Helly Hansen · Waterproof Sports Gear
Helly Hansen Men's Holmen 5 Pocket Shorts
Water treatment likely applied; PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
Helly Hansen shorts likely feature water-repellent coating for water resistance, standard in outdoor apparel. Brand does not publicly disclose PFAS content or alternatives used.
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Material
Cotton/poly blend with water-repellent coating water 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
These shorts are a cotton-polyester blend treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings on textiles have historically relied on PFAS compounds, though some brands now use fluorine-free alternatives. The polyester component itself is generally stable in normal wear, but the water-repellent coating treatment is the chemical concern here. Helly Hansen has not publicly disclosed whether their water-repellent coating formulation is PFAS-based or fluorine-free, leaving the actual chemical composition uncertain.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen is a major outdoor apparel maker but maintains silence on PFAS use in their product lines. The company has not published a formal PFAS elimination commitment or ingredient transparency statements comparable to competitors like Patagonia or The North Face. No recalls or safety violations specific to this model are on record. Their lack of public disclosure is notable given the industry's shift toward transparency on fluorinated water treatments.
How it compares in its category
Cotton-poly blend shorts with water-repellent coating treatment are standard across the outdoor/workwear category. Many competitors (e.g., Patagonia, Arc'teryx) now explicitly use PFAS-free water-repellent coating or natural wax treatments. Helly Hansen's refusal to disclose places these shorts in a middle tier: not notably hazardous, but below brands with verified fluorine-free certifications. The cotton blend itself is lower risk than 100% synthetic options.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with mild detergent; water-repellent coating coatings degrade after repeated washing and eventually need re-application. Avoid dry cleaning or hot drying, which can damage the finish. Do not use fabric softeners. If environmental or health concerns about PFAS weigh heavily on your decision, contact the brand directly to request disclosure of their water-repellent coating chemistry before purchase, or consider an alternative with certified PFAS-free treatment.
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.”
Azo dyes
No documented cases of restricted azo dyes in Helly Hansen apparel. Standard textile dyes in outdoor shorts are typically regulated under EU and US standards, and no specific contamination has been reported for this brand.
Formaldehyde resins (fabric finishing)
Modern water-repellent coating treatments do not inherently introduce free formaldehyde. No formaldehyde-release concerns have been raised for Helly Hansen shorts. Cotton-poly blends treated for water resistance do not require formaldehyde cross-linking if fluorinated or fluorine-free polymeric coatings are used.
Antimony in polyester
Polyester typically contains trace antimony as a catalyst residue from synthesis. At the levels found in finished textiles, direct skin exposure to antimony from wearing shorts is considered low risk, but accumulation from washing runoff into waterways is an environmental concern not specific to this brand.
water-repellent coating degradation and microfiber shedding
All synthetic-based water-repellent coating-treated textiles shed microfibers during washing. The polymer coating fragments into the water system. This is an inherent category risk, not unique to Helly Hansen, but intensifies with repeated laundering and is not addressable by the consumer.
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.