Helly Hansen · Waterproof Sports Gear
Helly Hansen Men's Calshot Trunk
Skip until Helly Hansen discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
Helly Hansen swim trunks use water-resistant treatment, likely water-repellent coating-coated. Brand provides no PFAS transparency or certifications, making safer alternatives preferable.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester/nylon swim trunk with water-repellent coating 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
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 Calshot Trunk combines polyester with nylon in a blend designed for durability and quick-dry performance in water. The critical unknown is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the fabric. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFAS-based chemistry (perfluorocarbons); modern alternatives exist but Helly Hansen has not publicly disclosed which type is used on this model. The polyester and nylon base materials themselves are stable and pose minimal leaching risk during normal wear.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen, a subsidiary of Wolverine Worldwide, has not publicly committed to PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatments across its product line or released detailed chemistry disclosures for specific garments. The brand has faced no major recalls or public health violations related to textiles in recent records, but transparency on water-repellent coatings remains absent. Without certification (e.g., OEKO-TEX, bluesign, or explicit PFAS-free declaration), the water-repellent coating chemistry cannot be verified as safe.
How it compares in its category
Swim trunks in this price and performance tier commonly use water-repellent coating treatments, making this product typical rather than exceptional in risk profile. Premium alternatives from brands like Patagonia and The North Face increasingly disclose PFAS-free or PFC-free water resistance. Budget options often skip water-repellent coating entirely, eliminating that uncertainty but sacrificing water repellency. Helly Hansen's silent stance places it in an middle-ground category where risk is present but not quantified.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water and air dry to avoid accelerating any coating degradation. Do not bleach or use high heat, as this can degrade the polyester and potentially compromise the water-repellent coating finish integrity. These trunks are designed for intermittent swim use, not daily wear; rotate with other swimwear to extend life. Before purchase, contact Helly Hansen directly to request water-repellent coating chemistry documentation; lack of response reinforces the disclosure gap.
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)
Helly Hansen has not disclosed whether the Calshot Trunk uses PFAS-based or alternative water-repellent coating chemistry. Historically, most polyester swim trunks with water repellency relied on perfluorocarbon coatings; modern non-PFAS options are available but rarely specified by mid-market brands without explicit certification.
Azo dyes in polyester/nylon
No recalls or reports of banned azo dyes in Helly Hansen swim products. Polyester can be dyed with azo compounds, but reputable brands avoid those linked to carcinogenic breakdown products. Helly Hansen's scale and EU market presence suggest compliance with azo restrictions, though independent testing is not publicly available.
Formaldehyde in fabric finishes
Formaldehyde resins are used in wrinkle-resistant and shape-retention finishes, but swim trunks typically do not require these treatments. The water-repellent coating is the primary finish concern; formaldehyde risk in this product is low unless non-standard fabric treatment is applied.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst in polyester manufacturing and trace levels may remain in finished fabric. No health concern is established for dermal exposure during normal wear, and Helly Hansen products are not known to exceed trace contamination levels documented in industry testing.
Microplastics shedding from synthetic fibers
Polyester and nylon shed microfibers during washing, contributing to marine microplastic pollution. This is an environmental rather than direct consumer health hazard but is relevant when considering product lifecycle impact, especially for a water-use garment.
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.