Callaway · Golf Balls & Equipment
Callaway Men's X-Tech Golf Glove
Water-resistant glove likely using water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unconfirmed.
X-Tech features synthetic leather, microfiber, and moisture-wicking with water resistance. Callaway doesn't disclose water-repellent coating composition or PFAS.
The better-graded swap
Pinnacle
Pinnacle Golf Balls Mint Quality 50 Pack
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic leather, microfiber, moisture-wicking fabric with water-resistant treatment
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Callaway does not disclose whether the water-resistant treatment uses perfluorinated compounds (PFOA/PFOS class) or PFAS alternatives. Skin contact over prolonged use may result in trace absorption, though risk is low for a sports glove versus food packaging or fabric worn directly against skin for hours daily.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation under heat or sweat
Repeated washing, sweat exposure, and UV during outdoor play may cause the water-resistant coating to break down, potentially releasing coating fragments or changing the product's safety profile over time. This is accelerated wear, not acute toxicity, but signals eventual replacement need.
Allergic contact dermatitis from finish or dyes
Sensitive skin may react to uncertified dyes, adhesives, or finish chemicals in the microfiber or synthetic leather. No published sensitizer testing specific to this glove; risk is individual and low to moderate compared to dyed textiles worn against large skin areas.
What’s reassuring
Synthetic leather binder chemicals and plasticizers
Polyurethane or PVC synthetic leather can release trace phthalates or other plasticizers during manufacturing and early use. No specific recalls or complaints are documented for this product; risk is typical for synthetic athletic gloves.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Microfiber backing and color treatments may use formaldehyde-releasing resins as crosslinkers. No OEKO-TEX or similar certification available for this product, so direct verification is not possible; standard practice in budget-to-mid athletic apparel.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Callaway X-Tech uses synthetic leather (likely polyurethane or PVC) bonded to microfiber backing with a water-resistant topcoat treatment. Synthetic leather avoids heavy-metal tanning chemicals found in chromium-tanned leather but relies on chemical binders and coatings for durability and water resistance. The moisture-wicking fabric layer typically uses polyester or nylon with finish treatments applied to repel sweat and rain; these finishes often include fluorinated compounds (PFAS class) or silicone-based alternatives, though Callaway's exact chemistry is not publicly disclosed.
The brand's record and disclosure
Callaway does not publicly disclose material safety certifications, PFAS presence, or formaldehyde/dye testing for apparel products on their website or product labels. No major safety recalls for this glove model are on record with CPSC. The brand has not adopted transparent chemical disclosure standards like Bluesign or OEKO-TEX certification common in premium activewear, suggesting either no third-party testing or no commitment to public reporting.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves in this price tier typically use synthetic leather with water-resistant coatings; Callaway's construction is standard for the market. Premium alternatives (e.g.Footjoy, TaylorMade rarely disclose PFAS or other finish chemistry either, making this product neither exceptionally risky nor distinctly different from competitors regarding disclosed PFAS information. The X-Tech line is positioned as mid-to-premium with emphasis on moisture management, which usually means aggressive chemical treatments but no published hazard data.
If you buy it
Wash the glove in cool water with mild detergent after heavy use or at season end; avoid chlorine bleach and high heat dryers, which can degrade synthetic leather and release coating residues. Do not treat the glove with additional waterproofing sprays unless they explicitly state no PFAS in the formulation. Store in a cool, dry place; replace when the synthetic leather shows cracking, peeling, or loss of grip, typically after 1-2 seasons of regular play. If skin irritation develops, discontinue use and rinse the glove thoroughly.
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
- Callaway has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Golf Balls & Equipment
Vice Golf
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synthetic polymer core with urethane/elastomer cover
PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
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Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Chromium in leather tanning residue
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
Lady Golf Glove
Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic leather
Limited concern
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.