent coating water-repellent coating
Polyamide outdoor shorts typically receive long-chain PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes as industry standard. Helly Hansen has not disclosed the chemistry of this product's coating, so long-chain PFAS presence cannot be ruled out. water-repellent coating finishes can release PFAS during washing and wear.
Formaldehyde in dyeing or finishing resins
Polyamide fabrics may be treated with formaldehyde-based dyes or fixing agents in finishing. No specific recalls or testing for formaldehyde in Helly Hansen Brono Shorts are on record. Standard polyamide apparel rarely triggers formaldehyde hazards under normal use.
Azo dyes
Helly Hansen's apparel lines are not known to use restricted azo dyes that cleave to form carcinogenic amines. The brand does not appear on lists of manufacturers with documented azo dye incidents. Polyamide can accept azo dyes safely if formulation complies with REACH or Oeko-Tex standards, which most outdoor brands follow.
Coating degradation and shedding
water-repellent coating coatings degrade with repeated washing and UV exposure. As the finish breaks down, wear particles may shed; composition depends on the polymer base of the finish. Microplastic shedding from degraded synthetic polymer coatings is a known concern with durably finished textiles.
Antimony in polyester (not applicable; polyamide product)
This product is polyamide, not polyester, so antimony catalyst residues are not a concern. Antimony is only relevant to polyester fibers.
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 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.