Merino Short - 5"
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Shop nowWorkout Clothes Without PFAS (Forever Chemicals): What to Look For
If you’re searching for workout clothes without PFAS, you’re usually trying to avoid “forever chemical” finishes that can be added to some textiles for water, stain, or oil resistance. PFAS are a large group of long-lasting synthetic chemicals used across many consumer products, and they break down very slowly over time.
The short answer
Some workout clothes can contain PFAS — but you can reduce the risk by avoiding water/stain-repellent finishes and choosing brands that clearly state “no intentionally added PFAS.” PFAS are most commonly associated with coatings and finishes designed to resist water, oil, or stains, rather than the base fibre alone.
Why PFAS show up in clothing
PFAS have been used to make products resistant to heat, stains, grease and water. In textiles, they are typically used to add properties like water repellence, oil repellence, and stain resistance.
- Water-repellent finishes (often sold as “DWR” or “water resistant”)
- Stain / oil / soil resistance (“stain proof”, “repels grease”)
- Some technical outerwear coatings (more common than everyday leggings)
How to spot higher-risk product descriptions
If you’re trying to avoid PFAS, these phrases are worth paying attention to:
- “Water-repellent” / “water resistant” / “DWR finish”
- “Stain resistant” / “oil resistant” / “soil resistant”
- “Easy-clean coating” / “repels liquids”
- Any mention of “fluoro” chemistry or “fluorinated” finishes
Not every product using these terms contains PFAS — but these claims are where PFAS chemistry has historically been used most often in textiles.
What to look for instead (the safest signals)
- “No intentionally added PFAS” (explicit language is best)
- “PFAS-free” (ideally with a definition of what the brand means)
- Transparency: the brand explains its finishing chemistry or can answer questions
Some major outdoor brands now use the phrase “made without intentionally added PFAS” specifically for membranes and water-repellent finishes. This is the most useful wording because it targets the common source: finishes and coatings.
Do natural fibres help?
Natural fibres (like merino wool and cotton) are less likely to need heavy chemical finishing to perform well in everyday movement. That doesn’t automatically guarantee “PFAS-free”, but it often reduces reliance on the kinds of coatings where PFAS is most commonly used.
If you’re exploring natural-fibre activewear as a “low-tox” direction, these guides connect the dots:
- Low-tox activewear: why what you sweat in matters
- Plastic-free activewear: what it really means
- Why do we label food ingredients but not what we wear?
How to ask a brand (copy/paste questions)
- Do you use any PFAS-based finishes (water, stain, oil resistance) on this product?
- Is this product made with no intentionally added PFAS?
- If you claim “PFAS-free,” what definition are you using (finishes only, or all inputs)?
- Do you have testing or a restricted substances policy you can share?
Related guides (PFAS cluster)
- Do workout clothes have PFAS?
- How to avoid PFAS in activewear (checklist)
- The Estroni Merino Guide (hub)
