Does Brooks synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics have PFAS?
We graded 8 Brooks synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics products, averaging Poor (48/100). None of them grade Good or better. Against the other 19 synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 65/100, Brooks is worse than typical.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Brooks
Replacement Insoles Cushion Neutral Mens sz 10.5
Foam cushioning, likely ethylene-vinyl acetate or polyurethane
Microplastic shedding or degradation
Foam insoles do shed fine particles with age and compression, especially at seams or…
Lower PFAS concern. Standard foam insoles rarely use PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Insoles For Brooks Running Shoes, Cushion Shoe Inserts For Men &
Foam cushioning, likely polyurethane or EVA
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing
Polyurethane and EVA foams release small amounts of VOCs during manufacture and early…
Microplastic shedding
As foam insoles age and compress, they may shed microparticles, though this is not unique…
Bacterial or fungal growth in degraded foam
Compressed or water-damaged foam can harbor bacteria or fungal growth if not dried…
Standard foam insoles rarely use PFAS compounds.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Glycerin Gts 22 Hoka Insoles Mens 8.5 Extra Wide 4e
Foam cushioning, textile mesh upper, thermoplastic heel counter
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Polyurethane and EVA foams degrade over time and with heat or UV exposure, potentially…
Moisture retention and mold growth
Foam insoles retain sweat and moisture, creating risk for mold or bacterial growth if not…
Typical foam insole without known PFAS triggers.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Cushion Support Shoe Insole Replacement 11.5-12
foam insole, likely EVA or polyurethane foam
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Closed-cell foam insoles may incorporate small amounts of formaldehyde-based binders or…
Microplastics
Polyurethane and EVA foam insoles shed microscopic particles with normal wear and…
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
New foam insoles may emit low levels of VOCs during initial use as residual solvents from…
Standard foam insoles rarely use PFAS compounds.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Cushion Support Replacement Insoles Navy Blue Tr-3 Tr-4 10ar Mens 10
Foam cushioning, textile cover
Formaldehyde / VOCs
The textile cover may be treated with formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or…
Azo dyes in textile cover
The blue color of these insoles likely uses synthetic dyes; azo dyes can include aromatic…
Microplastics
Over extended use, the foam cushioning breaks down physically, potentially shedding small…
Allergic sensitization to dyes or adhesives
Individuals with sensitive skin or contact dermatitis history may react to dyes, glues…
Typical foam insole materials rarely contain PFAS.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Brooks
Men's Adrenaline GTS 25
mesh textile upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
Water-repellent treatment on mesh and outsole almost certainly contains perfluorinated…
Polyurethane midsole off-gassing
Polyurethane foams can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including isocyanates…
Running shoe with likely water-repellent coating, lacks transparency.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Brooks
(insoles Only) For Men's Adrenaline Gts 24 Running Size12
foam cushioning with moisture-wicking fabric, likely water-repellent coating-treated textile layer
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemicals
Brooks does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry; may include PFAS or PFAS-free…
Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
New polyurethane foam may emit trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the first few…
Undisclosed water-repellent coating-treated insoles carry typical waterproof coating risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Brooks
Women's Glycerin 23
Knit textile upper with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS
Knit upper has water-repellent treatment; Brooks does not disclose chemical composition.…
Antimony in polyester fibers
Polyester content in the knit upper may contain trace antimony as a polymerization…
Adhesive and sole-upper interface degradation
Brooks running shoes, including the Glycerin line, have occasional reports of…
Running shoe with likely water-resistant coating; PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Better synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics from other brands
Graded higher than the Brooks average of 48.
Powerstep
Pulse Performance Insoles
EVA foam, gel, fabric blend
Azo dyes in fabric blend
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
These insoles likely skip PFAS, but the brand says nothing about it.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Powerstep
PULSE E
foam insoles, textile upper
Azo dyes in textile coloring
Limited concern
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Limited concern
Foam and textile insoles with no coating or water-repellent finish on record.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Powerstep
PULSE Maxx Orthotic Running Shoe Insert
Foam, fabric, and elastomer blend
Polyurethane foam degradation and volatile release
Limited concern
Skin sensitization from uncertified materials
Limited concern
PFAS concern is unlikely, though brand silence limits certainty.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
See every Brooks product we grade on the Brooks brand page, or the full synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics ranking.