Under Armour · Waterproof Sports Gear
Under Armour Men's Tech 7" Shorts
Skip until Under Armour discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
Under Armour Tech 7 shorts use polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment, likely containing PFAS. Brand provides no disclosure of treatment chemistry or third-party verification.
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Material
polyester blend with water-repellent 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
Tech 7 shorts are polyester blend with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings on textiles are a known vector for PFAS chemicals, though some manufacturers now use non-fluorinated alternatives. The polyester base itself carries low intrinsic chemical risk when not heat-treated, but the finish application is the critical unknown here. Without Under Armour's disclosure of which water-repellent coating chemistry they use, you cannot rule out legacy or next-generation PFAS formulations.
The brand's record and disclosure
Under Armour has not published detailed water-repellent coating chemistry disclosures for apparel lines as of available public records. The company does not hold OEKO-TEX, BLUESIGN, or GOTS certification for these shorts, which would provide third-party verification of restricted chemicals. No major recalls or regulatory warnings specific to Tech 7 shorts have been documented, but the brand's silence on water-repellent coating composition is the core issue, it signals either use of unvetted formulations or reluctance to disclose.
How it compares in its category
Performance athletic shorts routinely use water-repellent coating finishes for moisture management, making this product typical in its class. Competitors like Patagonia and some Nike lines now clearly state use of PFAS-free water-repellent coating (TriDri, or similar), setting a higher transparency standard. Under Armour's lack of equivalent commitment places Tech 7 below leaders in disclosure but not unusual within the broader athletic market. The polyester blend itself is standard and not a differentiator.
If you buy it
Wash in cool to warm water (not hot) and air-dry to preserve water-repellent coating and minimize any leaching of finish chemicals. Avoid dry cleaning, which uses solvents that can mobilize coatings. Expect water-repellent coating performance to degrade after 30-50 wash cycles, this is normal and does not indicate failure. Replace when water no longer beads on fabric. Do not machine dry on high heat, as polyester can degrade and the finish may off-gas if scorched.
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 finish (non-PFAS assessment scope: disclosure gap)
water-repellent coating chemistry undisclosed by Under Armour; polyester athletic shorts routinely contain PFAS-based water-repellent coating, though non-fluorinated alternatives exist. Unable to grade specific risk without manufacturer transparency.
Azo dyes in polyester
No specific recalls or complaints documented for Tech 7 shorts. Standard polyester athletic apparel from major brands typically meets restricted azo dye standards, though independent testing is rare for this price point.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester synthesis but remains bound in the polymer matrix during normal use; leaching is not established as a concern in this product category under typical wearing and laundering conditions.
Formaldehyde resins in finishes
Some performance finishes (wrinkle-resistant, stretch) use formaldehyde-releasing resins; Under Armour does not disclose finish chemistry, so presence cannot be ruled out, though off-gassing risk is low after initial wash.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic blend
Polyester shorts shed microfibers during washing; magnitude depends on yarn quality and weave density. Tech 7 is mid-range athletic wear; shedding is typical for the category but not independently quantified for this model.
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.