FootJoy · Golf Balls & Equipment
FootJoy Golf RainGrip Gloves
Skip until brand discloses water-repellent coating treatment chemistry.
Golf gloves with waterproof grip treatment. Acushnet discloses no PFAS information, and water-repellent coating coatings commonly use PFAS, but treatment specifics remain unknown.
The better-graded swap
Honma
(254) Honma Golf Balls Set Of 9
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic leather/microfiber with grip coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Acushnet has not disclosed whether this glove's water-repellent finish uses traditional PFAS (PFOA/PFOS), short-chain PFAS alternatives, or non-fluorine methods. Without transparency, legacy PFAS exposure cannot be ruled out, particularly if the glove is worn frequently and in direct contact with skin on warm days.
Source, ATSDR ↗Grip coating degradation and particle release
The grip coating (likely rubber or synthetic polymer composite) can crack and peel with age, repeated washing, or heat exposure. Degradation particles are unlikely to pose acute toxicity risk but may be inhaled or ingested in trace amounts; replacement when visual degradation occurs is the appropriate mitigation.
What’s reassuring
Synthetic microfiber shedding under mechanical stress
Polyester microfiber gloves do not have established documented risk of significant microfiber release during normal golfing use (low abrasion compared to washing or athletic friction). No recalls or complaints specific to FootJoy gloves for microfiber shedding have been reported.
Azo dyes in synthetic leather or colored microfiber
Synthetic leather and polyester microfiber are standard textile materials; FootJoy does not carry known associations with problematic azo dye use. No documented recalls or safety concerns specific to dye chemistry in this product line.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Synthetic microfiber golf gloves are not typically finished with formaldehyde-based resins (unlike wrinkle-resistant cotton garments). No documented formaldehyde safety concerns have been reported for FootJoy gloves.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
FootJoy RainGrip gloves use synthetic microfiber leather with a grip-enhancing coating system designed to repel water while maintaining tactile feedback on club handles. Synthetic microfiber itself is polyester-based and does not inherently present lead, cadmium, or formaldehyde concerns at typical use levels. The critical unknown is the water-resistant finish (water-repellent coating), this is where PFAS compounds are commonly applied to synthetic sportswear, and Acushnet has not publicly disclosed whether this glove uses legacy PFAS, fluorine-free alternatives, or silicone-based water repellency.
The brand's record and disclosure
Acushnet (FootJoy's parent company) has not published a detailed PFAS or chemical management policy available in public databases as of known record. The brand has not voluntarily disclosed water-repellent coating chemistry for golf apparel products or committed to PFAS phase-out timelines comparable to outdoor/athletic brands like Patagonia or Arc'teryx. No major recalls or hazard complaints specific to FootJoy gloves for chemical contamination have been documented; however, silence on water-repellent coating treatment is a notable transparency gap for a premium sports brand.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves are a niche category with limited third-party testing data. Compared to general synthetic sportswear, golf gloves see lower-intensity and lower-frequency water exposure (occasional rain during rounds rather than immersion or sweat saturation), which may reduce both leaching risk and the practical need for persistent PFAS-based water repellency. Many competitors (e.g., Titleist, TaylorMade) also do not publicly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry, making this glove typical in the lack of transparency rather than an outlier.
If you buy it
Wash gloves by hand in cool water and air-dry away from direct heat; avoid machine washing and hot dryers, which can degrade grip coatings and potentially accelerate any coating degradation that might release particles. Replace gloves when grip coating visibly peels, cracks, or loses water repellency, typically after one to three seasons depending on frequency of use and care. Consider requesting Acushnet's chemical disclosure or certification (e.g., OEKO-TEX, bluesign) before purchase if PFAS avoidance is a priority; storing in a dry place prolongs life and reduces need for re-waterproofing.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- FootJoy has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Golf Balls & Equipment
Vice Golf
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synthetic polymer core with urethane/elastomer cover
PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
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Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
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Heavy metals
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
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Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic leather
Limited concern
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More golf balls & equipment grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.