FootJoy · Golf Balls & Equipment
FootJoy WeatherSof Golf Glove 2 Pack
Golf glove water treatment PFAS risk unclear, no brand data.
This golf glove uses water-resistant treatment typical of performance apparel, but FootJoy discloses nothing about PFAS content.
The better-graded swap
Callaway
Callaway Supersoft Golf Balls
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 or polyurethane with water-resistant treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from synthetic leather and adhesives
Polyurethane-based synthetic leather and glue used in seam construction can emit VOCs during manufacturing and early use. Golf gloves pose low inhalation risk due to short wear duration and intermittent contact, but new gloves may have noticeable chemical odor.
Water-repellent coating durability and degradation products
The water-repellent coating treatment is unnamed; if PFAS-based (common in sports gear), it will degrade over time and release fluorinated particles into sweat and hand contact surfaces. No testing or disclosure from Cleveland Golf confirms or denies PFAS presence.
Synthetic leather degradation and microparticle shedding
Polyurethane-based synthetic leather can shed microparticles when abraded, creased, or washed repeatedly. While direct skin contact is limited in a glove, particles may accumulate on hands and potentially transfer to food or mucous membranes.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes and colorant metals in synthetic leather
No specific recalls or reports of azo dye or heavy metal contamination in FootJoy WeatherSof gloves. However, synthetic leather dyes are not typically disclosed, and testing is not standard for sports equipment.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Golf gloves are not commonly treated with formaldehyde-releasing flame retardants or anti-wrinkle resins, as this category does not require flame resistance. No evidence of formaldehyde treatment in synthetic leather golf gloves on record.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
FootJoy WeatherSof gloves use synthetic leather (polyurethane or PU-based material) rather than genuine leather, paired with a water-resistant topcoat treatment. Synthetic leather avoids some tannery-related contaminants but introduces polyurethane chemistry and the need for water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings to achieve the weatherproofing claimed in the name. The coating formulation is not disclosed publicly, which is typical for golf glove manufacturers but leaves PFAS content uncertain. Synthetic leather can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing and early use, though golf gloves pose lower exposure risk than apparel worn directly against skin for extended periods.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cleveland Golf (FootJoy's parent company is owned by Acushnet Holdings) does not publicly disclose material safety data, chemical certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or Bluesign), or water-repellent coating formulations for golf gloves. No major product safety recalls for FootJoy gloves have been documented in US databases. The brand has not issued statements regarding PFAS avoidance or transparency initiatives, placing it in the category of companies with silent stance on emerging chemical concerns. This lack of disclosure is common in sports equipment but contrasts with brands pursuing formal textile safety certifications.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves as a category carry lower chemical exposure risk than base-layer or high-contact apparel because contact is intermittent and gloves are not worn against sensitive skin. WeatherSof positions itself in the mid-range consumer market, competing with similarly constructed synthetic-leather alternatives rather than premium leather or certified eco-gloves. Certified alternatives (such as gloves with OEKO-TEX certification) do exist but are less common and often priced higher. Most mainstream golf gloves, including WeatherSof, do not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry, making category-wide comparison difficult.
If you buy it
Store gloves in a dry place away from direct heat and sunlight to preserve the synthetic leather and water-resistant coating; high heat can accelerate VOC release and degrade polyurethane. Wash infrequently in cool water with mild soap to extend the water-repellent coating's life; machine washing and hot water degrade synthetic leather faster. Replace gloves when the grip deteriorates or seams separate, typically after one golf season of regular use. If you are sensitive to chemical odors or have concerns about PFAS exposure, air out new gloves outdoors for a few days before use to allow VOCs to dissipate.
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
- FootJoy 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
Vice Drip Golf Balls
synthetic polymer core with urethane/elastomer cover
PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
Men's Pair Golf Gloves
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.