Brooks · Running & Athletic Shoes
Staple x Brooks Cascadia 1 men
Running shoe with water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure
Brooks does not disclose PFAS use in this trail runner. Synthetic uppers and waterproof treatments typically contain PFCs, but no public testing or brand confirmation available.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Mesh/textile upper with synthetic waterproof treatment, rubber sole
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Staple x Brooks Cascadia 1 men is made of, ingredients and materials
The Cascadia 1 upper uses mesh and synthetic textiles with a waterproof/water-resistant (water-repellent coating) coating, plus rubber sole. water-repellent coating treatments on athletic footwear are often fluorochemical-based (PFAS), though Brooks does not publicly specify the chemistry. The mesh itself carries standard textile processing risks, dyes, resins, and finishing chemicals applied during manufacture. Rubber soles can leach heavy metals or off-gas volatile compounds if not cured properly, though this risk is typically low in established brands.
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.
Azo dyes and synthetic textile finishing
Mesh upper and synthetic components typically undergo dyeing and chemical finishing (formaldehyde-based resins, azo dyes). No test data on record for this specific model, but industry-standard practice suggests low but non-zero risk, especially if shoe is new and off-gassing occurs during break-in.
PFAS
Water-resistant treatments on athletic footwear are frequently fluorochemical-based (C8/PFOA, C6, or GenX). Brooks does not disclose the water-repellent coating chemistry for the Cascadia 1. This is graded separately as PFAS but noted here as confirmed exposure route.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Shoe construction typically uses adhesives and synthetic lining materials that may release low levels of formaldehyde, particularly in synthetic/polyester-heavy uppers. No specific testing data exists for the Cascadia 1; risk is typical for the category.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microfiber shedding from synthetic upper
Synthetic mesh and polyester textiles can shed microplastic fibers during wear and washing. Washing in machines increases shedding; hand-rinsing reduces this. Contribution to environmental microplastic load is not quantified for this product.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or contamination reports on record for Brooks rubber soles. Standard manufacturing for major brands includes curing processes that minimize leachate risk, but testing data is not publicly available for this model.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Brooks does not publicly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry on the Cascadia line or provide PFAS-free certifications. The brand has not signed major chemical transparency pledges like the Cradle to Cradle Material Health Assessment or committed to PFAS phase-out timelines that competitors (Adidas, Salomon in some lines) have announced. No major recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this shoe model.
How it compares in its category
Most premium running shoes at this price point use water-repellent coating coatings; Brooks' silence on chemistry is common but not industry-leading. Brands like Salomon and some Adidas models now disclose fluorine-free or PFAS-free water-repellent coating, raising the baseline. The Cascadia 1 is competitive on durability and fit but lags on chemical transparency relative to increasing consumer demand and regulatory pressure in EU/US markets.
If you buy it
Wear for intended use (running/trail) without high-heat exposure. Do not machine-wash with hot water; hand-rinse if needed and air-dry away from direct heat, as this can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially mobilize leachables. Replace insoles or treat them separately if foot sensitivity arises. Monitor for signs of coating wear (loss of water beading) after 300-500 miles; replace the shoe at that point rather than re-treating it with aftermarket water-repellent coating.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- 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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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.