Callaway · Golf Balls & Equipment
Callaway Men's Chev Soft Golf Glove
Lower PFAS risk; no high-risk coating technology identified.
Callaway's Chev Soft uses leather and synthetic materials without advertised water or stain treatments. No PFAS warning signs emerge.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
leather and synthetic materials
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
Leather is conventionally chrome-tanned; residual chromium (typically Cr III, lower toxicity) or formaldehyde-based finishing agents may be present in the material. Direct skin contact is continuous and prolonged during use. Callaway does not disclose tanning method or post-tanning finishing chemistry for this glove.
Source, FDA ↗Heavy metals
Leather dyeing may involve azo dyes (potential allergens and carcinogens) or pigments containing heavy metals such as cadmium or lead, though these are less common in athletic leather than in fashion items. Skin contact is the primary exposure route. No testing or certification of dye safety is advertised by Callaway.
Source, FDA ↗Contact dermatitis or sensitization from residual chemicals
Anecdotal reports of skin irritation from leather gloves exist across the golf market; causation is typically attributed to tanning residues, dye allergens, or individual sensitivity rather than acute toxins. The Chev Soft has no specific allergy warnings or documented excess complaints in available public records.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Synthetic fiber off-gassing (VOCs from polyester/nylon back)
Synthetic panels are not treated with flame retardants or heavy dyes typical of apparel; VOC off-gassing is minimal. No documented complaints or recalls associated with Callaway golf gloves. Direct inhalation risk is very low given the product's sporadic hand contact and outdoor use environment.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic back panels
Synthetic textiles shed microfibers; in a glove context, shedding is minimal because fibers are not abraded against skin or machine-washed. Exposure and environmental impact are negligible compared to apparel or footwear.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Chev Soft combines leather (likely sheepskin or goat leather on the palm and fingers) with synthetic materials on the back of the hand, a standard construction for golf gloves. Leather is a processed animal material; the main safety question is what chemicals were used in tanning and finishing. Synthetic panels (often polyester or nylon blends) contribute minimal leaching risk in this low-contact, non-food-contact application. No heating or microwaving occurs with golf gloves, so plastic degradation is not a concern.
The brand's record and disclosure
Callaway is a major golf equipment manufacturer with no documented safety recalls or public controversies tied to chemical hazards in gloves. The brand does not prominently disclose leather sourcing, tanning methods, or chemical certifications for this product line. No independent third-party certifications (e.g., Leather Working Group environmental standards) are advertised for the Chev Soft, but absence of certification is not the same as a safety failure. Brand transparency on materials is typical of golf apparel rather than exemplary.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves occupy a niche category with low regulatory oversight and minimal published testing data. Most competitors (Titleist, FootJoy, TaylorMade) use similar leather-synthetic blends with equivalent disclosure levels. The Chev Soft is not marketed as organic, vegan, or chemically treated in any proprietary way, placing it squarely in the mainstream segment. No published safety differentiator exists between this glove and widely available alternatives.
If you buy it
Hand-wash in cool water with mild soap; avoid bleach and machine drying, which can degrade both leather and synthetic seams. Replace when the palm leather shows visible wear or loss of grip, typically after 20-40 rounds of golf depending on grip pressure and weather. Store in a cool, dry place; prolonged sun exposure or heat will crack the leather. Do not use solvents or harsh chemicals to clean; these may strip protective finishes or increase leaching of tanning residues.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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.