Men's Mythos Blushield Vigore 3 vs Women's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Shoes: which is safer?
New Balance Women's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Shoes is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Diadora
Men's Mythos Blushield Vigore 3
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAzo dyes in synthetic mesh and overlays
PossibleFormaldehyde resins in textile sizing and finishing
ReportedSynthetic polymer degradation and microfiber shedding
Our pick
New Balance
Women's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Shoes
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleAzo dyes and color-based toxins
PossibleAntimony in polyester
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Azo dyes in synthetic mesh and overlays, Formaldehyde resins in textile sizing and finishing, Synthetic polymer degradation and microfiber shedding and DWR coating durability and reapplication safety on the Diadora and not on the New Balance.
- We flag Azo dyes and color-based toxins and Antimony in polyester on the New Balance and not on the Diadora.
- The Diadora is Mesh textile upper with waterproof treatment where the New Balance is Mesh upper, Fresh Foam midsole, rubber outsole, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the New Balance is the one to buy.
- We are less certain about the Diadora grade, at 45% confidence against 72%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More running & athletic shoes: see the full ranking