Hanwag Men's Banks SF Extra GTX
High PFAS risk from GORE-TEX; no brand disclosure available.
Hanwag does not publicly disclose PFAS use in this hiking boot. GORE-TEX is a Teflon-family coating membrane with known PFAS content, commonly used in waterproof outdoor footwear.
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Material
Leather, GORE-TEX membrane
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Hanwag Men's Banks SF Extra GTX is made of, ingredients and materials
The Hanwag Banks SF Extra GTX uses full-grain or split leather uppers combined with a GORE-TEX waterproof breathable membrane. Leather itself carries minimal toxicity risk when from reputable tanneries, but GORE-TEX relies on polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon-type coating) and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs/PFAS) for water and stain resistance. The membrane is laminated inside the boot, meaning direct skin contact is limited, but the waterproof layer will shed microfibers and volatile fluorinated compounds over time, especially during washing or in warm conditions.
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.
PFAS
GORE-TEX waterproof layer contains perfluorinated compounds documented in peer-reviewed studies and regulatory inquiries. Hanwag provides no information on fluorochemical concentration or phase-out timeline, leaving exposure profile opaque.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
No public tannery certification or testing data available for Hanwag sources. Leather can harbor chromium, formaldehyde, and other tanning byproducts depending on process; no product-specific assurance is documented.
Source, FDA ↗Azo dyes or synthetic dyes in leather finish
Leather dyeing and color finishing standards are not disclosed by Hanwag. Azo dyes banned in the EU are still permitted in some regions; no commitment to azo-free practices is published.
Microplastic and Teflon-family coating shedding from GORE-TEX
GORE-TEX membranes shed submicron Teflon-type coating particles and volatile PFCs during wear, especially when wet or cleaned. This is an inherent feature of the material, not a defect, and accumulates over the boot's lifetime.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather construction and GORE-TEX are not typically finished with formaldehyde-based resins. No record of this hazard in this product category or brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Hanwag is an established outdoor footwear manufacturer with no public commitment to PFAS phase-out or transparency on chemical use. The brand does not disclose tannery certifications, GORE-TEX sourcing standards, or PFAS limits in marketing materials or environmental statements. No major recalls or toxicity controversies are on record for this model, but the silent stance on PFCs is standard across many GORE-TEX boot makers and reflects an industry-wide reluctance to address fluorochemical concerns.
How it compares in its category
Most hiking boots at this performance tier use GORE-TEX, so PFAS exposure from the membrane is category-typical, not unusual. Alternatives using non-fluorinated membranes (eVent, Sympatex) exist but are less common in rugged mountaineering boots. Leather construction itself is lower-concern than synthetic uppers, provided tannery standards are met; Hanwag's Bavarian heritage suggests established supply chains, though verification is not publicly available. Price and durability positioning places this in the mid-premium segment where PFAS-free footwear options remain rare.
If you buy it
Avoid machine washing; hand-clean with cool water and mild soap to minimize GORE-TEX microfiber and PFC shedding. Do not apply additional waterproof sprays containing PFAS (many commercial brands do). Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat, which accelerates fluorinated compound off-gassing from the membrane. Expect 3-5 years of heavy use; when the sole wears or the membrane delaminates, disposal options are limited, so plan for a recycling program or landfill endpoint.
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
- Hanwag has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.