Men's Pinnacle Trek Gore-Tex Hiking Boots vs Men's Speed Strike 2 Mid Waterproof: which is safer?

Where these two actually differ

• We flag PTFE/PFAS in Gore-Tex membrane, Leather tanning residues and heavy metals, Synthetic dye migration (azo dyes, antimony in polyester) and Formaldehyde-based adhesives in lamination on the Garmont and not on the Merrell.
• We flag PFAS in waterproof coating and Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds from synthetic coating on the Merrell and not on the Garmont.
• The Garmont is Gore-Tex membrane, leather, synthetic uppers where the Merrell is textile upper with waterproof coating, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
• These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.