TL;DR: PuraKai's fabrics are 92% organic cotton and 8% spandex — synthetic fiber blended through the whole garment. Wayve blends nothing: 100% organic cotton shell, 100% merino wool liner. PuraKai cuts and sews in Los Angeles; Wayve manufactures internationally with GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified partners.
The five differences
1. Blended fabric vs 100% natural fiber
PuraKai: 92% organic cotton, 8% spandex. The spandex is blended through the body fabric, not confined to a waistband — which means synthetic fiber across every square inch of the garment touching you, and microplastic shedding in every wash.
Wayve Quad Short: 100% organic cotton shell, 100% merino wool liner. Nothing blended into either fabric. The elastane at the waistband is covered — wrapped in natural fiber so the synthetic core doesn't sit against skin.
8% sounds small. It's the difference between "mostly natural" and natural.
2. Where stretch and odor resistance come from
Both garments need to stretch and both need to resist odor. They solve it differently.
PuraKai gets stretch from blended spandex.
Wayve gets it from merino wool and knit construction. Merino also handles odor resistance and thermoregulation as properties of the fiber, which is why the Quad Short needs neither a synthetic blend nor a chemical finish.
3. Certification and testing
PuraKai holds GOTS certification and has published an independent PFAS lab report as a downloadable PDF — good practice, and more brands should do it.
Wayve holds GOTS-certified organic cotton, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 low-impact dyes, and RWS-certified merino. Since 1 January 2024, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 has carried a general ban on PFAS, assessed by total fluorine to a 100 mg/kg limit with individual limits for PFOS, PFHxA, PFHxS and C9–C14 PFCAs — so Wayve's fabrics have already been third-party tested for PFAS as a condition of certification. Independent testing with Eurofins is also underway.
4. Where each is made
PuraKai cuts and sews in Los Angeles.
Wayve manufactures internationally, with GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified partners at every stage. The certification travels with the supply chain rather than the postcode — which is the point of having an audited standard.
5. What each is built for
PuraKai comes out of surf and coastal apparel — leggings, joggers, tops and tees for everyday wear.
Wayve is built for training and elevated everyday. The Quad Short has a merino liner doing thermoregulation work, zip side pockets, and a 6" liner under a 4" shell to stop ride-up. Fabric weights are published for both layers — 290GSM and 165GSM — and every trim is cotton, down to the care and material labels.
Side by side
| Wayve Quad Short | PuraKai | |
|---|---|---|
| Body fabric | 100% organic cotton + 100% merino | 92% organic cotton / 8% spandex |
| Synthetic in fabric | None | 8%, blended throughout |
| Sheds microplastics | No | Yes |
| Stretch from | Merino wool + knit construction | Blended spandex |
| Certifications | GOTS, OEKO-TEX 100, RWS | GOTS |
| PFAS tested | Yes — via OEKO-TEX 100 certification | Yes — published lab report |
| Made in | Internationally, certified partners | Los Angeles |
| Fabric weight published | Yes — 290/165GSM | No |
| Merino liner | Yes | No |
| Best for | Training, elevated everyday | Everyday, surf, casual |
The verdict
Buy PuraKai if domestic manufacturing is your top priority and blended spandex doesn't bother you. They make good products and publishing their lab report is a practice worth copying.
Buy Wayve if you want zero synthetic fiber in the fabric. 8% spandex is a small-sounding number that means plastic in every square inch of what's against your skin, and it sheds microplastics for the life of the garment. Wayve's stretch comes from merino wool instead — which also handles odor and temperature, so nothing has to be blended or sprayed in.
FAQ
Does PuraKai publish a PFAS lab report?
Yes — an independent test with the laboratory named and the report downloadable in full. It's the strongest evidence practice among natural fiber apparel brands and worth copying.
Are Wayve's fabrics tested for PFAS?
Yes. Wayve's fabrics carry OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which has banned PFAS since January 2024 and tests total fluorine to a 100 mg/kg limit with individual limits for PFOS, PFHxA, PFHxS and C9–C14 PFCAs. Certification is third-party testing. Additional independent testing with Eurofins is also underway.
Is 8% spandex a problem?
It means synthetic fiber across the whole garment rather than just a waistband, and it sheds microplastics in every wash. Wayve gets stretch from merino wool and knit construction instead, keeping elastane out of the body fabric entirely.
Where is each brand made?
PuraKai cuts and sews in Los Angeles. Wayve manufactures internationally, with GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified partners at every stage.
Which is better for the gym?
Wayve, on construction — a merino liner, zip pockets and a shell-to-liner inseam differential. PuraKai is built more for everyday and coastal wear.