Spiderwire · Fishing Line & Fishing Tackle
Berkley Spiderwire Stealth Braided Superline
Skip until coating composition is disclosed by manufacturer.
Braided fishing line with unknown coating or finish; no PFAS disclosure from Spiderwire. Coating composition unclear, raising uncertainty about Teflon-family coating use in treated braided lines.
The safe swap
Shakespeare
Shakespeare Sportfisher Fishing Mono filament Line
85/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Braided polyethylene / nylon with unspecified coating or finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Unknown / proprietary coating
Proprietary coating with no disclosed chemistry.
Category baseline
other 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
Spiderwire Stealth is a braided polyethylene (PE) or nylon blend core with an unspecified finish or coating applied to reduce visibility and improve handling. The coating composition is not disclosed by the manufacturer, which is the primary concern: braided PE and nylon themselves are inert in fresh or saltwater, but any surface treatment could harbor PFAS, heavy metals, or slip agents not listed on packaging. Without that coating data, risk assessment is incomplete.
The brand's record and disclosure
Spiderwire (owned by Berkley, part of Pure Fishing) does not publicly disclose fishing line coating formulations or PFAS testing results. The brand has not faced major product safety recalls for toxicity in this product line according to public records. Industry-wide, fishing line manufacturers rarely provide detailed chemical transparency, making Spiderwire typical in its silence rather than exceptional in its disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Braided PE lines like Stealth are standard performance products; competitors (Shimano, Daiwa, Power Pro) maintain similar opacity on coating chemistry. Monofilament alternatives (single-strand nylon) also lack coating details but represent a simpler material baseline. None of the major fishing line brands have committed to PFAS-free or transparent coating standards, so Spiderwire occupies the mainstream norm rather than a high or low-risk pole.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow degradation of any polymeric coating; UV exposure can cause nylon and PE to degrade and potentially leach additives over years. Replace spools every 1-2 seasons or after heavy use, as braided lines degrade faster than monofilament and any worn coating fragments are not a swallowing risk for humans but represent end-of-life replacement triggers. Wash hands after handling if you have sensitive skin, as additives in the coating can cause mild irritation in rare cases. Do not expose to extreme heat (e.g., leave in direct sun in a hot car).
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.”
Coating composition unknown (non-PFAS additives)
Spiderwire does not disclose what finish or slip agent coats the braided core. Possible additives include silicones, waxes, or colorant packages; none typically pose acute toxicity, but long-term stability and potential microleaching into water are unassessed.
Microplastic shedding during use
Braided PE lines fray and degrade over time, especially after snagging or UV exposure, releasing microscopic fibers into freshwater and marine environments. This is an environmental concern rather than a direct consumer health risk, but fragments can accumulate on hands and skin.
Heavy metals in colorant or opacifier
No recalls or test data on record for lead, cadmium, or antimony in Spiderwire products. Industrial fishing line colorants are typically organic dyes or titanium dioxide, not heavy metal based, but manufacturer confirmation is absent.
Dermal irritation from additives
Some users with sensitive skin report mild irritation or redness after prolonged handling of braided lines, likely from slip agents, UV stabilizers, or colorants on the coating. Risk is low and occurs only in susceptible individuals.
Degradation and leaching over storage
PE and nylon are stable polymers, but unspecified coatings may leach additives into tackle boxes or directly into water if stored damp. Longevity and chemical stability of the coating are unvalidated by the brand.
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 Fishing Line & Fishing Tackle
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More fishing line & fishing tackle 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.