What are “forever chemicals” and what do they have to do with activewear?

For years, the conversation around activewear has focused almost entirely on performance.

Sweat-wicking. Quick-drying. Odour-resistant. Water-repellent. Four-way stretch.

But very little attention has been paid to the chemical treatments used to create those features in the first place.

Now, that’s beginning to change.

What are “forever chemicals”?

“Forever chemicals” is the common name for PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals used across industries for their resistance to water, oil, stains and heat. They’ve been used in everything from non-stick cookware and food packaging to cosmetics, furniture and textiles.

They’re called “forever chemicals” because many PFAS compounds break down extremely slowly, meaning they can persist in the environment for long periods of time.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), certain PFAS compounds have also been associated in scientific studies with potential health effects, although research is still ongoing and varies depending on the specific compound and level of exposure.

The link between PFAS and clothing

PFAS have historically been used in certain textiles and garments to create water-resistant, stain-resistant or performance finishes.

That includes some outdoor wear, uniforms and activewear.

Not every garment contains PFAS, and not every activewear brand uses them. But PFAS chemistry has been widely used throughout the textile industry, particularly in products marketed for water or stain resistance.

Peer-reviewed research examining functional textiles has shown that PFAS can be released from treated fabrics over time through weathering, washing and environmental exposure.

The science around textile exposure is still evolving, but awareness around chemical treatments in clothing has increased significantly in recent years.

Why this matters in activewear

Activewear sits in a unique category.

It’s worn tightly against the skin, exposed to heat and sweat, and designed for repeated wear over long periods of time. At the same time, many consumers are wearing activewear far beyond the gym, often for entire days.

That’s partly why people are beginning to ask more questions about the materials and treatments used in performance clothing.

Not from panic.

From awareness.

A broader shift in consumer thinking

Over the past decade, people have become far more conscious about ingredients in food, skincare and household products.

Clothing is slowly entering that same conversation.

Consumers are starting to look beyond branding and aesthetics and ask deeper questions:

• What is this actually made from?

• What treatments were used?

• What sits against my skin every day?

• What happens to these materials over time?

For a long time, those questions barely existed in fashion.

Now they do.

The future of movement wear

Performance matters. Comfort matters. Durability matters.

But increasingly, materials matter too.

The future of activewear may not be about rejecting innovation, but about rethinking it more carefully. Fewer unnecessary treatments. More transparency. Better materials. More intentional design.

Because once you begin looking into how modern clothing is made, it becomes difficult not to question what we’ve normalised.

The conversation around activewear is changing.

And fabrics are becoming part of it.