ASICS · Running & Athletic Shoes
ASICS Men's Trail Scout 3
Trail shoe with likely water-repellent coating. ASICS makes no PFAS disclosure.
ASICS Trail Scout 3 likely uses water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment typical of outdoor footwear, which may contain PFAS. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS composition or commitments.
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Material
Mesh textile upper with synthetic overlays, rubber outsole; water-repellent coating treated
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Synthetic polyurethane or polyester overlays and shoe construction adhesives may contain formaldehyde-releasing resins; off-gassing risk is highest in the first weeks after purchase and minimized by ventilation during wear.
Source: ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in mesh or overlay textiles
The mesh upper and colored synthetic overlays may use azo dyes, which are restricted in some jurisdictions but remain common in athletic footwear; dermal contact risk is low but potential if dyes bleed in high-sweat or wet conditions.
water-repellent coating durability and reapplication chemicals
The water-repellent coating finish degrades with washing and wear; ASICS does not specify whether it is PFAS-free or fluorinated, and reapplication products sold for consumers often contain PFAS or other fluorinated compounds, creating a secondary exposure pathway.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester components
Polyester mesh and overlays may contain antimony (catalyst used in polyester production), but no specific contamination has been documented in ASICS footwear; residual levels in finished fabric are typically negligible.
Rubber outsole leachables
Synthetic rubber outsoles can leach processing chemicals in wet conditions or when new; no specific contaminant recalls are on record for ASICS trail shoes, and leaching risk is minimal during typical outdoor wear.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Trail Scout 3 upper is mesh textile (breathable polyester or nylon blend) with synthetic overlays for reinforcement, typical of trail shoes designed to shed water and resist abrasion. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is applied to the outer surface to shed rain without waterproof membranes that trap heat. Synthetic overlays and the rubber outsole add durability but are the primary locations where processing chemicals and adhesives concentrate during manufacturing.
The brand's record and disclosure
ASICS has not publicly disclosed PFAS use or phase-out plans as of available records, despite widespread industry adoption of water-repellent coating coatings that often rely on PFAS chemistry. The brand maintains general environmental commitments but does not provide material-level transparency on fluorinated treatments in footwear. This silence is notable given competitor disclosure efforts from brands like Patagonia and The North Face, placing ASICS in the middle-to-lower transparency tier for athletic apparel.
How it compares in its category
Trail running shoes universally use water-repellent coating treatments; ASICS' approach is standard for the category with no documented differentiation toward non-PFAS alternatives. Performance-focused trail shoes from competitors (Salomon, Merrell, Nike) similarly lack clear PFAS disclosure, so the Trail Scout 3 is neither a standout risk nor a safer choice on this basis. Buyers seeking PFAS-free footwear would need to seek specialty brands explicitly avoiding fluorinated treatments, which remain niche in this price and performance segment.
If you buy it
Rinse the shoe exterior after muddy or saltwater exposure to minimize chemical buildup on the water-repellent coating surface, though the coating itself is designed to withstand washing. Avoid heat drying (direct sun or dryers) as high temperatures can degrade synthetic overlays and potentially accelerate finish breakdown. Replace the shoe every 300-500 miles or when outsole tread flattens to 50% original depth, at which point the water-repellent coating is typically also degraded. Store in a cool, dry place to extend the life of the textile and adhesives.
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
Women's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Shoes
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.