TX5 GTX Men's vs Women's Nucleo High II GTX: which is safer?

La Sportiva TX5 GTX Men's is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

La Sportiva

TX5 GTX Men's

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 8/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

synthetic textile with Gore-Tex membrane waterproof layer

Confidence

45%

PossibleAzo dyes

PossibleFormaldehyde-releasing resins in finishing

PossibleAntimony in polyester

Why this grade

La Sportiva

Women's Nucleo High II GTX

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 0/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Gore-Tex membrane (polytetrafluoroethylene-based waterproof layer)

Confidence

45%

LikelyMicroplastic shedding from Gore-Tex membrane

PossibleFormaldehyde-releasing finish resins in textiles

PossibleVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) from adhesives and coatings

Why this grade

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 waterproof boots: see the full ranking