New Balance · Waterproof Sports & Performance Undergarments
New Balance Men's Mesh 5 No Fly Boxer Brief
Lower concern. Basic mesh brief with no water-resistant coatings.
Mesh boxer brief made from standard polyester and elastane without water-resistant or stain-resistant finishes. No PFAS treatment expected, though New Balance provides no explicit disclosure.
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Material
Mesh polyester, elastane blend
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
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
This brief is constructed from a polyester-elastane blend in a mesh weave, typical of moisture-wicking athletic underwear. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic polymer with low leaching risk under normal wear and washing. The elastane (spandex) component provides stretch and recovery. The absence of water-resistant coatings or special finishes means no Teflon-family coating or silicone-based treatments are present, which eliminates a common source of chemical concern in performance apparel.
The brand's record and disclosure
New Balance has not made public commitments on restricted substance lists or PFAS phase-out policies specific to underwear lines, and company disclosure on formaldehyde resins or azo dyes in basic mesh products is limited. The brand does participate in industry-standard testing for apparel but does not highlight results for this product category. No recalls or safety warnings are on record for this brief model.
How it compares in its category
Basic mesh briefs across brands (Nike, Under Armour, Adidas) share similar polyester-elastane construction and carry comparable low-risk profiles. This product is unremarkable in hazard profile for its category; the main differentiator is price and fit, not chemical safety. Premium performance briefs with antimicrobial or moisture-management coatings introduce additional chemical processing and higher hazard concern.
If you buy it
Wash in cold or warm water and dry on low heat or air-dry; high heat (above 140°F) can degrade elastane fibers and increase microfiber shedding. Replace when elastic loses recovery (typically 1-2 years of regular use). Avoid chlorine bleach, which can weaken polyester and elastane. No special precautions needed beyond standard textile care; this is a straightforward commodity underwear product.
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 resins (durable-press or shrink-resist finishes)
No formaldehyde-releasing resin treatments are standard in basic mesh briefs. This product shows no evidence of special wrinkle-resistance or shrink-lock finishing that would require such chemistry.
Azo dyes (allergenic colorants)
Black or dark mesh briefs may use azo dyes; these are banned in some countries but allowed in the US. New Balance does not disclose colorant source for this product. Risk of allergic contact dermatitis is low but not zero for sensitive individuals.
Antimony (polyester catalyst residue)
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester synthesis and small residues may remain. Dermal contact risk is considered very low; ingestion is not a route for worn apparel. New Balance does not report antimony testing or limits for this brief.
Microfiber shedding (synthetic fiber release during wear and wash)
All polyester-elastane blends shed microfibers over time, especially with heat and agitation. Extent varies with weave density and elastane percentage. This mesh construction likely sheds more than knit alternatives due to lower density, but shedding is normal for the category and not brand-specific.
Allergenic fragrance or residual dyes from dyeing process
New Balance does not add fragrances to this product. Residual dye or processing chemical sensitization is rare but possible in dyed textiles; no specific incidents are on record for this brief model.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.
More waterproof sports & performance undergarments 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.