New Balance · Waterproof Sports & Performance Undergarments
New Balance Men's Premium 3 Inch Trunk No Fly
Lower concern. Uncoated athletic trunk, no water-resistant coating typically applied.
Men's athletic trunk using standard nylon and polyester without water-resistant water-repellent coating treatment. No PFAS-associated coatings expected, though New Balance provides no public disclosure on PFAS policy for this product.
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Material
nylon mesh and polyester liner, no waterproofing treatment
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 trunk combines nylon mesh (likely 100% nylon) as the shell with a polyester liner, both common synthetic fibers in athletic wear. Neither material requires chemical water-repellency coatings, which eliminates the main vector for PFAS in performance apparel. Nylon itself can shed microfibers when worn and washed, and polyester similarly sheds; this is a category-wide concern unrelated to this specific product's construction.
The brand's record and disclosure
New Balance has not published specific material safety or PFAS reduction commitments as of recent public records, positioning the brand as neutral rather than proactive on chemical transparency. The company does not appear in major chemical-safety controversies specific to trunk or apparel lines. No recalls related to formaldehyde, azo dyes, or heavy metal finishes are documented for New Balance athletic wear in this segment.
How it compares in its category
Uncoated nylon-polyester trunks are a standard construction across mid-tier athletic brands (Nike, Adidas, Under Armour). This product avoids waterproofing chemistry, placing it at lower chemical risk than water-resistant or water-repellent coating-treated alternatives common in premium lines. The 3-inch inseam is conservative and typical for the category, with no unusual material density or finish complexity.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water and avoid high heat (dryer heat can degrade polyester and increase microfiber shedding). Do not bleach or use fabric softeners, which can weaken synthetic fibers and promote degradation. Replace once elasticity visibly fails or seams show stress; typical lifespan is 2-3 years with regular athletic use. Microfiber loss is inherent to synthetic apparel; mesh bags during wash reduce environmental shedding.
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
No formaldehyde-based finishing or wrinkle-resist treatments are standard in basic nylon-polyester trunks without special performance claims. New Balance does not advertise or document formaldehyde use in this product line.
Azo dyes
Polyester liners are typically dyed with azo colorants, which can release carcinogenic amines under certain conditions (sweat, friction, UV). This is a class-wide risk for colored athletic wear, not specific to New Balance, but not independently verified for this SKU.
Antimony in polyester
Polyester production may involve antimony as a catalyst. Levels in finished garments are generally low and not a primary migration route, but antimony contamination in raw fiber is a known industry concern unaddressed in New Balance's public materials.
Microfiber shedding
Nylon and polyester garments release microfibers during washing and wear. This is documented for the synthetic apparel category broadly; no brand-specific testing exists for this trunk, but the risk is inherent to the material composition.
Flame retardants
Athletic trunks are not subject to sleepwear or furniture flame-retardant regulations. No flame-retardant treatment is disclosed or typical for this product category.
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.