Salomon · Sports Performance Undergarments
Salomon Aero Crew Socks
Base material lower concern, but water-repellent coating finish source unknown.
Salomon does not disclose PFAS treatment details for these socks. Merino wool is inherently lower risk, but water-resistant finish chemical identity is opaque.
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Material
Merino wool blend 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
Salomon Aero Crew Socks are a merino wool blend, meaning they combine natural wool fibers (typically 50-80% of the blend) with synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester for durability and moisture management. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is the chemical wildcard: this treatment repels moisture but is applied post-manufacture and its exact chemistry is not disclosed by Salomon in publicly available materials. Merino wool itself is low-hazard, but the synthetic blend components and finishing chemistry determine the overall safety profile.
The brand's record and disclosure
Salomon does not publicly disclose its textile chemical supply chain, treatment specifics, or certifications like Bluesign, GOTS, or OEKO-TEX for this product line. The brand has not made prominent public commitments to phasing PFAS or other restricted substances from apparel finishes, unlike some competitors. No major safety recalls or contamination findings for Salomon socks are on record, but the lack of transparency limits confidence in chemical safety assertions. Salomon is primarily known for outdoor gear and does not market these socks as chemically certified.
How it compares in its category
Performance merino socks from premium brands often use water-repellent coating finishes similar to Salomon's; many compete without disclosing the chemistry either. Higher-transparency competitors (e.g., some Darn Tough or Icebreaker lines) offer third-party testing or Bluesign certification, which reduces uncertainty. Salomon's lack of disclosure is not unusual for mainstream outdoor brands but falls short of best practices in the premium segment. Generic polyester or acrylic socks avoid water-repellent coating altogether but lose the moisture-regulating benefit of merino.
If you buy it
Wash in warm (not hot) water and air-dry to avoid degrading the water-repellent coating finish and synthetic components; tumble drying at high heat can accelerate polymer breakdown and off-gassing. Do not bleach or use harsh detergents, which can strip the finish and release trapped chemicals. Replace every 12-18 months or when elasticity fails to avoid wearing down fibers that may shed microplastics. Request Salomon's technical data sheet on the water-repellent coating chemistry if you have sensitivities; the lack of public data may mean it is proprietary but worth asking directly.
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 (water-repellent coating) finish chemical identity
Salomon does not publicly identify the water-repellent coating chemistry. Modern water-repellent coating finishes may contain PFAS alternatives (PFOx, GenX) or non-fluorinated polymers; the unknown source poses low-to-moderate concern depending on the actual formulation. Contact with skin during normal wear is minimal, but washing may release trace residues into wastewater.
Synthetic fiber blend (nylon/polyester) microplastic shedding
The non-merino portion of the blend will shed small fibers over time, especially with wear and washing. This is a known issue with all synthetic textiles but is manageable with lower washing frequency and air-drying rather than machine drying.
Formaldehyde-based resin finishes in synthetic components
No public record of formaldehyde issues in Salomon socks. However, nylon and polyester blends may be treated with formaldehyde-releasing resins for wrinkle resistance or durability during manufacture; Salomon's silence on this leaves it unconfirmed rather than ruled out.
Azo dyes in yarn coloring
Merino and synthetic fibers are often dyed with azo dyes, which can break down into carcinogenic amines under certain conditions (friction, sweat, UV). Salomon does not certify against restricted azo dyes; no incidents are recorded, but the absence of certification is notable.
Elastic and elastic binding irritation or degradation
The elastic cuff and arch support in crew socks typically use spandex or rubber. No specific hazards are known for Salomon's formulation, but lower-quality elastic can degrade faster and lose support, signaling replacement need within 1-2 seasons.
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.
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More 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.