Garmont · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Men Hiking shoes Garmont 9.81 Onyx GTX
Gore-Tex likely contains PFAS, Garmont provides no treatment details.
These boots use Gore-Tex waterproofing, which historically relied on PFAS chemistry. Garmont has no public PFAS disclosure or commitment to share.
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Material
textile upper with Gore-Tex waterproof membrane
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Textile uppers in synthetic hiking shoes typically use reactive or disperse dyes. No specific batch testing is published for this model, but azo dye residues are a known concern in low-cost synthetic textiles. Direct skin contact on the foot occurs, though exposure is mitigated by the shoe's worn state and lack of heat activation.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and nylon uppers are often treated with formaldehyde-releasing resins for shape retention and water resistance. Garmont does not disclose finishing chemistry. Formaldehyde off-gassing is minimal in shoes (unlike pillows or new apparel worn against skin) because shoe uppers are not in sustained contact with warm, moist skin during normal wear.
Source, ATSDR ↗Gore-Tex membrane degradation and particle shedding
Over time, the Teflon-type coating film bonded inside the shoe can delaminate or shed microparticles, particularly if subjected to flexing at the toe box or heel counter. This is a mechanical durability concern rather than a chemical toxicity event, but it may release fluorinated polymer particles into sweat or direct contact.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester fibers
Antimony trioxide is sometimes used as a catalyst in polyester production. Testing for antimony levels in this specific shoe line is not publicly available. Migration risk to skin is extremely low in solid-woven textile form and does not increase with wear or moisture exposure.
Glue and adhesive leachables
Polyurethane or solvent-based adhesives bond the Gore-Tex layer to the upper and to the sole. No published data exists for this model on volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing or leachate composition. The risk is lowest for shoes, since adhesives are not in direct skin contact and do not experience sustained heat or moisture cycling.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Garmont 9.81 Onyx GTX uses a textile upper (typically polyester/nylon blend) bonded to a Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable membrane. Gore-Tex is a Teflon-type coating (polytetrafluoroethylene) film that almost certainly contains fluorinated compounds for water repellency; this is the primary chemical concern. The upper textile itself carries standard risks from dyes and finishing resins, though hiking shoes are not heated during use, limiting leaching risk compared to cookware or repeated-wash apparel.
The brand's record and disclosure
Garmont is an Italian outdoor footwear specialist with no public transparency on PFAS use, chemical testing, or restricted substance certifications. The company does not appear to have signed the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) gateway or equivalent disclosure commitment. No major recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this model, and the brand is generally considered mid-tier in outdoor apparel safety practices, neither leading nor lagging notably.
How it compares in its category
Most waterproof hiking shoes at this price point and performance level use Gore-Tex or equivalent Teflon-type coating-based membranes, making PFAS exposure fairly universal in the category. Some premium brands (e.g., Salomon, Merrell) have begun experimenting with fluorine-free alternatives, but availability remains limited and cost is higher. The Garmont 9.81 is not unusual in its chemical profile for a standard three-season hiking shoe; the trade-off between waterproofing and PFAS exposure is typical of the category rather than brand-specific.
If you buy it
Rinse the shoe interior with cool water after muddy use to remove soil particles; do not machine wash or use heat drying, as this can degrade the Gore-Tex membrane and cause separation from the upper. Replace insoles if they compress noticeably (usually 1-2 seasons of regular use) to maintain foot support. Store in a cool, dry place; Gore-Tex membranes degrade under prolonged UV exposure or heat. Expect a usable lifespan of 300-500 miles before the outsole wears significantly, at which point the shoe becomes a candidate for replacement rather than repair.
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
- Garmont has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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