Men Mephisto Curt Mt SNEAKER vs Men's X Ultra 5 Mid GTX: which is safer?
Men Mephisto Curt Mt SNEAKER is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
Mephisto
Men Mephisto Curt Mt SNEAKER
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleVolatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing from adhesives
Salomon
Men's X Ultra 5 Mid GTX
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleTeflon-type coating membrane degradation and inhalation risk
PossibleAdhesive off-gassing (volatile organic compounds)
PossibleMicroplastic shedding from synthetic materials
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing from adhesives on the Mephisto and not on the Salomon.
- We flag PTFE membrane degradation and inhalation risk, Adhesive off-gassing (volatile organic compounds) and Microplastic shedding from synthetic materials on the Salomon and not on the Mephisto.
- The Mephisto is leather, textile, rubber sole where the Salomon is Gore-Tex membrane (polyurethane laminate with PTFE), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Mephisto is the one to buy.
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 waterproof boots, see the full ranking