Stop Wearing Plastic Gym Shorts
Bombshell Report:
Texas Investigates Lululemon Over Potential "Forever Chemicals"
Connor B.
April 14, 2026
★★★★★ 50,000+ already made the switch
Organic Cotton & Merino Wool
3rd Party Tested - BPA & PFAS Free
Fits Just Like Lulu
Protects from Microplastics
Organic Cotton & Merino Wool
3rd Party Tested - BPA & PFAS Free
Fits Just Like Lulu
Protects from Microplastics
What's Going On
Here's Why Big Brands Are Being Investigated
On April 13, 2026, the Texas Attorney General opened a formal investigation into Lululemon over the potential presence of PFAS — "forever chemicals" — in their athletic apparel.
"I will not allow any corporation to sell harmful, toxic materials to consumers at a premium price under the guise of wellness and sustainability." — Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General
The investigation is the first major regulatory action centered on what people wear during a workout — not what they drink or eat. According to the AG's office, PFAS in apparel have been associated with endocrine disruption, reproductive harm, and other long-term health issues.
Lululemon denies current use and says they phased out PFAS in fiscal 2023. The investigation is ongoing.
THE SCIENCE AND WHY IT MATTERS
What PFAS Are (And What They Can Do To Your Body)
PFAS — "forever chemicals" — are synthetic compounds used to make fabric water-resistant, sweat-wicking, and stain-proof. They were also designed not to break down. Not in the environment. Not in your body. And research shows they can absorb directly through your skin during exercise — when your pores are open, your skin is warm, and you're sweating.
This can cause issues like:
Hormone Disruption
PFAS interfere with the endocrine system, affecting how your body produces and regulates testosterone, thyroid, and other hormones. The EPA classifies multiple PFAS compounds as endocrine disruptors.
Potential Fertility Impacts
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have linked PFAS exposure to reduced sperm count, decreased fertility, and reproductive harm. The Texas AG cites infertility specifically in their investigation.
Microplastic Accumulation
PFAS bind to microplastic fibers shed from synthetic fabric — and studies have now detected microplastics in human blood, lungs, and reproductive tissue. The chemicals don't just stay on your skin. They accumulate inside you.
An Industry Wide Problem
Lululemon Isn't The Problem - It's The Fabric.
99% of activewear is made of polyester, nylon and spandex. That's literally just plastic.
These materials aren't naturally sweat wicking. To make them sweat wicking, they need to add chemicals.
This problem is industry wide:
99% of Activewear is Plastic
Polyester, nylon, and spandex are all petroleum-based synthetics. Same chemistry as water bottles and plastic bags — just spun into thread.
Plastic Fabrics Shed Microplastics
Every wear and every wash releases microscopic plastic fibers — onto your skin, into your laundry water, and potentially into your body.
Plastic Fabrics Often Contain Toxic Chemicals
PFAS, BPA, phthalates, and formaldehyde finishes are routinely used to give synthetic fabric its sales-pitch properties. None are required to be listed on the label.
What To Wear Instead: A Non-Toxic Solution
Ryker Activewear: Natural, Non-Toxic Activewear for Men
Ryker was built for this moment. Ryker's activewear is made of natural fibers and 3rd party tested to be free of toxins.
100% Natural Fibers
Organic cotton outer + Merino wool liner. Zero synthetic blends.
3rd Party Tested BPA and PFAS Free
Independently tested and verified - so you know you're safe.
Naturally Breathable & Moisture Wicking
Natural fibers means natural performance.
Designed for Athletic Performance
A return to natural fabrics, without sacrificing fit or function.
Certified & Lab Tested
Our products use certified materials & 3rd party tests to guarantee our gear is free of harmful chemicals.
GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
Grown without pesticides or harmful chemicals, our cotton is safer for your skin and better for the planet.
OEKO-TEX Certified Materials & Dyes
Our facilities only use OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified materials - to avoid the toxins found in traditional apparel.
Third Party Lab Tested
Completely free of BPA, PFAS ("forever chemicals"), and phthalates - so you can trust you're safe.
See Full Lab Results
We Even Publish Our Results...
Full transparency. Because that's what you deserve. See below for our full report.
See Full Lab Results
★★★★★ Trusted by 50,000+ happy customers
Certified & Lab Tested Non-Toxic Gym Shorts
The Apex Short - (100% Organic Cotton + 100% Merino Wool Liner)
100% organic cotton outer short + 100% organic Merino wool liner
Organic cotton from GOTS-certified sources + fabrics from OEKO-TEX certified partners
Fits just like Lululemon shorts
Naturally stretchy, temperature regulating and odor resistant
$66.00
Select Size:
XL
Small
Medium
Large
XL
These Run Small, We Recommend Sizing Up!
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Select Inseam:
5.5"
7"
5.5"
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Quantity
Pre-Orders Ship November 9th!
BUY ONE GET ONE 30% OFF + Free Shipping
The Apex Short
$99.00
$68.30
SAVE 30%
Added! Click "Add To Cart" Below for 30% Off
100% Natural Fibers
Certified Non-Toxic
3rd Party Tested BPA & PFAs Free
SHIPS IN 24 HOURS
90 DAY EASY RETURNS
FREE SHIPPING OVER $150
Description
- 100% organic cotton outer short + 100% organic Merino wool liner
- Organic cotton from GOTS-certified sources
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified fabrics & dyes
- Our fabrics are 3rd party tested BPA, PFAS and phthalate free - see report here
- Our Merino wool is not superwashed - it's processed using an organic, plastic-free treatment - learn more here
Enough with the polyester shorts with the toxic liners. Switch to Apex shorts made with natural fibers.
Guaranteed to be the most comfortable gym short you've ever worn.
Size Chart
Runs small - we recommend sizing up!
Materials and Care
Shorts: 100% Organic Cotton
Liner: 100% Organic Merino Wool
Care Instructions: Machine wash on cold with gentlest setting available. Wool specific setting if possible. Gentle washing avoids felting and shrinking.
Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry.
Wash only when needed - Merino naturally avoids odor, meaning less washing is needed!
Shipping & Returns
FREE Shipping on orders $150+.
If you don't love it, return it (unused) in 90 days for a full refund.
Care Instructions
Cold wash & hang to dry.
Why Top Biohackers Trust Ryker
"Ryker is changing the game with gym clothes. What I like is that Ryker's shorts still fit like gym shorts & don't feel like some nerdy "health product" - but they're toxin free, 3rd party tested, and made of 100% natural fabrics. They're now the only shorts I want to wear."
- Ben Greenfield
Athlete, Biohacker, Fitness Coach
Join Ben & 50,000 others who have made the switch to natural fibers
Ryker
vs. "The Other Guys"
Once you see - the choice is clear.
100% organic cotton +
100% Merino wool
Zero endocrine disruptors, 3rd party tested
No microplastic shedding fabrics
Naturally wicks sweat & controls odor, keeping you fresh
Made from nature, optimized for health and performance
"The Other Guys"
100% Plastic (polyester, nylon, spandex)
Often contains high levels of BPA, phthalates, and "forever chemicals"
Up to 700,000 microplastics shed per wash & wear
Traps heat & moisture, making you sweat & stink
Made from plastic bottles, optimized for profit
Shop natural fiber activewear
Over 100,00 Pairs Sold
Trusted by biohackers, top executives, and guys who care about what goes on their body
Shop All Of Our Natural Shorts & Underwear
We've got everything you need to ditch plastic activewear for good
Buy One Get One 30% Off
SHOP NATURAL FIBER ACTIVEWEAR
Frequently Asked Questions
How do these compare to synthetic brands like Lulu?
Our shorts fit & perform exactly like your Lulus - same athletic cut & range of motion. We've also meticulously designed them with a specialized knit & weave to give them stretch without elastane blends.
The difference is what they're made of. Big brands are made of polyester & nylon (petroleum based plastic). We use 100% organic cotton & Merino wool.
Same fit and function, zero plastic fabrics, zero endocrine disruptors. Most customers who switch tell us the merino liner actually handles moisture and odor better than any synthetic they've worn.
What's the science behind the harms of polyester?
We get it - health claims can often feel like noise. But here's what the research actually shows: peer-reviewed studies have linked polyester undergarments to reduced sperm count, and independent testing has found BPA levels in major activewear brands at up to 40x the legal safety limit. PFAS - classified as 'forever chemicals' by the EPA — are commonly used in moisture-wicking treatments on synthetic fabrics.
Chemicals like BPA and PFAS have been shown to be endocrine disruptors that can impact testosterone and fertility - even at small levels of exposure.
This is why we publish our third-party lab results showing zero BPA, zero PFAS, and zero phthalates in our gear. You can view them here.
Why is it $99?
Organic cotton and merino wool cost substantially more than petroleum-based polyester — because they're not derived from plastic.
Most premium activewear brands charge $70-100 for shorts made from materials that cost a fraction of what ours do. We charge $99 for shorts made from certified organic, independently lab-tested natural fibers. Most of our customers spend more than $99/month on supplements alone. Our shorts are a one-time investment in removing a daily source of endocrine disruptor exposure.
We're proud that we're still priced competitively to premium brands like Lululemon, Vuori, and Rhone - despite using high quality, 100% natural materials.
What are GOTS & OEKO-TEX Standard 100?
GOTS is the Global Organic Textile Standard. It means our cotton has been grown & processed without the synthetic pesticides or toxic chemicals (like formaldehyde), commonly found in conventional cotton.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 means all of our fibers, fabrics, and dyes have been 3rd party tested for a variety of toxic substances - including BPA, PFAS and other endocrine disruptors. When you wear Ryker, you can be confident you're only wearing the best.
Are your clothes 3rd party tested?
Yes. Not only do we rely on regular factory audits from the governing bodies of GOTS & OEKO-TEX Standard 100, but we also independently test our fabrics & end garments.
You can see our latest test here. Completely free of BPA, PFAs, and phthalates.
What size should I get / will your products shrink?
We almost recommend customers "size up" from whatever they wear in synthetic brands. For example, if you're a medium in Lulu shorts, opt for a large in Ryker.
This is because our gear tends to run a bit small + shrinks ~5% in the wash. This is inherent to a high quality natural fiber.
"Pre-shrunk" cotton is often treated with harmful chemicals to make it that way - and that's not what we're about.
We always recommend washing on the most gentle setting available + laying flat to dry to reduce shrinkage.
What's the return policy?
90-day returns on unworn products. No questions asked. We want you to be confident in the purchase, and we stand behind the product. If it doesn't work for you, send it back.
Shop natural fiber activewear
Proudly Not Under Investigation.
100% organic cotton and Merino wool. Third-party tested for PFAS, BPA, and phthalates. Built to perform without the chemistry.
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