Hoka One One · Waterproof Boots
Hoka One One Kaha 2 Gtx - Olive Green
Skip until brand discloses water-repellent coating and GTX formulations.
Hoka does not disclose PFAS use in Kaha 2 GTX waterproofing or GORE-TEX membrane. GORE-TEX historically uses PFCs, but current formulation status is unconfirmed.
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Material
textile upper with water-repellent coating, GORE-TEX GTX membrane
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Hoka One One Kaha 2 Gtx - Olive Green is made of, ingredients and materials
The Kaha 2 GTX pairs a textile upper with a GORE-TEX GTX waterproof-breathable membrane and a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating on the outer fabric. GORE-TEX membranes historically rely on Teflon-type coating (polytetrafluoroethylene), while water-repellent coating finishes on outdoor footwear are commonly fluorinated compounds, the primary vector for PFAS in this shoe. The combination creates a dual PFAS exposure pathway, the membrane itself and the fabric treatment layer.
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
Fluorinated water-repellent coating and Teflon-type coating-based waterproof membranes are the standard in this product category and a well-established PFAS source; no alternative chemistry disclosed for this model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microfiber and microplastic shedding from textile upper
Synthetic textile uppers in footwear shed microfibers during wear and laundering. No product-specific testing is on record, but the risk is inherent to this material class and documented in peer-reviewed studies of textile footwear durability.
Antimony in polyester components
If the textile upper or lining contains polyester (common in hiking boots), legacy polyester may carry residual antimony catalyst; modern production has largely phased this out, but product-level testing is not disclosed.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-based sizing or finishing agents have been reported in Hoka One One footwear. Modern technical textiles typically avoid high-formaldehyde processes, but independent confirmation is not available for this model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
No specific dye chemistry or heavy metal contamination has been reported for Hoka One One products. The brand does not disclose dye suppliers or chromium/lead testing data for this colorway.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Hoka One One has not publicly disclosed the specific water-repellent coating chemistry or GORE-TEX formulation used in the Kaha 2 GTX. The brand offers no transparency on PFAS phase-out timelines or alternative water-repellent technologies. This silence is notable given competitor announcements from brands like Salomon and Patagonia on fluorine-free water-repellent coating adoption or PFAS reduction roadmaps. Without formal commitment or third-party certification (such as Bluesign or GOTS), the PFAS burden remains undocumented and unmitigated.
How it compares in its category
Most premium hiking boots and trail shoes in Hoka's price tier (USD 180+) still use fluorinated water-repellent coating and Teflon-type coating-based GTX. However, alternatives exist, Salomon and The North Face have launched fluorine-free water-repellent coating lines, and some brands pair non-fluorinated treatments with membrane technologies (Pertex, eVent) that avoid Teflon-type coating. The Kaha 2 GTX represents the conventional choice, not the lower-concern option in its market segment.
If you buy it
Avoid high-temperature washing or machine drying, which can degrade the water-repellent coating layer and increase microfiber shedding. Reapply water-repellent coating annually using PFAS-free products (silicone-based treatments) if available; factory recoating will likely reintroduce fluorinated chemicals. Expect the textile upper to shed microfibers during normal wear; washing in a mesh bag and air-drying minimizes release. Replace when sole wear exceeds 3-4 mm or membrane integrity is compromised, typically 12-18 months of regular use.
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
- Hoka One One 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.