Columbia Women's Newton Ridge Plus Waterproof Hiking
Unknown waterproof coating; Columbia silent on PFAS. Higher caution warranted.
Columbia Newton Ridge Plus uses a waterproof treatment on leather, but the brand discloses no information about PFAS or the coating chemistry. Traditional waterproofing often contains PFOAs or PFCs.
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Material
leather upper with waterproof coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Columbia Women's Newton Ridge is made of, ingredients and materials
This boot features a leather upper paired with an unnamed waterproof coating. The leather itself is animal-derived and subject to tanning and finishing processes that vary by supplier; Columbia does not publicly specify tanning method or finish chemistry. The waterproof coating is the primary chemical concern, Columbia does not disclose whether it contains PFAS, silicone, wax, or another class of water repellent. Leather is permeable and requires a hydrophobic treatment to shed water; the nature of that treatment determines exposure risk during wear and care.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather tanning and dyeing often involves formaldehyde-based resins for color fix and water resistance. Columbia does not disclose tanning method or dye class; formaldehyde exposure risk during wear and care is standard for most leather footwear but varies by supplier.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and reapplication residue
Water-repellent coatings on leather footwear degrade with wear. Consumers who reapply commercial water-repellent coating sprays expose themselves to inhalation and skin contact during application; ventilation and glove use are recommended but often skipped.
Chromium in leather tanning
Chrome-tanning is the industry standard for most leather footwear and produces small amounts of residual Cr(III) in the finished material. Chromium leaching into sweat during wear is minimal but not zero; no quantitative data is available for this specific product.
Adhesive and glue off-gassing
Leather hiking boots use polyurethane or epoxy adhesives to bond sole, upper, and reinforcements. New boots may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the first few days to weeks; odor dissipation indicates off-gassing decline, which is normal and not a reported safety issue for this model specifically.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes
Azo dyes are restricted under EU textile regulations but not formally banned in US consumer footwear. No specific recall or report exists for this Columbia model; azo status is not disclosed by the brand.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Columbia Sportswear has not published a formal PFAS policy or commitment to phase out PFAS-based water repellents in textiles or footwear as of available public records. The company has faced no major recalls or public controversy specific to this model. Columbia does not disclose coating chemistry, tanning agents, or dye classes for this product on the product page or care documentation, which is standard across most mainstream outdoor footwear but limits transparency. Absence of disclosure is not confirmation of hazard, but it reflects industry-wide opacity in finishing chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Women's waterproof hiking boots typically use one of three water-repellent strategies, PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating), fluorine-free alternatives (often silicone or polyurethane-based), or wax/oil finishes. Most mainstream brands, including Columbia, Salomon, Merrell, and The North Face, do not publicly distinguish their approach or test results. Premium or eco-focused brands (Danner, Lowa) more often disclose PFAS-free status. This Columbia model sits in the mainstream category where coating identity is typically undisclosed. Without PFAS-free certification, purchasing assumes standard industry practice, which may or may not involve PFAS.
If you buy it
Leather uppers require regular cleaning and conditioning to maintain water repellency and prevent cracking; use mild soap, dry away from heat, and apply leather conditioner every 6-12 months. Do not machine wash or expose to prolonged heat (>60 C / 140 F), which can degrade glues and coatings. The waterproof coating will degrade with wear and abrasion; expect reduced water repellency after 2-3 seasons of regular use, which is normal. If water repellency is critical to your use, consider applying a PFAS-free aftermarket treatment (silicone spray or wax-based) to extend performance, and wash your hands after application.
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
- Columbia has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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