Hanwag Mens Yukon
Skip until brand discloses waterproofing chemistry.
Hanwag Yukon is a hiking boot with unspecified waterproof treatment. The brand makes no PFAS disclosure, making PFAS risk assessment impossible from public sources.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
leather upper, rubber sole, waterproof treatment (type unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Hanwag Mens Yukon is made of, ingredients and materials
The Yukon features a leather upper, which requires tanning (typically chromium or vegetable-based) and dyes to achieve color and water resistance. The rubber sole is standard synthetic material. The unspecified waterproof treatment is the core concern, most hiking boot waterproofing relies on either PFAS-based membranes (like Gore-Tex) or polyurethane coatings; Hanwag has not disclosed which approach is used here, making it impossible to rule out PFAS exposure during wear.
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
Hanwag's refusal to disclose the waterproofing chemistry and the brand's poor PFAS transparency rating (20/100) strongly suggest PFAS-based membranes or coatings are present. PFAS can leach from textiles during wear and washing, accumulating in skin and body over time.
Source, ATSDR ↗Chromium tanning residues in leather
Leather tanning typically involves hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI), which is a known carcinogen and respiratory irritant. Hanwag has not published tanning method or residual chromium testing; leather from responsible tanners is treated to reduce Cr-VI to trivalent form, but without certification this cannot be assumed here.
Azo dyes and colorants in leather and rubber
Synthetic azo dyes can break down under skin moisture and sweat to release aromatic amines, some of which are carcinogens or sensitizers. Hanwag does not specify dye chemistry, so conventional (potentially problematic) azo dyes cannot be ruled out.
Coating degradation and waterproofing loss over time
All waterproof treatments degrade with wear and washing. Once the Yukon's treatment deteriorates (typically 1-3 years with regular use), water ingress increases risk of mold, mildew, and foot maceration if moisture is not managed. Replacement is the only remedy.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather bonding and rubber-sole adhesives may contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing compounds, but no specific issues have been reported for this model. Proper ventilation during initial wear (new-shoe off-gassing) is standard precaution for all leather footwear.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Hanwag is an established Alpine footwear maker but has not published transparency on waterproofing chemistry or tanning practices. The brand's silence on PFAS in product documentation is notable given industry-wide scrutiny of fluorinated water repellents in outdoor gear since 2015. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this model, but lack of disclosure is not the same as verification of safer alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Most waterproof hiking boots in this category rely on either PFAS-based membranes or PU coatings; a small number use wax-treated leather or mechanical waterproofing. Hanwag's refusal to specify puts the Yukon in the higher-risk group. Competitors like Salewa, Scarpa, and some Lowa models have begun disclosing waterproofing chemistry or offering PFAS-free alternatives, making Hanwag's silence a relative disadvantage.
If you buy it
Before purchase, contact Hanwag directly to request the specific waterproofing technology (ask for membrane brand or coating type). Leather boots require regular conditioning with appropriate products to maintain water resistance and prevent cracking; improper care shortens lifespan and may force replacement sooner. Store in cool, dry conditions and avoid prolonged heat or direct sun, which can degrade both leather and synthetic membranes. Replace the boot when the sole shows significant wear or the upper cracks, as waterproofing integrity is then lost.
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
- Hanwag has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof boots 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.