Does The North Face waterproof boots 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 The North Face waterproof boots products, averaging Bad (20/100). None of them grade Good or better. Against the other 9 waterproof boots brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 20/100, The North Face is about typical, scoring above 50% of them.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
The North Face
Women's Fastpack Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
Synthetic upper (likely nylon/polyester blend) with water-repellent coating waterproof treatment, rubber/synthetic sole
PFAS
Fluorinated water repellent treatments commonly contain PFOA, PFOS, or related compounds.…
Adhesive off-gassing (if present in midsole/sole bonding)
Boot soles are typically heat-bonded or glued to uppers using urethane or epoxy…
High uncertainty from waterproof treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Men's Offtrail Hike LT Mid GORE-TEX Hiking Boots
GORE-TEX membrane (fluorocarbon-based); leather/synthetic uppers
PFAS
GORE-TEX is a Teflon-family coating material whose water-repelling function depends on…
Azo dyes and synthetic textile finishing agents
The synthetic uppers and woven lining may contain azo dyes and formaldehyde-releasing…
Adhesive and sealant leachables
Boot construction involves polyurethane or polyester adhesives bonding the GORE-TEX layer…
Coating degradation and microparticle release
As the water-resistant surface coating ages and flexes with wear, it may shed…
GORE-TEX boots carry inherent PFAS risk without verification.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Men's Hedgehog 3 Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots
Leather/synthetic upper with water-repellent coating waterproof coating
PFAS
Most water-repellent coating coatings on conventional waterproof boots contain PFAS or…
Avoid until The North Face discloses waterproofing chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Summit Fastpack GORE-TEX Hiking Boot
GORE-TEX membrane (polytetrafluoroethylene-based waterproof layer) + nylon/synthetic upper
Adhesive volatiles and off-gassing
Polyurethane or epoxy adhesives bonding the GORE-TEX layer and sole can release volatile…
Dye and pigment stability in synthetic textiles
The nylon upper may use azo dyes or reactive dyes common in outdoor textiles; no North…
Thermal degradation of GORE-TEX bonding under extreme heat
GORE-TEX membranes can degrade if heated above 65-70 degrees Celsius (150-158 F), a…
Moderate PFAS concern from GORE-TEX membrane without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Women's Offtrail Hike LT Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots
Gore-Tex membrane (Teflon-family coating-based waterproof layer)
Teflon-type coating/Teflon-family coating degradation and microparticle release
Gore-Tex membrane can degrade under mechanical stress, UV exposure, or heat, potentially…
Adhesive and polyurethane off-gassing
The bond between Gore-Tex and backing layers, and polyurethane midsole, can emit volatile…
Mold and bacterial growth in insole padding or collar
Repeated wet use and warm foot environment can promote fungal or bacterial colonization…
Gore-Tex boots inherently carry PFAS risk.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Summit Series Verto SA Gore-Tex Hiking Boots
Gore-Tex membrane with textile upper and synthetic/rubber sole
PFAS
Gore-Tex's water-repellent coating treatment relies on fluorochemicals; exact formulation…
Antimony in polyester textile upper
If the upper is polyester, antimony may be present as a catalyst residue in trace…
Microorganism growth in moisture-prone seams
Waterproof boots trap moisture inside if not allowed to dry thoroughly. Seams, insoles…
Higher PFAS risk from Gore-Tex coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Women's VECTIV Fastpack Insulated Waterproof Hiking Boots
Synthetic uppers with waterproof membrane and water-repellent coating-treated fabric
PFAS
Waterproof synthetic boots almost universally use fluorocarbon water-repellent coating…
Azo dyes in synthetic uppers
Polyester or nylon uppers may be dyed with azo compounds (regulated but not banned in…
Heavy metals
Synthetic textiles can retain trace chromium, cadmium, or lead if dye suppliers are not…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some water-repellent coating treatments historically incorporated formaldehyde as a…
Skip if PFAS concerns you.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
The North Face
Men's Hedgehog GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes
GORE-TEX membrane (polytetrafluoroethylene-based) with textile upper
PFAS
GORE-TEX is inherently PFAS-based; while Teflon-type coating itself is chemically inert…
Azo dyes in textile upper
Standard synthetic textile uppers (nylon/polyester blends) in hiking footwear may contain…
Antimony in polyester components
If the textile upper uses polyester (common in North Face footwear), antimony trioxide…
Adhesive/solvent residues in lamination
GORE-TEX membrane bonding to textile involves industrial adhesives that may off-gas…
Elevated concern from GORE-TEX.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
See every The North Face product we grade on the The North Face brand page, or the full waterproof boots ranking.