Women's Nucleo High II GTX vs Men's Moab 3 8" Tactical Zip Waterproof Boot: 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 8" Tactical Zip Waterproof Boot

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 0/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Leather/synthetic upper with proprietary waterproof membrane

Confidence

35%

PossibleFormaldehyde resins in synthetic uppers and linings

PossibleWaterproof membrane degradation and microparticle shedding

PossibleAzo dyes in leather or synthetic upper colorants

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