PFAS-Free Activewear

The only activewear we make is PFAS-free. By design, not by treatment.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals. They're found in the DWR coatings that make most athletic gear water-resistant and stain-resistant. They don't wash out. They accumulate in the body and in the environment. The EPA and NIH have linked long-term exposure to thyroid dysfunction, immune suppression, and certain cancers.

We don't use them. We never have. Everything we make is built from GOTS-certified organic cotton: our PureFlex activewear fabric is 92% organic cotton with 8% spandex for stretch, and our lightweight joggers and tees are 100% organic cotton. The cotton is certified from field to fabric by licensed third-party inspectors.

PFAS-free isn't a marketing claim. Here's the paper trail.

PFAS-Free by Design, Not by Treatment

Most brands that call themselves PFAS-free have swapped one coating for another. We took a different path: no coatings at all. Organic cotton doesn't need them.

GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) is the most rigorous certification in textiles. It covers environmental and social standards at every step: fiber sourcing, processing, manufacturing, and labeling. Our cotton is grown in Texas, Turkey, and India under those rules, without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

No DWR Coatings. No Fluorinated Finishes.

DWR (durable water repellent) is the main source of PFAS in activewear. It's sprayed or bonded onto fabric to repel water and stains. We don't use it. Our garments perform because of what the fiber is. Not what it's been treated with. And because "we don't add it" is not the same as "it isn't there," our fabric is independently lab-tested for PFAS. The most recent screen was run by Applied Technical Services, an independent ISO 9001:2015 registered lab, on our organic cotton leggings fabric. Total fluorine, the limiting marker for the entire PFAS class, came back none detected at below 2 parts per million. The current industry threshold is 100 ppm. Read the full lab report (PDF).

Made in Los Angeles

Every piece is knit, cut, sewn, and dyed in Los Angeles, California. That means direct visibility into every part of production. We know who cuts the fabric, who sews the seams, and what goes into each garment. That accountability is built into every piece.

Shop PFAS-Free Activewear

Looking for a specific piece? Start with our PFAS-free leggings, our most popular style and the one we get the most questions about.

Certifications

GOTS-certified fabric. Independently lab-tested PFAS-free: view the ATS Chemical Test Report (PDF).

Every claim we make is documented. The lab report above is one example. If you want to see more of the paperwork, ask us.

Want the Full Story?

We wrote a detailed breakdown of how PFAS gets into activewear, what the research actually says, and how to avoid it: read What Is PFAS in Clothing? (And How to Avoid It) and Is Polyester Bad for You? What the Science Actually Says.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PFAS and why does it matter in activewear?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in industrial and consumer products. In activewear, they show up most often as DWR coatings on leggings, sports bras, and jackets. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment or in the human body. The EPA and NIH have linked chronic PFAS exposure to immune dysfunction, thyroid disruption, and certain cancers.

How is PuraKai activewear PFAS-free?

Our activewear is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton: the PureFlex fabric is 92% organic cotton with 8% spandex for stretch, with no fluorinated coatings and no DWR treatments. And the result is verified: our fabric is independently lab-tested PFAS-free. It isn't a workaround. It's the outcome of using a fiber that never needed fluorinated treatments in the first place.

Is organic cotton good for working out?

Yes. Organic cotton breathes, absorbs moisture instead of smearing it around, and softens with wear. It's well-suited for yoga, Pilates, training, and all-day movement. It's also gentler on skin than most synthetics. That matters when you're wearing it for hours at a time.

What does GOTS certification mean?

GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It's the leading certification for organic textiles worldwide. To qualify, every step of the certified supply chain has to meet strict environmental and social criteria, verified by licensed third-party certifiers.

Where is PuraKai activewear made?

Every piece is knit, cut, sewn, and dyed in Los Angeles, California, from organic cotton grown in Texas, Turkey, and India. We have direct relationships with our production partners. No black-box supply chain.