Under Armour · Waterproof Sports Gear
Under Armour Men's Outdoor Hybrid 2-in-1 Shorts
Skip until brand discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or switches to PFAS-free treatments.
Under Armour has not disclosed PFAS status for this hybrid short's water-repellent coating finish. Standard water-repellent apparel often uses legacy PFAS; no public testing or commitment to phase them out.
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Material
polyester blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
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
These shorts are polyester blend with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the outer layer. water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on PFOA and PFOS (long-chain PFAS), though many brands have shifted to shorter-chain alternatives or fluorine-free options in recent years. Under Armour has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they use for this product line, making the actual fluorinated content impossible to verify from available information.
The brand's record and disclosure
Under Armour has not published comprehensive PFAS phase-out commitments or water-repellent coating chemistry transparency comparable to brands like Patagonia or Arc'teryx. The company does not appear in major PFAS-focused brand scorecards or disclosure databases. No major product recalls or regulatory violations specific to PFAS or synthetic textile hazards have been documented for Under Armour apparel.
How it compares in its category
Most outdoor hybrid shorts in this price tier use polyester with water-repellent coating treatment; the difference lies in manufacturer transparency. Premium brands increasingly offer fluorine-free water repellency or disclose their PFAS-free status. Under Armour's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry places this product in the middle of the market in terms of consumer information access, neither leading nor trailing.
If you buy it
Wash in cold water with mild detergent and air dry; avoid heat which can degrade the water-repellent coating. Do not dry-clean or use fabric softener, as these can interfere with water repellency and potentially mobilize any residual treatment chemicals. Replace shorts if the water-repellent coating visibly fails (water beads stop forming) or seams degrade. Consider contacting Under Armour directly to ask about water-repellent coating formulation before purchase if PFAS avoidance is a priority.
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.”
PFAS in water-repellent coating treatment (fluorinated water repellent)
water-repellent coating finishes on polyester outdoor apparel commonly contain PFAS; Under Armour has not disclosed whether this product uses legacy long-chain PFAS, short-chain PFAS, or fluorine-free alternatives. Migration to skin or washing water is theoretically possible but not quantified for this specific product.
Formaldehyde resins in polyester finish or dyes
No documented cases of formaldehyde resin issues in Under Armour polyester apparel. Standard polyester blend shorts undergo minimal formaldehyde treatment compared to cotton-heavy garments, reducing exposure risk.
Azo dyes and heavy metal pigments
Under Armour maintains compliance with EU and US dye regulations; no recalls or documented violations involving toxic azo dyes or heavy metal colorants in polyester sportswear have been recorded for the brand.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony oxide is used as a catalyst in polyester production. Under Armour products are not flagged in safety databases for excess antimony leaching; levels in finished garments are typically below concern thresholds and do not migrate meaningfully during normal wear.
Microplastic shedding from polyester blend
All synthetic blend shorts shed microfibers during washing; this product offers no mechanical advantage or disadvantage versus competitors. Wear, agitation, and repeated washing increase shedding rate regardless of water-repellent coating treatment.
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 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.