Callaway · Golf Balls & Equipment
Callaway Golf Gloves 3-Pack Premium Cabretta Leather
Lower concern; Cabretta leather requires no PFAS treatment.
Premium Cabretta leather naturally resists PFAS exposure without added coatings. Callaway makes no PFAS claims about this product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Cabretta leather, likely tannin-tanned
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.
Heavy metals
Tannin-tanned leather is lower-risk than chrome tanning, but leather dyes and finishing treatments can contain lead or cadmium. No test data or certifications are on record for these specific gloves; cabretta sourcing and tannery practices are not disclosed by Callaway.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather finishing may involve formaldehyde-based resins for water resistance or durability. The absence of a visible water-repellent coating (durable water-resistant) finish on premium cabretta gloves suggests lower formaldehyde use, but Callaway does not publish finish specifications.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and colorant allergens
Cabretta leather is typically dyed during tanning. Azo dyes banned in many textiles are still legal in leather in many regions. Hand contact with the glove during use and break-in may expose sensitive individuals to dye residues; no restricted dye list is published by Callaway.
Skin sensitization from leather residues or sizing agents
New leather gloves may contain sizing agents, salt, or tanning residue that irritate sensitive skin during the first few wears. This is not specific to Callaway but common to all leather gloves; hand-washing before first use can reduce risk.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Adhesive off-gassing from palm padding or stitching
Cabretta gloves use minimal adhesives compared to synthetic alternatives. No established off-gassing complaints or VOC data are on record for Callaway golf gloves; leather itself does not off-gas volatile organic compounds significantly.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Cabretta leather is a soft, fine-grain goatskin prized for golf gloves because it offers grip and breathability without thick synthetic coatings. Tannin-tanned leather (the likely process here) uses plant-derived tannins rather than chromium salts, which is a different traditional approach. The glove's structure, simple leather with minimal adhesives or dyes, means fewer synthetic chemicals are embedded in the product you touch.
The brand's record and disclosure
Callaway is a major golf equipment manufacturer with no public chemical disclosure program or certifications (e.g., Bluesign, GOTS) on record for gloves. The brand has not announced sourcing standards, leather supplier audits, or restricted substance lists specific to apparel. No significant product safety recalls or chemical contamination incidents are established for Callaway golf gloves in publicly available databases.
How it compares in its category
Cabretta leather gloves sit at the premium end of golf glove materials; synthetic alternatives (microfiber, polyurethane) often carry higher phthalate and VOC risks. Natural leather avoids the microplastic shedding risk of synthetic polymers. However, without transparent tannery certification or dye restrictions, Callaway gloves offer no formal assurance against heavy-metal dyes or formaldehyde resins common in lower-tier leather goods.
If you buy it
Store gloves in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent leather degradation and any potential leaching of residual tanning chemicals. Wash hands after use if you have sensitive skin, as some tanning residues or dyes may transfer slightly during break-in. Replace gloves when the grip surface wears or cracks; intact leather is your best barrier. No special cleaning is needed beyond occasional hand-washing with the glove.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 75% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Callaway has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.