Brooks · Running & Athletic Shoes
Brooks Women's Adrenaline GTS 24 Weatherized
Weatherized running shoe; PFAS risk unclear, Brooks lacks disclosure.
Brooks does not disclose PFAS use in this weatherproofed shoe. water-repellent coating treatments commonly contain PFAS, but Brooks provides no transparency on their specific chemistry.
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Material
Mesh, synthetic textile upper with water-repellent coating-treated weatherized coating
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
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.
PFAS
Weatherized running shoes routinely contain legacy or contemporary PFAS compounds in the water-repellent coating. Brooks does not disclose which chemistry is used (PFOA, PFOS, GenX, or alternatives), so consumer exposure risk cannot be quantified. This is the primary non-wear hazard in this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microfiber shedding during wear and wash
All synthetic mesh shoes shed microfibers; the weatherized coating may accelerate this in early use as it breaks down. This is a wear-phase and environmental concern rather than a direct health hazard to the wearer, but washing in a mesh bag can reduce microplastic release.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in synthetic textiles
No recalls or public reports of restricted azo dyes (such as those producing benzidine or other carcinogens) in Brooks shoes. Standard footwear industry compliance with EU and US textile dye restrictions appears to be met, though independent testing is not routinely disclosed.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence that Brooks applies formaldehyde-releasing resin finishes to mesh uppers in this model. Modern athletic mesh typically uses non-formaldehyde adhesives and dyes, and Brooks does not appear on any list of brands with formaldehyde contamination issues in footwear.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester components
Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst in polyester manufacture but residual levels in finished footwear are typically below migration thresholds. No specific hazard flag exists for Brooks shoes; this remains a category-wide concern only at extremely high residual concentrations, which are rare in athletic footwear.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Adrenaline GTS 24 Weatherized uses a mesh synthetic upper (likely polyester or nylon) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) surface treatment applied to the textile. water-repellent coating coatings are historically the primary consumer source of PFAS exposure in apparel, as these long-chain fluorinated compounds bond to fibers to shed water without degrading. The shoe also contains polyester elements typical of running footwear, which do not pose known hazards from the polyester itself but can off-gas volatile organic compounds during manufacturing and initial use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Brooks has not publicly committed to PFAS phase-out or disclosed whether this shoe uses legacy high-chain PFAS or newer alternatives like GenX or other short-chain compounds. The company does not appear on lists of brands with formal PFAS elimination commitments (such as those tracked by Clean Clothing Campaign or ZDHC). Brooks has focused sustainability messaging on recycling and supply chain labor but remains silent on fluorochemical use, which is a gap compared to competitors like Salomon and Merrell that have made explicit commitments.
How it compares in its category
Most weatherized running shoes in this price and performance tier use water-repellent coating coatings; non-fluorinated waterproofing alternatives (wax, silicone, or acrylic-based treatments) exist but are less durable and more common in casual or specialty brands. Brooks' lack of transparency on PFAS places it behind mid-tier competitors who have adopted ZDHC-certified or PFOA-free formulations. The shoe is otherwise standard for the category in textile composition and does not rely on hazardous dyes, antimony, or formaldehyde-based finishes at levels known to trigger concern.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cold water and air-dry to minimize microfiber shedding and preserve the water-repellent coating. Do not machine dry, iron, or expose to heat above 60 degrees Celsius, as this can degrade the synthetic upper and may alter any chemical finishes. Replace when the mesh compresses or the midsole loses responsiveness, typically after 300-500 miles of running. Store in a cool, dry place; the water-repellent coating will slowly lose water-repellency over time and after repeated laundering, which is normal and not a safety concern.
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
- Brooks has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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New Balance
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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.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
New Balance
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Limited concern
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Limited concern
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⚠Starting grade for this product type
ASICS
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Mesh textile upper with synthetic overlays, rubber outsole
Antimony in polyester fibers
Limited concern
Coating degradation and leachables from adhesives
Moderate concern
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.