Repel Spray vs Fabric & Leather Duo-Pack: which is safer?

NikWax Fabric & Leather Duo-Pack is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Jason Markk Repel Spray

Jason Markk

Repel Spray

PFAS grade

Poor 40/100

Overall grade

Bad 10/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Proprietary water-repellent spray coating

Confidence

35%

LikelyVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from solvent carriers

PossibleFluorinated polymer inhalation (if Teflon-type coating or similar PFAS present)

PossibleAerosol propellant effects on respiratory system

Our pick

NikWax Fabric & Leather Duo-Pack

Nikwax

Fabric & Leather Duo-Pack

PFAS grade

Good 65/100

Overall grade

Good 53/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Fabric and leather waterproofing treatment (wax-based)

Confidence

62%

PossibleVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) in spray carrier

PossibleSkin or eye irritation from direct contact

PossibleResidue buildup on treated materials over time

Where these two actually differ

  • We flag Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from solvent carriers, Fluorinated polymer inhalation (if PTFE or similar PFAS present), Aerosol propellant effects on respiratory system and Skin and eye contact irritation on the Jason Markk and not on the Nikwax.
  • We flag Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in spray carrier, Skin or eye irritation from direct contact and Residue buildup on treated materials over time on the Nikwax and not on the Jason Markk.
  • The Jason Markk is Proprietary water-repellent spray coating where the Nikwax is Fabric and leather waterproofing treatment (wax-based), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
  • The gap is 25 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Nikwax is the one to buy.
  • We are less certain about the Jason Markk grade, at 35% confidence against 62%, because it discloses less.

Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers 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 shoe waterproofing sprays, see the full ranking