Vasque Review, Is Vasque Non-Toxic?
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.
Across 4 graded products, Vasque averages Bad (20/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Vasque
Men's Sundowner GTX
Leather/textile upper with Gore-Tex waterproof membrane
PFAS
Gore-Tex waterproofing inherently relies on fluorinated polymers (C6 or C8…
Chromium in leather tanning
If tanned using chromium salts (Cr III), residual amounts may remain in the finished…
Azo dyes in textile linings and accents
Polyester or nylon lining and any colored stitching may use azo dyes, which can degrade…
GTX waterproofing raises concern; no brand PFAS disclosure available.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Vasque
Men's Talus AT UltraDry Hiking Boots
Nubuck leather, textile, UltraDry waterproof coating
PFAS
UltraDry waterproofing on hiking boots typically incorporates long-chain PFAS or PFAS…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nubuck leather and synthetic textile linings may contain formaldehyde-based resins used…
Azo dyes in nubuck and textile
Nubuck leather pigmentation and lining fabrics may use azo-based colorants. No specific…
Adhesive volatiles (VOCs)
Synthetic leather lamination, sole bonding, and waterproof membrane adhesives may release…
water-repellent coating hiking boots, waterproof treatment likely contains PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Vasque
Men's St. Elias Waterproof Hiking Boots Brown 7.5
Leather/synthetic upper with waterproof membrane coating
Azo dyes in leather and synthetics
Brown leather and synthetic uppers are typically dyed with industrial colorants; if…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather tanning and the polyurethane membrane lamination both commonly involve…
Coating degradation and microplastic/particulate shedding
The water-repellent coating and polyurethane membrane can crack and shed microparticles…
Heavy metals
Chromium (typically Cr(III), which is low-hazard) is a standard leather tanning agent but…
Waterproof hiking boots with unknown water-repellent coating treatment; brand silent on PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Vasque
Hiking shoes Vasque Women's Horizon Mid
Leather/nubuck upper, synthetic/rubber sole, likely water-repellent coating-treated
water-repellent coating degradation and unknown composition
Vasque does not publicly specify whether the factory water-repellent coating treatment…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nubuck and leather processing often involves chrome tanning and formaldehyde-releasing…
Synthetic overlays and adhesive offgassing
Synthetic reinforcements and stitching adhesives may release volatile organic compounds…
Azo dye residues in leather and synthetic dyes
Nubuck and synthetic overlays may use azo-based dyes, which can release carcinogenic…
Hiking shoes with unknown waterproof treatment; PFAS status unclear.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →