Women's hiking Trainers Garmont Tower GTX
Gore-Tex uses PFOA-free production; brand silent on PFAS in treatments.
Gore-Tex membrane likely contains PFOA alternatives but composition not fully disclosed. Garmont provides no public PFAS information for this model.
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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
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What Women's hiking Trainers Garmont Tower GTX is made of, ingredients and materials
The upper is textile (likely synthetic blend typical of hiking shoes), with Gore-Tex laminated as the waterproof-breathable layer. Gore-Tex itself is Teflon-type coating-based and historically relied on fluorinated compounds for water-repellency and durability; the membrane is permanently bonded to the textile. This means PFAS exposure is primarily during manufacturing and end-of-life disposal, not from wearing the shoe, but the membrane does not shed or migrate significantly during normal use.
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.
Fluorinated water-repellent treatments (non-PFOA)
Gore-Tex membrane is Teflon-type coating-based and confirmed PFOA-free by Gore, but Garmont has not disclosed whether the textile upper, seams, or insoles receive additional water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments. Other fluorinated compounds (e.g., GenX, PFPr, PFBS) used in water-repellent coating coatings are not ruled out and remain detectable in wastewater post-wash.
Antimony in polyester
If the textile upper or lining contains polyester (common in hiking shoes), catalytic antimony residues may be present as a byproduct of polyester manufacture. Garmont does not disclose material composition in detail, so antimony levels are unknown but typical for the category.
Glue and seam-tape degradation over time
Gore-Tex seam tape adhesive can fail after 3-5 years or 300-500 miles of hiking, leading to water ingress. Garmont Tower GTX has no published durability guarantee. Once seams fail, the shoe cannot be effectively re-sealed and is typically discarded, making lifespan a practical concern.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde concerns are established for Gore-Tex or typical hiking shoe textile uppers in published safety data or recalls. Adhesives used in seaming are typically polyurethane or polyester-based, not formaldehyde-releasers.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes
No restricted azo dyes have been reported for Garmont products or Gore-Tex membranes. Textile dyes in outdoor footwear are generally subject to general dyehouse environmental regulations, but Garmont does not certify compliance with Bluesign or similar restricted substance lists.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Garmont is an Italian outdoor footwear maker with no public sustainability or chemical disclosure policy on record. The company does not publish material safety data, certifications (e.g., Bluesign, GOTS), or PFAS commitments for its product lines. Gore-Tex's own statement confirms PFOA-free production, but Garmont has not confirmed whether other fluorinated water-repellents are used on seams, threads, or insoles. This silence on chemical inputs is the main transparency gap.
How it compares in its category
Hiking shoes with Gore-Tex are standard in the mid-to-premium segment and carry similar PFAS profiles regardless of brand, since Gore-Tex is the membrane. Competitors (Salomon, Merrell, La Sportiva) similarly do not disclose PFAS in textiles or treatments. Shoes using non-fluorinated membranes (eVent, Polartec NeoShell) exist but are rarer and typically more expensive. Garmont Tower GTX is middle-of-the-road for chemical transparency in this category.
If you buy it
Wash uppers in cold water and air-dry; do not machine wash or tumble dry, as heat and agitation degrade Gore-Tex seams and glue. Replace when treads wear flat (typically 300-500 miles) or seams delaminate; Gore-Tex cannot be repaired and will not be recoverable by most recyclers. Do not incinerate at end of life, as burning Teflon-type coating-based membranes can release hazardous fumes. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to extend durability.
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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