New Balance · Waterproof Sports & Performance Undergarments
New Balance Men's Mesh Jersey Performance Wicking No Fly Boxer Briefs
Skip until New Balance discloses moisture-wicking treatment details.
Mesh boxer briefs with unspecified moisture-wicking coating; water-repellent coating treatments often contain PFAS. New Balance has not disclosed treatment chemistry or PFAS status for this product line.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester mesh with moisture-wicking 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
This product is polyester mesh with an applied moisture-wicking finish. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic polymer, but the applied finish (likely a coating or chemical treatment to repel moisture and manage sweat) is where risk concentrates. The mesh construction increases surface area exposed to skin and washing, which can accelerate any finish degradation. Moisture-wicking finishes are typically proprietary formulations that may include surfactants, resins, or other additives not always disclosed to consumers.
The brand's record and disclosure
New Balance does not publicly disclose the chemistry of its moisture-wicking treatments on performance apparel. The brand has no known major safety recalls or contamination scandals in athletic wear, but the lack of transparency about functional finishes is notable given industry-wide concerns about PFAS use in water-repellent and sweat-management coatings. Competitors (Patagonia, some Nike lines) have begun disclosing or phasing out PFAS-based finishes; New Balance has not made similar public commitments.
How it compares in its category
Performance boxer briefs in this price range typically use polyester with undisclosed finishes, so New Balance is not exceptional in this respect. Some premium brands now offer PFAS-free moisture-wicking alternatives using plant-based or fluorine-free coatings, though these cost more. Natural-fiber alternatives (merino wool, organic cotton blends) eliminate the finish chemistry question entirely but sacrifice some performance and durability. New Balance's approach is mainstream but increasingly outdated given available alternatives.
If you buy it
Wash in cool or warm water with standard detergent; avoid chlorine bleach and fabric softeners, which can degrade synthetic finishes and potentially mobilize residual chemicals. Do not dry-clean or expose to high heat (dryers should be low or air-dry preferred) to prevent coating degradation and off-gassing. Replace after visible seam breakdown, pilling, or loss of moisture-wicking performance (typically 1-2 years of regular use). If skin irritation develops after purchase, discontinue use and rinse thoroughly; this may indicate sensitivity to the finish or dyes.
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 in polyester fabric
Polyester apparel is routinely dyed with azo colorants; while EU and many reputable brands restrict carcinogenic azo dyes, New Balance does not publish dye compliance data. Risk is low but not documented as zero.
Formaldehyde-based resins in moisture-wicking finish
Some moisture-wicking coatings use formaldehyde-releasing resins for durability. New Balance does not disclose this detail, so residual formaldehyde contamination cannot be ruled out, particularly in new garments before first wash.
Finish degradation and off-gassing over time
All applied finishes degrade with washing and heat exposure. As the moisture-wicking treatment breaks down, microscopic particles or volatile compounds could be released; the absence of published finish chemistry means the composition of these degradation products is unknown.
Antimony in polyester polymer
Antimony trioxide is a catalyst used in polyester production and typically remains as trace residue. No recall or contamination data exists for New Balance apparel, and levels in modern polyester are generally considered safe by regulatory bodies, but independent testing is not publicly available.
Microplastic shedding from mesh
Polyester textiles shed microfibers during washing. Mesh construction with loose weave may shed more than tightly woven alternatives. This is a known category-wide issue, not specific to New Balance, but relevant to long-term environmental and potential inhalation exposure.
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 & Performance Undergarments
Reebok
Women's Air Tech Performance Brief Panties 6-Pack
nylon, spandex, cotton blend
Lower concern, no known PFAS triggers identified in basic apparel.
⚠Risky category by default
Reebok
Women's Seamless Hipster
nylon/elastane blend, seamless knit
Lower concern. Basic seamless intimate wear, no water-resistant coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Reebok
Men's Featherweight Performance Boxer Briefs
polyester and elastane blend
Lower PFAS concern; untreated synthetic fibers typical for boxer briefs.
⚠Risky category by default
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.