FootJoy · Golf Balls & Equipment
FootJoy Men's SofJoy Golf Glove
Lower PFAS risk; limited brand transparency on coatings.
Leather palm with synthetic or microfiber back. No water-repellent coating treatment or PFAS concern disclosed.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Leather palm, synthetic/microfiber back
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
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.
Chromium (tanning residue) in leather
Leather tanning commonly uses chromium salts, though modern processing fixes these into the material. Direct skin contact poses minimal risk if the glove is well-made, but trace leaching over months of wear is theoretically possible. No testing data available for this specific glove.
Azo dyes and color fastness in synthetic back
Synthetic microfiber is often dyed with azo dyes, some of which can break down into aromatic amines under sweat or friction. FootJoy does not disclose dye standards. Risk is low during normal wear but increases if the glove is saturated with sweat repeatedly without drying.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
The polyester microfiber back will shed fine fibers over time, especially with friction during grip and repetitive flexing. Shedding amount is negligible compared to synthetic clothing worn against larger skin areas, but cumulative environmental impact occurs.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence that SofJoy gloves use formaldehyde-releasing finishes or adhesives. Leather and microfiber bonding in golf gloves typically relies on mechanical stitching and non-formaldehyde adhesives, but FootJoy does not disclose adhesive chemistry.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is a catalyst used in some polyester production. No testing data or documented issues exist for FootJoy gloves. Industry use of antimony is declining and typically poses negligible risk in apparel.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
FootJoy SofJoy pairs a genuine leather palm with a synthetic microfiber back. Leather is a natural material with low chemical leaching risk in normal use, though tanning processes may involve chromium compounds that are typically fixed during processing. The microfiber backing is a polyester blend engineered for moisture wicking and durability. Both components are stable at body temperature and not exposed to heat that would trigger degradation or off-gassing.
The brand's record and disclosure
FootJoy, owned by Acushnet Holdings, has not published specific material safety or chemical disclosure statements for this glove line. The brand maintains no publicly documented safety certifications (like Oeko-Tex or GOTS) for this product. No recalls or chemical safety controversies have been reported for SofJoy gloves. The silence on PFAS and heavy metals in synthetic textiles is typical for golf apparel but reflects lack of transparency rather than confirmed safety.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves are generally lower-risk apparel because they contact only hands and are replaced frequently (1-3 months of regular play). SofJoy sits in the mid-market comfort tier; premium alternatives (Cabretta leather, certified dyes) exist but command higher prices. Budget gloves using lower-grade synthetic backs may pose marginally higher microplastic or dye-migration risk. This product's leather-synthetic blend is a standard, proven approach with no category-specific red flags.
If you buy it
Wash hands after play to remove any surface dyes or tanning residue, especially if you have sensitive skin. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent leather cracking and synthetic degradation. Replace when the palm wears thin (loss of grip) or develops cracks, typically every 20-25 rounds. Avoid machine washing or prolonged water soaking; spot-clean the synthetic back with mild soap and air-dry.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% 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.
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.