Sufix · Fishing Line
Sufix 131 Braid
Lower concern for PFAS; standard polyethylene braid unlikely to contain fluorochemicals unless coated.
Sufix 131 Braid is a braided polyethylene fishing line with no known Teflon-family coating or Teflon-type coating treatment. Standard polyethylene braids do not typically require PFAS-based water repellency or durability treatments.
Shop Sufix on Amazon →Material
braided polyethylene fishing line
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Sufix 131 Braid is extruded braided polyethylene (PE), a high-strength synthetic polymer chosen for fishing line because it resists moisture and UV degradation better than natural fibers. Braided construction means multiple thin PE strands twisted together, which increases surface area and knot-holding without requiring surface coatings. The material itself is inert when in contact with water and does not leach additives into aquatic environments under normal use conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sufix (owned by Rapala-VMC) does not publicly disclose detailed material safety data or third-party testing results for this product line. No PFAS-free certification or transparency statements are available from the manufacturer. The brand has no documented recalls or safety controversies specific to Sufix 131 Braid, and braided PE fishing line is a low-priority category for regulatory scrutiny compared to food-contact or children's products.
How it compares in its category
Braided PE fishing lines like Sufix 131 are the industry standard for durability and knot strength. Compared to monofilament nylon alternatives, braided lines avoid the plasticizer concerns sometimes associated with nylon formulations. Fluorocarbon-coated variants exist but Sufix 131 is uncoated PE, eliminating the small risk of fluorine-based additives present in premium coated braids.
If you buy it
Store spools in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow polymer degradation; UV exposure weakens PE over months of storage. Rinse line with fresh water after saltwater use to remove corrosive salts that can weaken fibers. Inspect for fraying or discoloration before each use and replace spools every 1-2 seasons depending on use frequency. Do not incinerate spent line; dispose as landfill or recycling waste where accepted.
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.”
Microplastic shedding in aquatic environments
Braided PE line can fragment over time when abraded against rocks, reefs, or equipment, releasing small plastic particles into waterways. This is a use-phase concern rather than a toxicity concern for the angler, but environmentally relevant if line is lost or improperly disposed in water.
UV degradation and fiber weakening
Polyethylene braid degrades under prolonged sunlight exposure, leading to loss of tensile strength and potential line breakage during use. This is a performance and safety issue for fishing (line failure risk) rather than a chemical hazard, but documented in literature on PE durability.
Additives in PE formulation (antioxidants, UV absorbers)
Commercial PE fishing line typically includes small quantities of processing aids and stabilizers (hindered amines, phenolic antioxidants) to extend shelf life. Sufix does not disclose additive chemistry; leaching into water is minimal but not zero under extended immersion.
Entanglement hazard to wildlife
Lost or improperly disposed fishing line poses a documented risk to birds, marine mammals, and fish; this is an end-of-life hazard rather than a chemical one. Sufix line is identical in this regard to all braided PE alternatives and is not product-specific.
Heavy metals in colorant dyes
Sufix 131 is available in standard and high-visibility colors. No testing or recalls link heavy metal contamination in fishing line colorants; this hazard is rare in the category and unsubstantiated for this brand.
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.
Safer alternatives in Fishing Line
Stren
Original
Monofilament nylon fishing line
Lower PFAS concern for a fishing line product; no coating or treatment typical of PFAS carriers.
⚠Risky category by default
Maxima
Ultragreen One Shot
Lubricant/chain oil (mineral or synthetic base)
Lower PFAS concern for a chain lubricant; minimal Teflon-family coating/waterproofing risk profile.
⚠Risky category by default
Seaguar
Blue Label
Fluorocarbon fishing line (monofilament)
Fluorocarbon fishing line may contain PFAS; insufficient public data to grade definitively.
⚠Risky category by default
More fishing line 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.