Diadora · Running & Athletic Shoes
Diadora Sestriere-XT 2
Unknown PFAS risk; no brand transparency on water-repellent treatment.
The Diadora Sestriere-XT 2 appears to be a hiking or outdoor shoe with waterproof treatment, but Diadora provides no public disclosure of PFAS use or avoidance. Insufficient information to assess PFAS risk confidently.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Textile upper with likely water-repellent coating finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Azo dyes in synthetic textile dyeing
Synthetic nylon or polyester uppers may be dyed with azo dyes during manufacturing; while banned azo dyes are restricted in EU and some countries, some producers still use borderline compounds. No public testing of this specific model is on record.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing from synthetic materials
Polyurethane soles and glues used in shoe assembly can release VOCs (including toluene and hexane) for the first weeks of ownership. Ventilation during break-in reduces inhalation risk significantly.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Synthetic textiles may be treated with formaldehyde resins for wrinkle resistance or dimensional stability during manufacturing. No formal testing data is available for this model; risk is typical for mass-produced athletic footwear.
Source: ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microparticle shedding from water-repellent coating finish
As water-repellent coating coatings wear, microscopic particles can shed into the environment and potentially be inhaled or absorbed through skin contact. Fluorinated water-repellent coating coatings are more durable but raise PFAS concerns; fluorine-free alternatives shed less but degrade faster, requiring reapplication.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester fibers
If the upper is 100% polyester, trace antimony (a manufacturing catalyst) may be present but is not a known concern in textile apparel from reputable manufacturers. No recall or warning specific to Diadora footwear exists on this hazard.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Sestriere-XT 2 features a textile upper (likely synthetic blend or nylon) treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to shed moisture. water-repellent coating treatments are often fluorinated compounds (PFAS-class chemicals), though some brands now use fluorine-free alternatives; Diadora has not publicly disclosed which type is used here. The textile substrate itself may contain synthetic fibers like polyester, which can harbor residual dyes and finishing agents from manufacturing. The sole and midsole materials (typically polyurethane or EVA) are generally stable but can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during initial break-in, especially if stored in warm conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Diadora has not issued public statements about PFAS use in their footwear lines or water-repellent coating treatment protocols, and no third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or Bluesign) are widely documented for this model. The brand is a mid-tier sportswear manufacturer without a known track record of transparency on chemical disclosure comparable to larger competitors. No major product recalls or safety controversies specific to Diadora textiles have been reported in consumer databases, but the lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess chemical management practices.
How it compares in its category
Most textile athletic footwear in this price range uses water-repellent coating finishes; the difference lies in whether brands certify them as fluorine-free or fluorinated. Competitors like Asics, New Balance, and Brooks increasingly market fluorine-free water-repellent coating options, while Diadora's silence suggests they may not have made that transition. The Sestriere-XT 2 offers no obvious material or certifications that distinguish it as lower-chemical than baseline market alternatives, placing it in the middle-of-the-road category for chemical risk.
If you buy it
Air out the shoes in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours after purchase to allow initial VOC off-gassing. Wash textile uppers by hand in cool water with mild detergent; avoid machine washing and high heat, which can degrade coatings and release surface treatments. Reapply fluorine-free water-repellent coating sprays (such as those from Grangers or Nikwax) after 6-12 months if water repellency noticeably diminishes, rather than relying solely on the factory treatment. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to minimize UV degradation and off-gassing.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Diadora has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Running & Athletic Shoes
New Balance
Women's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Shoes
Mesh upper, Fresh Foam midsole, rubber outsole
Azo dyes and color-based toxins
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Standard athletic shoe with no known PFAS triggers, but no brand disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Diadora
Atomo V7000-2
Textile fabric, likely polyester or nylon blend
Azo dyes and synthetic dyes
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester fibers
Limited concern
Adhesive and rubber off-gassing
Limited concern
No public PFAS disclosure; lower concern but unverified.
⚠Risky category by default
More running & athletic shoes 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.