Helly Hansen · Waterproof Sports Gear
Helly Hansen Men's HP Foil 2.0 Shorts
Skip or contact brand for water-repellent coating chemistry confirmation before buying.
Helly Hansen shorts use typical synthetic fabric with water-repellent coating finish. Brand does not disclose PFAS status or treatment chemistry; water-repellent coating coatings often contain PFAS.
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Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating (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 HP Foil 2.0 shorts are constructed from nylon with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS), though some manufacturers have shifted to fluorine-free alternatives without public disclosure. Nylon itself is stable and does not leach monomers into skin during normal wear, but the chemical treatment applied to achieve water repellency is the primary unknown variable in this product's safety profile.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen has not made a public commitment to PFAS-free water-repellent coating chemistry or published testing results for this specific product line. The brand remains largely silent on fluorinated compound use in their water-repellent apparel, which is a notable gap given industry movement toward disclosure (e.g., some competitors voluntarily report water-repellent coating chemistry). No established recalls or documented contamination events exist for this model, but lack of transparency makes independent safety verification difficult.
How it compares in its category
Nylon athletic shorts with water-repellent coating finishes are standard in outdoor and water-sports apparel. Many competitors (including some Patagonia and Arcteryx products) have begun labeling fluorine-free water-repellent coating options, making Helly Hansen's silence more conspicuous. For a premium brand at this price point, disclosure of water-repellent coating type is becoming a baseline consumer expectation rather than an advantage.
If you buy it
Wear and launder normally; nylon does not degrade into hazardous microplastics under typical care. Avoid high heat (dryers over 60 C, which can degrade the water-repellent coating without creating acute toxicity risk). Wash separately or with similar colors to minimize dye bleed risk, though Helly Hansen products generally do not use problematic azo dyes. Replace when elastic or seams fail, not based on chemical degradation.
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-repellent coating treatment composition (non-PFAS assessment)
Even if the treatment is fluorine-free, some non-fluorinated water repellents carry minor dermal irritation or off-gassing risk during manufacturing. No specific incidents reported for Helly Hansen shorts, but unknown water-repellent coating chemistry prevents confident hazard exclusion.
Azo dyes in colored fabric
Helly Hansen maintains routine testing for restricted azo dyes in apparel; no recalls or violations on record for this brand. Standard nylon athletic shorts do not typically employ problematic azo compounds if produced under brand-level quality control.
Formaldehyde resins in dyes or finishes
Nylon apparel may incorporate trace formaldehyde in resin treatments, but established brands test for and limit to safe levels. No evidence of excessive formaldehyde in Helly Hansen products; standard laundry before wear minimizes any residual exposure.
Antimony in polyester
This product is nylon-based, not polyester, so antimony catalysts used in polyester synthesis are not relevant. Nylon does not use antimony as a processing agent.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fiber
All nylon garments shed microplastics during washing; the HP Foil 2.0 will contribute to aquatic microplastic load over its lifetime. This is inherent to synthetic textiles and not specific to Helly Hansen, but worth accounting for if microplastic reduction is a priority.
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.