Lululemon · Waterproof Sports Gear
lululemon Mile Maker Shorts | Men's Ripstop Lined Short 6" | Size XS
Lower concern base fabric, but water-repellent coating finish composition undisclosed by brand.
Lululemon does not disclose PFAS or water-repellent coating chemistry for this shorts line. Ripstop nylon itself is lower risk, but water-repellent treatment commonly uses PFAS unless specified otherwise.
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Material
Nylon ripstop 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 constructed from nylon ripstop, a lightweight synthetic fabric woven with reinforcing yarns to resist tearing, plus an undisclosed water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Nylon itself is chemically stable and does not leach problematic substances under normal wear. However, the water-repellent coating's exact chemistry is not disclosed by Lululemon, which is the material of concern here since water repellents historically have relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS).
The brand's record and disclosure
Lululemon has not publicly committed to PFAS-free water-repellent coating formulations or disclosed which water-repellent chemistries are used in their products. The company maintains general sustainability messaging but does not provide material safety data sheets or third-party certifications for chemical content in technical fabrics. This lack of transparency is not unusual in athletic apparel, but it prevents buyers from verifying safer alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Premium athletic shorts in this category typically use nylon with water-repellent coating finishes; the material itself is standard and poses no elevated risk versus competitors. However, brands like Patagonia and some REI-house brands have begun disclosing fluorinated-free or PFOA-free water-repellent coating, setting a higher transparency bar that Lululemon has not matched. Price point does not correlate with safer chemistry disclosure here.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water with mild detergent and avoid fabric softeners, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially release finish particles. Do not dry clean or expose to high heat (dryer on high). Expect the water-repellent finish to diminish over 50-100 washes; reapplication products exist but vary in composition. If water-repellent coating loss bothers you, consider this a finite-lifespan item or investigate Lululemon's own refresh options.
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 public reports of banned azo dyes in Lululemon athletic fabrics. The brand sources from certified mills but does not explicitly advertise azo-dye testing.
Formaldehyde resins (fabric finish)
Nylon ripstop fabrics may use formaldehyde-based resins in weave stabilization or anti-shrink treatments. Lululemon does not disclose this; modern mills increasingly use non-formaldehyde alternatives, but no independent verification is available for this specific product line.
Heavy metal dyes or pigments
No specific recalls or reports of heavy metal content in Lululemon shorts. The brand's supply chain is audited but opacity on dye chemistry remains.
water-repellent coating finish composition and leaching
The undisclosed water-repellent finish may contain legacy or newer PFAS-class compounds; leaching risk is low under normal wear but increases with washing. Lululemon's silence on this chemistry is the primary uncertainty.
Antimony in polyester
This product is nylon, not polyester; antimony catalysts are not relevant here.
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.