Women's Nucleo High II GTX vs Men's Moab 3: which is safer?

These two grade almost identically. Pick on price and preference; neither has a PFAS edge.

La Sportiva

Women's Nucleo High II GTX

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 0/100

Verdict

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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

Merrell

Men's Moab 3

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 0/100

Verdict

Skip

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