Altra Timp Hiker GTX Men's Hiking Boots Grey Brown
GTX membrane likely contains PFAS; Altra provides no PFAS disclosure.
GORE-TEX GTX waterproofing typically relies on Teflon-family coating including PFAS. Altra does not disclose PFAS use or offer PFAS-free alternatives for this boot model.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Textile upper with GORE-TEX GTX waterproof membrane
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
Aqua Pure
3M Aqua-Pure AP802B Whole House Filter Housing
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
What Altra Timp Hiker GTX Men's Hiking Boots is made of, ingredients and materials
Altra Timp Hiker GTX combines a textile upper (likely polyester or nylon blend) with a GORE-TEX laminated waterproof membrane. GORE-TEX is a microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon-type coating) film; the waterproofing function historically relies on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) in the membrane or surrounding layers to repel water and oil. The textile upper may also contain polyester, which can carry antimony as a catalyst residue. Dyes and finishing treatments on the fabric may include azo dyes or formaldehyde-based resins, though modern hiking boots typically use lower-toxicity finishes.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
PFAS
GORE-TEX GTX membrane is not confirmed PFAS-free by Altra or Gore. Historical GORE-TEX formulations contained PFOA or related perfluorinated compounds; newer versions may use shorter-chain PFAS. No independent test results are available for this specific boot model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester fibers
If the textile upper is polyester (common in hiking boots), antimony trioxide may be present as a catalyst residue at levels typically under 500 ppm. Migration risk is low in a dry footwear context, but not eliminated. No specific testing for this model is on record.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Textile dyes, water repellents, and mildew inhibitors applied during manufacturing may include formaldehyde releasers. Concentrations in finished footwear are usually below regulated thresholds, and off-gassing diminishes after initial wear. No formaldehyde certification is listed for this boot.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dye residues
The grey-brown coloring may involve azo dyes, which can break down to aromatic amines under sweat or friction. Modern hiking boot dyes are usually restricted azo, but not always third-party verified. No specific dye testing is published for Altra boots.
Coating degradation over time
GORE-TEX membranes can delaminate or lose hydrophobic surface properties after 2-4 years of use, exposing the wearer to water saturation and increased microbe growth if moisture accumulates inside. This is normal wear, not a design flaw, and replacement or retreatment is typical maintenance.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Altra Running does not publicly disclose PFAS content in footwear or provide third-party testing results for hazardous substances. The brand has not issued statements on PFAS phase-out, transition timelines, or safer waterproofing alternatives. No major recalls or chemical safety controversies are on record for Altra footwear. Altra's parent company (Golden Harper) does not appear to have published a chemical management policy or restricted substance list specific to hiking boots.
How it compares in its category
GORE-TEX GTX remains the industry standard for hiking boot waterproofing and is used by most premium brands (Salomon, Merrell, La Sportiva, etc.), making this product typical rather than distinctive in PFAS exposure risk within the category. Some competitors now offer GORE-TEX Paclite or alternatives like eVent or Paragon (non-PFAS membranes), though they are less common in rugged hiking boots. Most textile hiking boots share similar antimony and formaldehyde residue profiles; Altra's materials and finishes are not known to be above or below industry norms. No certification (LEED, Cradle to Cradle, Oeko-Tex) is listed for this model.
If you buy it
Expect the boots to remain waterproof for 2-4 years with moderate use; after that, the GTX membrane may lose performance without replacement. Avoid machine washing or prolonged water immersion; rinse with cool water and dry at room temperature to preserve the membrane. Reapply hydrophobic treatments (typically silicone or fluorinated sprays) every 6-12 months to maintain water shedding. If concerned about PFAS, consider boots with non-fluorinated waterproof membranes, or accept the trade-off of reduced waterproofing performance. Storage in a cool, dry place extends membrane life.
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
- Altra has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Boots
Mephisto
Men Mephisto Curt Mt SNEAKER
- leather, textile, rubber sole
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing from adhesives
Vasque
Hiking shoes Vasque Women's Horizon Mid
- Leather/nubuck upper, synthetic/rubber sole, no coating disclosed
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes (leather/textile coloring)
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof boots 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.