PFAS-Free Activewear: What We Tested and What We Found

Most brands that use the phrase "PFAS-free" are making a claim. We would rather show you a lab report.

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.

The Test Result, in Plain Numbers

Because "we don't add it" is not the same as "it isn't there," we paid to have our fabric independently screened. Here is exactly what was tested and what came back.

• Lab: Applied Technical Services (ATS), an independent ISO 9001:2015 registered laboratory in Marietta, Georgia.
• What was tested: the main fabric of our organic cotton leggings.
• When: October 2024. Report reference 435623.
• Method: total fluorine, using ASTM D4327-17 and EN 14582:2016 as guides. Total fluorine is the limiting marker for the whole PFAS class: PFAS compounds cannot be present above the total fluorine result.
• Result: none detected, below 2 parts per million. The current de facto industry limit is 100 ppm.

Read the full lab report (PDF).

We report it that way on purpose. The test covers the article listed above, on the date listed above. It is strong evidence about the fabric we build our activewear from, and it is not a guarantee about every garment we have ever made. If a brand tells you its entire catalog is permanently free of a chemical class, ask what was tested, by whom, when, and by what method.

No Coatings, By Design

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. Read more about what GOTS certification actually covers.

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.

Made in Los Angeles, Under a State License

Every piece is knit, cut, sewn, and dyed in Los Angeles, California, and PuraKai is a licensed California garment manufacturer (Registration No. GA-LR-1001309619). That means direct visibility into every part of production, and legal accountability for the people who do it. Read about our California garment license.

Shop Organic Cotton Activewear

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

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.

Is PuraKai activewear PFAS-free?

We publish the test result rather than a blanket claim. In October 2024, Applied Technical Services independently tested the main fabric of our organic cotton leggings. Total fluorine, the limiting marker for the entire PFAS class, came back none detected at below 2 parts per million, against a current industry threshold of 100 ppm. We use no DWR coatings and no fluorinated finishes anywhere in our line, and the full report is linked above.

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. PuraKai is a licensed California garment manufacturer, Registration No. GA-LR-1001309619, verifiable in the state's public database.