Helly Hansen · Waterproof Sports Gear
Helly Hansen Men's HH QD Shorts
Water-repellent shorts; PFAS risk unclear without water-repellent coating disclosure.
Helly Hansen QD shorts use water-repellent coating finish typical of performance shorts, but the brand does not disclose PFAS chemistry. Standard water-repellent coating treatments often contain PFAS; independent testing unavailable for this model.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester/nylon blend 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
These shorts are a polyester-nylon blend, common in performance apparel for durability and moisture-wicking. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is applied to the fabric surface to shed water; water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFAS chemistry, though some brands now use PFAS-free alternatives. Helly Hansen has not publicly disclosed which chemistry is used in this product, creating uncertainty around chemical exposure during wear and laundering.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen is a major outdoor apparel manufacturer but has not issued a clear public commitment to eliminate PFAS from all product lines, nor do they disclose water-repellent coating chemistry on retail product pages. The brand has not faced major documented recalls for textile hazards in recent years. Without transparent material sourcing statements, consumers cannot verify what water-repellent treatment is actually in use.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream athletic shorts use polyester or blends; performance brands vary widely in water-repellent coating transparency. Some competitors (notably Patagonia) explicitly market PFAS-free water repellency, while others remain silent. Helly Hansen's lack of disclosure puts these shorts in the middle of the transparency spectrum, neither leading nor lagging obviously compared to peers.
If you buy it
Wash before first wear to remove any loose finishing chemicals and manufacturing residues. Launder in cool to warm water with standard detergent; avoid excessive heat (tumble dry on low or air dry). Check for pilling or seam degradation after 20-30 washes; polyester-nylon blends are durable but water-repellent coating coatings degrade over time and launderings. If water-repellency is critical to your use, expect to refresh or replace the shorts within 2-3 years.
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-releasing resins in dyes or finishes
No specific recalls or reports link Helly Hansen HH QD shorts to formaldehyde exposure. Pre-laundering before wear minimizes residual risk from manufacturing finishes.
Azo dyes (certain colours)
Polyester shorts typically use modern azo dyes that meet EU and US safety standards. No known issues documented for this brand or product line.
Antimony in polyester
Polyester fabric may contain antimony trioxide as a catalyst remnant from production. Levels are generally below regulatory concern, but no product-specific testing data is publicly available for these shorts.
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication hazards
When water-repellent coating finishes wear off, consumers often reapply commercial water-repellent sprays, some of which contain PFAS or other VOCs. Long-term durability of the factory finish is unknown without Helly Hansen's material disclosure.
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.