ASICS · Running & Athletic Shoes
ASICS Men's GEL-VENTURE 11 WATERPROOF
Waterproof hiking shoe; water-repellent coating likely contains PFAS, but unconfirmed.
ASICS does not disclose PFAS use or restrictions in this waterproof shoe. The waterproofing treatment is typical of water-repellent coating-coated footwear, often PFAS-based, but no public lab testing or brand statement available.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Textile upper with unspecified waterproof coating/water-repellent coating treatment
Lab data
No public lab test
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What ASICS Men's GEL-VENTURE 11 WATERPROOF is made of, ingredients and materials
The GEL-VENTURE 11 uses a textile upper with an unspecified waterproof or water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. water-repellent coating treatments on outdoor footwear typically rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to create water-shedding properties; ASICS has not publicly disclosed the specific chemistry of this shoe's coating. The textile substrate itself is not a known concern; the coating is the primary chemical consideration.
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.
Coating degradation and leachates from water-repellent coating
As the unspecified water-repellent coating degrades over 1-2 years of use, fragments or breakdown products may shed into soil or water. If the coating is fluorinated (likely), degradation products may persist in the environment; direct skin contact risk from shed particles is low but not zero.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in synthetic textiles
No recalls or warnings for azo dyes in ASICS footwear are established. Textile dyeing in athletic shoes is regulated in most markets, and no specific concern has been reported for this model.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Textile finishing processes may include formaldehyde-based resins to set shape and water-repellency; ASICS does not disclose whether this shoe uses such treatments. No specific formaldehyde concern has been reported for this product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
If the textile upper includes polyester, antimony may be present as a catalyst residue from polyester synthesis. ASICS does not disclose antimony levels; trace amounts in polyester are typically below concern thresholds but are not routinely tested or disclosed.
Adhesive and solvent residues
Athletic shoe assembly typically uses polyurethane or epoxy adhesives; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from manufacturing solvents may off-gas briefly after purchase. No specific safety concern has been established for ASICS footwear in this regard.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
ASICS has not published a clear PFAS policy or commitment to phasing out fluorinated water-repellent treatments in footwear. The company does not routinely disclose coating chemistry on product pages or marketing materials. No major recalls or regulatory actions specific to textile hazards in ASICS footwear are on record. This silence on chemical composition is typical for the athletic footwear industry but reflects limited transparency.
How it compares in its category
Most waterproof hiking and outdoor shoes in this price range use fluorinated water-repellent coating coatings; ASICS is not unique in this regard. Some competitors (e.g.Certain Salomon or Merrell models now offer water repellency based on wax or silicone rather than fluorinated compounds, though availability and durability vary. The GEL-VENTURE 11's coating durability and water resistance are likely competitive, but the chemical trade-off is unspecified and unresolved.
If you buy it
Avoid washing in hot water or high-heat drying; air-dry after wet use to preserve the coating. Do not machine wash; hand-clean with cool water and mild soap only. Reapply water-repellent coating periodically if water no longer beads on the surface (typically after 1-2 seasons of heavy use). Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to slow coating breakdown.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- ASICS has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to ASICS Men's GEL-VENTURE 11 WATERPROOF?
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4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Mesh upper, Fresh Foam midsole, rubber outsole
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2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore running & athletic shoes 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.