Danner Men's Mountain Pass
Waterproof treatment unspecified; skip or contact Danner for composition.
Danner's Mountain Pass hiking boot uses an unspecified waterproof treatment on leather, a common PFAS application. Danner does not publicly disclose PFAS absence or treatment chemistry.
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Material
leather/nubuck upper with waterproof treatment, rubber sole
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Danner Men's Mountain Pass is made of, ingredients and materials
Danner Mountain Pass uses nubuck (sanded leather) uppers with a rubber sole and an unnamed waterproof treatment. Leather tanning typically involves chromium salts or vegetable tannins; nubuck sanding increases surface area and may raise dust/fiber inhalation risk during wear. The waterproof finish is almost certainly fluorochemical-based (PFAS), since Danner does not disclose the chemistry and PFAS is industry standard for leather footwear waterproofing. No public record shows Danner has committed to PFAS-free treatments.
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.
Heavy metals
Conventional leather tanning often uses hexavalent chromium salts; Danner does not publicly disclose tanning method. Chromium can leach into sweat and pose a skin sensitization risk, especially on abraded areas or with prolonged contact in humid conditions.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather footwear uppers and insoles may contain formaldehyde-releasing resins or adhesives used in tanning and assembly. Off-gassing is typically low in cured leather but can increase with heat or humidity; risk is highest in the first weeks of use.
Source, ATSDR ↗Rubber sole off-gassing (VOC/odor)
Rubber soles can emit volatile organic compounds and characteristic odor during curing and early wear. This is generally non-toxic at ambient exposure levels but may irritate sensitive individuals; ventilation and time reduce it within days to weeks.
Nubuck surface degradation and microfiber shedding
Nubuck pile can shed fine leather fibers during initial wear and abrasion, especially if waterproof treatment is worn or partially removed. Inhalation risk is low in outdoor use but may increase in enclosed spaces; regular brushing and care reduce shedding.
PFAS
Danner does not identify the waterproof agent; industry standard is PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating). PFAS can off-gas and leach into sweat; heating (machine wash, high sun) accelerates breakdown and release. This hazard is assessed separately (PFAS grade Bad 20/100) but remains a key concern during use.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Danner (owned by Wolverine World Wide) is silent on PFAS use and has not published materials transparency or restricted fluorochemicals in footwear, unlike some competitors (e.g., Salomon, some Merrell lines). Wolverine subsidiaries have faced litigation regarding PFAS groundwater contamination from manufacturing. Danner does not appear on public lists of brands committed to eliminating PFAS. No formal certifications (Cradle-to-Cradle, bluesign, etc.) are on record for this model.
How it compares in its category
Leather hiking boots with undisclosed waterproof treatments are the norm in this price/function tier. Competitors like Salomon, Merrell, and The North Face vary widely, some offer PFAS-free or recycled plastic uppers; others use PFAS waterproofing silently. Danner's silence on fluorochemicals is typical of mid-range outdoor brands; premium or eco-focused brands are more likely to disclose. Nubuck is more water-prone than smooth leather, justifying the waterproof layer but increasing reliance on that chemical treatment.
If you buy it
Clean and dry the boot after wet conditions to extend the waterproof layer; humidity and heat can degrade fluorochemical coatings. Do not machine wash or apply heat above 140 F (60 C), as this may accelerate off-gassing of volatile fluorine compounds and damage the nubuck pile. If you are concerned about PFAS exposure (especially if pregnant or immunocompromised), contact Danner directly before purchase to ask for waterproof treatment composition. Replace or reseal when water begins to bead unevenly or absorbs into the nubuck, signaling coating breakdown.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Danner has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.