FootJoy · Golf Balls & Equipment
FootJoy GTxtreme White/Red 64883 Wht/
Golf shoe with likely water-repellent coating treatment, PFAS status unclear from brand.
Golf shoe with synthetic uppers and waterproof technology typically using water-repellent coating-treated coatings that may contain PFAS. FootJoy discloses nothing about PFAS.
The better-graded swap
Honma
HONMA TW-S 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 upper with waterproof membrane
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.
Azo dyes in synthetic leather or polyurethane upper
Synthetic leather and polyurethane dyes may contain azo compounds that can release aromatic amines under sweat or friction. No specific test data is public for this model, but azo dyes are common in low-cost and mid-range synthetic footwear; higher-end brands often specify azo-free dye systems.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyurethane bonding and waterproof membrane application typically involve formaldehyde-containing resins. Footwear manufacturers do not routinely disclose formaldehyde content or off-gassing rates; new shoe odor often reflects residual formaldehyde from manufacturing.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyurethane degradation and VOC release under heat or UV
The synthetic upper and membrane can degrade over time, especially if stored in hot or sunlit environments, releasing volatile organic compounds and potentially compromising waterproofing. This is a natural aging process rather than a manufacturing defect but is accelerated by poor storage.
What’s reassuring
Microplastic shedding from synthetic leather wear
No published studies on shedding rates for this specific shoe model exist. Synthetic leather uppers do shed microfibers during use; the extent and environmental impact remain poorly quantified for performance footwear.
Heavy metals
If the waterproof membrane or reinforcement includes polyester, antimony trioxide (a catalyst residue) may be present in trace amounts. FootJoy does not provide material testing or heavy metal screening data; no recall or contamination report exists for this model.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This shoe uses a synthetic leather or polyurethane upper paired with a waterproof membrane, likely a thermoplastic layer bonded to the outer material. Polyurethane itself is stable during normal wear but can degrade when exposed to sustained heat, UV, or harsh chemicals, potentially releasing volatile organic compounds. The waterproof treatment is the primary unknown, FootJoy does not publicly disclose whether their water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating contains PFAS compounds, which are standard in performance golf footwear.
The brand's record and disclosure
FootJoy, owned by Acushnet Holdings, does not publish transparent material or chemical disclosures for individual shoe lines on their website or marketing materials. The company has not signed commitments to phase out PFAS or adopted third-party certifications (such as GOTS or Cradle to Cradle) that would indicate rigorous chemical screening. No public recalls or safety violations are documented for this specific model, though the brand's silence on waterproofing chemistry is a notable gap in consumer transparency.
How it compares in its category
Golf shoes in this mid-to-premium range almost universally use synthetic uppers with waterproof membranes, making this model typical rather than exceptional. Competitors like Ecco and some Adidas golf lines offer similar construction but occasionally reference material compliance or testing, whereas FootJoy does not. The lack of brand-level disclosure about PFAS or restricted substances places this shoe in a lower transparency tier compared to athletic brands with published chemical safety policies.
If you buy it
Avoid sustained exposure to direct heat sources (radiators, car dashboards) and UV, as polyurethane can harden or crack prematurely under stress. Clean with mild soap and cool water rather than harsh solvents, and allow air drying away from heat. Store in a cool, dry place; expect the membrane and synthetic upper to remain durable for 2-3 seasons of regular play if not subjected to extreme conditions. Replace when the synthetic leather shows visible cracking, peeling, or when waterproofing noticeably fails.
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
- 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.