Does Powerstep synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics have PFAS?
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.
We graded 8 Powerstep synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics products, averaging Good (65/100). None of them grade Good or better.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Powerstep
Pulse Performance Insoles
EVA foam, gel, fabric blend
Azo dyes in fabric blend
The fabric blend upper may use conventional azo dyes during manufacture; these can…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Textile fabric blends sometimes receive formaldehyde-releasing finishes for wrinkle…
These insoles likely skip PFAS, but the brand says nothing about it.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
PULSE E
foam insoles, textile upper
Azo dyes in textile coloring
Textile uppers may use azo dyes (carcinogenic aromatic amines) if dyed conventionally. No…
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Foam insoles gradually compress and can fragment with extended wear, potentially creating…
No PFAS risk data exists; products like this usually pose lower concern if untreated.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
PULSE Maxx Orthotic Running Shoe Insert
Foam, fabric, and elastomer blend
Polyurethane foam degradation and volatile release
Polyurethane foams in shoe insoles can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over…
Skin sensitization from uncertified materials
The lack of OEKO-TEX, LGA, or equivalent certification means material batch consistency…
PFAS concern is unlikely, though brand silence limits certainty.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Pulse Thin Insoles
Foam, fabric, gel components
Polyurethane foam off-gassing (VOCs)
Foam insoles may release volatile organic compounds, especially when new or if exposed to…
Gel cushioning degradation and microleaching
Gel components can soften, migrate, or degrade over extended use or heat exposure. If the…
Fabric coating or adhesive residues
The fabric upper may be treated with sizing, dyes, or adhesives to bond foam and gel…
No known PFAS risk, but the brand discloses nothing about materials.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Pinnacle Orthotic Insoles
EVA foam, nylon mesh, leather, fiberglass arch support
Heavy metals
Leather upper and nylon mesh are both dyed components; PowerStep does not disclose…
Allergens from leather tanning byproducts
Leather used in the insole lining may retain tanning residues (chromium salts, sulfides)…
Lower concern; core materials are inherently PFAS-free with no chemical treatment revealed.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Archmolds Maximum Orthotic Insoles
EVA foam, neoprene, fabric backing
Neoprene manufacturing residue
Neoprene can retain trace solvents from production (typically hexane or other volatile…
Adhesive degradation under moisture
The neoprene backing is typically glued to the EVA foam; prolonged soaking or machine…
Azo dyes in colored fabric backing
If the fabric backing is dyed, it may use azo dyes that can release aromatic amines; risk…
Lower PFAS concern; no known high-risk treatments in this product type.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Pinnacle Low Insoles
Foam, fabric, leather
Azo dyes in fabric covering
Fabric layer composition and dye chemistry are not disclosed by PowerStep. Azo dyes are…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyurethane foam and fabric-to-foam adhesives can contain formaldehyde or releasers as…
Skin sensitization from dyes or leather finishing chemicals
Individuals with sensitive skin or metal allergies (e.g., chromium from tanning) may…
Lower concern insole, but confirm materials with the brand if PFAS matters to you.
⚠Risky category by default
Powerstep
Bridge Insoles
foam, gel, textile layers
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Textile top covers on insoles may contain formaldehyde-based binders or finishes for…
Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
Polyurethane foam can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during early use and when…
Bacterial growth and mold in gel or foam layers
Damp gel and foam insoles are susceptible to microbial colonization if not dried between…
Limited PFAS risk is likely, but the brand says nothing about it.
⚠Risky category by default
See every Powerstep product we grade on the Powerstep brand page, or the full synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics ranking.