TX5 GTX Men's vs Men's Moab 3: 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

Merrell

Men's Moab 3

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 0/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Mesh/synthetic leather upper with water-repellent coating-treated footwear

Confidence

45%

LikelyPFAS in water-resistant (water-repellent coating) coating

PossibleSynthetic leather off-gassing (VOCs) and degradation

PossibleRubber midsole and outsole degradation (microplastics)

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