Speedo · Waterproof Sports Gear
Speedo Men's Print Lookout Volley 16" Water Shorts
Moderate concern; typical swim shorts use water-repellent coating coatings with unknown PFAS status.
Speedo does not disclose PFAS or water-repellent coating chemistry for this product. Swim shorts commonly receive water-repellent coating treatments that may contain PFAS, though specifics are unavailable here.
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Material
Polyester with water-resistant coating/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
Speedo's Lookout Volley shorts are polyester with a water-resistant (water-repellent coating) finish applied to repel water. Polyester itself is stable and low-risk, but the water-repellent coating, typically fluorocarbon-based in this product category, is where PFAS exposure potential lives. The coating degrades with washing and wear, meaning repeated contact may leach residues. Speedo does not publicly disclose the specific water-repellent coating chemistry used on this model.
The brand's record and disclosure
Speedo has not made public commitments to PFAS-free water-resistant treatments and does not disclose coating chemistry on product labels or websites. The brand has faced no documented recalls or health controversies specific to this line. Speedo is owned by Pentland Group (also owns Speedo via subsidiary); neither parent nor subsidiary has published a PFAS reduction roadmap as of available records.
How it compares in its category
Most major swim-shorts brands (Speedo, O'Neill, Billabong, Rip Curl) use water-repellent coating coatings with unspecified PFAS content. A small number of brands (e.g., Patagonia) have transitioned to PFAS-free durable water repellency or eliminated it entirely. Speedo's silence places it in the mainstream middle: widely available, performance-oriented, but offering no transparency advantage over competitors.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water and avoid high heat (which can accelerate coating breakdown and potential leaching). Air dry rather than machine dry. water-repellent coating coatings typically last 20-40 washes; if water no longer beads on fabric, the coating is largely gone and leaching risk drops. Replace every 2-3 seasons depending on use frequency. Do not use fabric softeners or bleach, which compromise the finish.
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 documented azo-dye contamination reported in Speedo's polyester textiles. Standard polyester dyeing typically uses disperse dyes, which are not restricted azo compounds, but no third-party audit data is publicly available for this specific model.
Formaldehyde resins in synthetic fibers
Polyester does not require formaldehyde finishes for structure; water-repellent coating coatings are the primary finish concern here, not formaldehyde. No formaldehyde-release issues have been reported for Speedo polyester shorts.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is a common catalyst in polyester production. Speedo does not disclose antimony content or use of antimony-free processes. Residual antimony leaching from polyester is generally considered low-risk in skin contact, but formal testing data for this product is not available.
water-repellent coating degradation and leaching
Fluorocarbon water-repellent coating coatings (likely used here) are known to degrade with washing and shed microparticles and residues into wash water. The specific PFAS profile of Speedo's coating is undisclosed, making quantification of leaching risk impossible without manufacturer data.
Flame retardants
Swimwear is not subject to flame-retardant regulations or treatment. No flame-retardant additives are expected in this product category.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 42% 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.