Bridgestone · Golf Balls & Equipment
Bridgestone Clima-Grip Rain Golf Gloves
Water-resistant glove; PFAS risk unclear without brand disclosure.
Leather or synthetic with waterproof treatment for wet conditions. Bridgestone doesn't confirm PFAS-free alternatives.
The better-graded swap
Callaway
Callaway Men's Chev Soft Golf Glove
85/100 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 or synthetic leather with waterproof treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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
Golf rain gloves typically require a water-repellent coating. Fluorinated DWRs containing PFAS have historically dominated performance sportswear, though fluorine-free alternatives exist. Bridgestone has not disclosed which type is used in Clima-Grip, making this a key unresolved risk.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and particle/fume release during use and care
Water-repellent coatings degrade over time and with heat exposure. If the finish contains PFAS or other volatile components, wear and washing could release small amounts. Risk is low under normal use but rises if gloves are machine-washed or heated.
What’s reassuring
Synthetic-leather coating or adhesive leachables (if polyurethane or PVC-based)
If the glove uses polyurethane or PVC synthetic leather, trace amounts of unreacted monomers or plasticizers could theoretically migrate with sweat or rain exposure, though no reported incidents or test results specific to Bridgestone golf gloves are on record.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Genuine leather tanning can involve formaldehyde-based resins or cross-linkers. No specific test data or recalls for Bridgestone Clima-Grip exist, but leather goods with poor tanning controls have occasionally tested positive for elevated formaldehyde.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Bridgestone Clima-Grip Rain gloves use either genuine leather or synthetic leather (likely polyurethane or PVC) with a waterproof treatment applied to the surface. The waterproofing layer is the critical unknown, most water-resistant apparel uses water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishes, and fluorinated DWRs (containing PFAS) have historically been common in performance golf gear. Without Bridgestone's disclosure, the specific chemistry of the Clima-Grip finish cannot be confirmed as PFAS-free or PFAS-containing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Bridgestone does not publicly disclose PFAS use in sporting goods or apparel on readily available sources, nor do they appear to have published a PFAS elimination commitment or third-party safety certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign) for this product line. The brand is primarily known for automotive and industrial tires; apparel transparency is not a documented strength. Contacting Bridgestone directly for coating composition would be the only way to verify PFAS status.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves vary widely in waterproofing approach. Premium brands (Callaway, Titleist, FootJoy) increasingly market PFAS-free or fluorine-free water-repellent coating finishes, though not all disclose actively. Bridgestone's silence on this point places it in the middle of the market uncertainty range. Alternatives using wax-based or silicone-based water resistance exist but are less common in rain-specific performance gloves.
If you buy it
Request a material safety data sheet (MSDS) or composition statement from the retailer or Bridgestone before purchase to clarify the waterproof coating. If acquired, hand-wash in cool water and air-dry; do not machine wash or tumble-dry, as heat may degrade the coating and could potentially release fume or particles if PFAS-based finishes are present. Replace when water beading diminishes or cracks appear in the coating. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to extend coating 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
- Bridgestone has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Golf Balls & Equipment
Vice Golf
Vice Drip Golf Balls
synthetic polymer core with urethane/elastomer cover
PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
Men's Pair Golf Gloves
Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Chromium in leather tanning residue
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
Lady Golf Glove
Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic leather
Limited concern
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More golf balls & equipment 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.