FootJoy · Golf Balls & Equipment
FootJoy WeatherSof Golf Glove
Golf glove with water-repellent coating, PFAS risk unclear due to no disclosure.
FootJoy WeatherSof uses water-resistant treated leather but provides no PFAS transparency. Most golf gloves use water-repellent coating finishes that commonly contain PFAS, though specific formula remains unknown.
The better-graded swap
OnCore
ONCORE MIX 1 DOZEN RECYCLED GOLF BALLS Value (AAA)
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
Cabretta leather with water-resistant treatment
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.
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating composition
Acushnet does not disclose whether WeatherSof gloves use PFAS-based, fluorine-free, or hybrid water-repellent coating technology. Undisclosed coatings on skin-contact leather warrant caution, though migration risk from intact gloves is low compared to textiles.
Coating degradation and product replacement frequency
Water-resistant finishes on golf gloves degrade within 1-2 seasons; frequent replacement increases lifetime chemical exposure per use-hour. No data exists on degradation byproducts or whether breakdown releases coating monomers into sweat or environment.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cabretta leather is conventionally chrome-tanned; no safety alerts exist for FootJoy gloves specifically. Residual chrome or formaldehyde levels in mainstream golf gloves are not publicly tested, but standards-compliant tanning poses negligible dermal risk.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
FootJoy does not disclose adhesive or finish formulations. Standard leather glove manufacturing typically avoids high-formaldehyde inputs, and no product-specific complaints are documented.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Cabretta is usually dyed with acid dyes (low azo content) and presents minimal sensitization risk. No color-specific safety data or dermatological warnings exist for this glove line.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
FootJoy WeatherSof uses Cabretta leather, a soft sheepskin commonly treated for water and sweat resistance in golf gloves. The water-resistant finish is the critical unknown, it is almost certainly a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating, which historically relied on PFAS compounds, though some modern formulations use fluorine-free or short-chain alternatives. Acushnet has not publicly disclosed the specific water-repellent coating chemistry, making independent assessment of non-PFAS hazards difficult. Cabretta leather itself poses minimal chemical risk if tanned conventionally, though chrome tanning is standard in this material class.
The brand's record and disclosure
Acushnet (FootJoy's parent) has not published a comprehensive chemical disclosure policy or PFAS phase-out timeline as of public records. The company remains silent on water-resistant coating formulations across its apparel lines. No major recalls or third-party safety alerts are on record for this specific glove model. This opacity is typical of mid-tier sports brands but contrasts with competitors (Titleist, Callaway) that have begun addressing sustainable chemistry in some product lines.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves universally require water-resistant or moisture-wicking treatments, making this a category where water-repellent coating coatings are nearly unavoidable. FootJoy's Cabretta leather construction is a premium choice compared to synthetic microfiber alternatives, which introduce microplastic and off-gassing risks instead. Most competitors at this price point use identical or similar undisclosed water-repellent coating systems. Gloves certified by OEKO-TEX or Bluesign (which restrict PFAS) are rare in golf but available from niche brands.
If you buy it
Wash gloves gently in cool water and allow air-dry; machine washing or heat exposure may degrade the water-resistant coating prematurely. Avoid prolonged contact with skin while wet, as residual coating chemicals could migrate onto hands, especially if glove is damaged or heavily used in heat. Replace gloves every 1-2 seasons or when water beading stops, as coating breakdown increases direct leather contact with sweat and contaminants. Store in a dry place away from direct sunlight to slow degradation of both leather and finish.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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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Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Chromium in leather tanning residue
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
Lady Golf Glove
Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching
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.