Brooks · Synthetic Athletic Insoles & Orthotics
Brooks Glycerin Gts 22 Hoka Insoles Mens 8.5 Extra Wide 4e
Typical foam insole without known PFAS triggers.
Foam and textile insoles without water-resistant or stain-guard treatments applied. Brooks gives no PFAS disclosure for this product line, but no high-risk signs present.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Foam cushioning, textile mesh upper, thermoplastic heel counter
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Brooks Glycerin Gts 22 Hoka Extra Wide 4e is made of, ingredients and materials
Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 insoles use polyurethane or EVA foam cushioning, a thermoplastic heel counter, and a textile mesh upper. These materials are industry standard for athletic insoles and pose minimal acute chemical risk under normal use. Foam cushioning does not typically leach harmful substances into skin unless degraded or exposed to prolonged heat above 60°C, which foot use rarely exceeds.
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.
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Polyurethane and EVA foams degrade over time and with heat or UV exposure, potentially releasing small particles. In athletic use, this is common and not acutely hazardous, but replacement every 12 months is prudent to minimize chronic exposure.
Moisture retention and mold growth
Foam insoles retain sweat and moisture, creating risk for mold or bacterial growth if not dried regularly. This is a hygiene issue rather than chemical hazard, but can be mitigated by air-drying insoles after use and replacing when odor or visible discoloration appears.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No specific reports of formaldehyde-release issues in Brooks insole textiles. Standard athletic footwear textiles are not a major formaldehyde source, but no third-party testing of this product is publicly available.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in mesh upper
No established recalls or safety alerts for azo dyes in Brooks Glycerin insoles. Textile mesh is typically low-dye, and foot contact does not typically trigger leaching even if restricted azo dyes are present.
Thermoplastic heel counter leachables
Thermoplastic materials (TPE, TPU) in heel counters do not have a known hazard profile for skin contact under normal wear. No recalls or chemical safety issues reported for this component in Brooks footwear.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Brooks does not publicly disclose PFAS content in footwear or insoles, nor do they appear to have faced major recalls or safety controversies tied to chemical hazards in this product line. The company has not sought external chemical certifications (OEKO-TEX, bluesign) for insoles, limiting transparency but also suggesting standard manufacturing without known regulatory flags.
How it compares in its category
Athletic insoles across brands (New Balance, ASICS, Superfeet) typically use similar foam and textile blends without differential hazard profiles. Brooks Glycerin insoles are midrange in terms of chemical disclosure; premium brands offer third-party testing, while budget alternatives offer no transparency. This product sits in the typical risk band for casual or athletic footwear insoles.
If you buy it
Keep insoles dry and avoid prolonged heat exposure above 65°C (e.g., do not leave in direct sun or tumble dry). Replace annually or when foam compression becomes visible, as degraded foam may shed particles. Store in a cool, dry location; moisture can degrade adhesives and foam integrity. No special cleaning needed beyond gentle hand wash with mild soap if soiled.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Brooks has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics 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.