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.
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Material
Textile upper with unspecified waterproof coating/water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement 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.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
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.
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 PFAS-free wax or silicone-based water repellency, 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 we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- ASICS has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Running & Athletic Shoes
New Balance
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Mesh upper, Fresh Foam midsole, rubber outsole
Azo dyes and color-based toxins
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Standard athletic shoe with no known PFAS triggers, but no brand disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Diadora
Atomo V7000-2
Textile fabric, likely polyester or nylon blend
Azo dyes and synthetic dyes
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester fibers
Limited concern
Adhesive and rubber off-gassing
Limited concern
No public PFAS disclosure; lower concern but unverified.
⚠Risky category by default
More 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.