All 24 running shoes we scored fail our PFAS screen
We scored 24 running shoes for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them safest first. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.
100% of the 24 running shoes we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
The safest PFAS-free running shoes we have scored
Nothing in this category clears our buy threshold yet. That is the finding, not a gap.
The running shoes we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.
New Balance
Men's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 GTX Running
Mesh/textile upper with GTX waterproof membrane
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored mesh
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
GTX membrane likely contains PFAS; New Balance discloses nothing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
New Balance
Men's DynaSoft Nitrel v6 Gore Tex
Textile with Gore-Tex waterproof membrane
Azo dyes in textile colorants
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Cadmium
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Gore-Tex membranes historically use PFAS; New Balance discloses nothing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
New Balance
Men's Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
Knit textile with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from knit upper
Limited concern
Trail shoe with likely water-repellent coating; PFAS status unclear from brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
What we check on running shoes
- Confirmed PFAS, PTFE or fluoropolymer content, which is the heaviest penalty we apply.
- Stain, water or grease resistant treatments, which usually mean fluorinated chemistry.
- Whether the brand discloses what is in the product, or stays silent behind a “clean” claim.
- Independent lab results and certifications where they exist.
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The running shoes brands that will not say
6 of the brands here publish nothing about PFAS at all. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is why none of them score well on disclosure.
ASICS, Diadora, Mizuno, New Balance, On Running, Puma.
Common questions about PFAS-free running shoes
Is running shoes PFAS free?
Mostly not. Of the 24 running shoes we have scored, 100% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 0 that pass. The lowest is New Balance New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 GTX Running at 20.
Which running shoes should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are New Balance New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 GTX Running at 20, New Balance New Balance Men's DynaSoft Nitrel v6 Gore Tex at 20, New Balance New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 at 20. The problem with the first is that gTX membrane likely contains PFAS; New Balance discloses nothing.
Which running shoes brands will not say whether they use PFAS?
6 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including ASICS, Diadora, Mizuno, New Balance, On Running, Puma. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test running shoes?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
Get the safe list, free
The products we score each week, and the safest alternative in every category.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 24 running shoes.