PlastfriNylon (Polyamide)
Petro-synthetic
High plastic. The original synthetic fiber, spun from crude-oil-derived polyamide.
What nylon is
Nylon — labeled “polyamide” or “PA” in Europe — was the first fully synthetic fiber, invented in 1935 as a silk substitute. It is a crude-oil-derived thermoplastic prized for strength and stretch, which makes it the default in tights, swimwear, backpacks, windbreakers, and umbrellas.
Like all synthetics it sheds microfibers in the wash, and swimwear sheds directly into pools and open water. Regenerated versions (Econyl) divert waste like fishing nets but produce the same plastic fiber.
How Plastfri scores it
Nylon and polyamide score 100/100. A swimsuit at “82% nylon, 18% elastane” scores 100 — both fibers are fully synthetic. Recycled nylon scores the same, with the recycled claim shown separately.
The same weight applies everywhere: a product's score is the percentage-weighted plastic share of its listed fiber composition, and every weight is public.
Scored products containing nylon
- APRES PILGRIMAGE COTTON T-SHIRT18/100
- VIM & VIGR Solid Black (Merino Wool) Compression Socks60/100
- Path Projects Altira Short100/100
- Path Projects Century Short100/100
- Nordisk Ivo~100/100
- Montane Men's Tenacity Softshell Pants100/100
- Odlo Ascent Light Zip-Off Hiking Pants100/100
- Montane Mens Volantis Softshell Pants100/100
- Uvex Unilite Thermo Plus Safety Glove (est.)~75/100
- Conair Grip & Style Small Metal Round Hairbrush, Nylon Bristles and Rubber Handle $1.39 (est.)~100/100
Scores marked ~ rest on incomplete material evidence; (est.) rows were estimated from product text rather than a listed composition. Browse the full database →
Keep reading
Plastfri spots nylon for you. Scores every product while you shop — covers, dims, or labels the high-plastic ones.
Score a product — free