Black Diamond · Waterproof Winter Gloves
Black Diamond Men's Legend Gloves
Avoid unless Black Diamond discloses water-repellent coating formula, outdoor gloves commonly use PFAS-based water repellents.
These mountaineering gloves use water-repellent coating treatment, a material class historically reliant on PFAS. Black Diamond makes no public statement on PFAS avoidance or chemistry.
The better-graded swap
Patagonia
Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's
90/100 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
Leather/synthetic upper with water-repellent coating-treated exterior
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Black Diamond Men's Legend Gloves is made of, ingredients and materials
The Legend uses leather or leather-synthetic blends on the exterior with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the shell. Leather itself poses minimal chemical hazards in gloves, but the water-repellent coating is the critical unknown, outdoor brands commonly apply PFAS-based fluorochemical treatments (perfluorinated compounds) to achieve water beading, though some now use PFAS-free alternatives. The interior lining material (fleece, wool, or synthetic) is not publicly detailed but typical for winter gloves and low-risk if not chemically treated. Degradation of the water-repellent coating over time through washing or use will not create hazardous byproducts, but will reduce water resistance.
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.
PFAS
The water-repellent finish is likely fluorochemical-based, but alternatives without fluorochemical water repellents are increasingly available. Black Diamond has not disclosed which formulation is used in the Legend Gloves, creating uncertainty about persistent organic pollutants.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in colored textiles
Black dyes on the exterior shell may include azo compounds, which can break down under UV or sweat to release carcinogenic amines. Leather is often dyed post-tanning; testing is rare for gloves. Risk is low in practice (gloves are worn, not ingested), but sensitivity to dye bleeding is possible.
Coating degradation and re-treatment needs
As the water-repellent coating wears, users may resort to commercial re-treatments; if aftermarket products contain legacy PFAS or are applied incorrectly indoors, exposure risk increases. This is a usage-dependent hazard rather than a manufacturing flaw.
What’s reassuring
Leather tanning residues
Leather gloves commonly use chromium-based or vegetable tanning; no specific contamination or allergic reactions are documented for Black Diamond Legend models. Standard leather handling (avoid prolonged contact with skin if sensitive to tannins) applies.
Synthetic lining off-gassing
Interior fleece or polyester linings may contain trace formaldehyde or other volatile organics, but winter gloves are worn over skin (not in contact with face/mouth) and are well-ventilated, minimizing inhalation risk. No reported incidents for this product.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Black Diamond (owned by Clarus Corp) has not publicly disclosed its water-repellent coating chemistry for this model or confirmed PFAS-free status across its glove line as of available records. The brand does not maintain a transparent chemical disclosure policy comparable to leading outdoor apparel makers (e.g., Patagonia, Arc'teryx). No recalls or documented safety incidents specific to the Legend Gloves are on record. A direct inquiry to Black Diamond's customer service about water-repellent coating composition is the only way to confirm whether this product uses legacy PFAS or newer alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Winter gloves at Black Diamond's price point and performance tier typically carry the same water-repellent coating disclosure gap as competitors; this is not unique to the Legend. Budget alternatives often use untreated synthetic shells or older Teflon-type coating-based coatings, while premium outdoor brands (Rab, Hestra, some Patagonia lines) increasingly advertise PFAS-free water-repellent coating or detailed chemistry. The Legend sits in the mid-premium segment where PFAS transparency is still uncommon, making it representative of the broader industry standard rather than an outlier.
If you buy it
Wash the gloves by hand in cool water with mild detergent to preserve the water-repellent coating as long as possible; machine washing or hot water will degrade it faster. Never dry-clean or expose to sustained heat above 60°C (140°F), as this can break down the coating. Once the water-repellent coating stops working after 2-4 seasons of regular use, you can retreat the gloves with aftermarket PFAS-free water-repellent coating products (e.g., Nikwax) or retire them. Before purchasing, email Black Diamond directly asking whether the water-repellent coating is PFAS-free or legacy fluorochemical; a clear answer will inform your decision.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Black Diamond has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Winter Gloves
Patagonia
Better Sweater Gloves Patagonia Women's
- Polyester fleece (recycled)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Patagonia
R4 Yulex Regulator Three Finger Mitts
- Yulex (synthetic rubber), neoprene-free alternative
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Allergic contact dermatitis (rubber/guayule sensitivity)
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Patagonia
Synchilla Gloves
- Polyester fleece (Synchilla®); no water-repellent treatment disclosed
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Microplastics
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
More waterproof winter gloves 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.