Hoka One One · Waterproof Boots
Wmns Hoka One Sky Kaha GTX GoreTex WATERPROOF sz Hiking Boot Trail Running
Gore-Tex waterproofing typically uses PFAS; brand discloses nothing.
Gore-Tex membrane delivers durability but historically relies on PFAS-based chemistry. Hoka makes no PFAS disclosures for this boot.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Gore-Tex membrane with textile upper and waterproof treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Wmns Hoka One Sky Kaha GTX GoreTex is made of, ingredients and materials
This boot uses a Gore-Tex membrane laminated to a textile upper, typically polyester or nylon. Gore-Tex waterproofing historically relies on PFAS (fluorinated compounds) to create water-repellent barriers while remaining breathable. The textile upper may also carry water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishes, which in older products sometimes contained PFAS; newer water-repellent coating formulations can be fluorine-free, but Gore-Tex's core membrane chemistry remains PFAS-dependent. No independent testing of this specific model's non-membrane components for formaldehyde resins, azo dyes, or antimony has been published.
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 waterproofing in boots relies on PFAS compounds; textile upper water-repellent coating treatments may contain additional PFAS. No public independent analysis of this specific model's total PFAS burden exists.
Source, ATSDR ↗Membrane delamination and coating degradation over time
Gore-Tex lamination can separate after years of use, heat stress, or improper cleaning. This is a durability issue rather than a toxicity hazard, but failure means loss of waterproofing and potential need for replacement.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recall, warning, or public test result for formaldehyde in Hoka hiking boots has been documented. Polyester or nylon uppers may carry finishing agents, but no evidence of concern is on record for this brand or model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and synthetic dye allergens
No specific azo dye or dye-related allergen incident reported for Hoka One One footwear. The boot's color treatments have not triggered documented health complaints or regulatory action.
Antimony in polyester materials
Antimony is a catalyst used in polyester production; levels in finished apparel are generally low and unregulated. No antimony-related health claim or recall for Hoka boots is on record.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Hoka One One has not publicly disclosed PFAS use, phase-out timelines, or chemical transparency commitments. The brand does not list certifications such as Bluesign, OEKO-TEX, or similar textile chemical standards on their website or product pages. Gore-Tex itself acknowledges PFAS in its products but has stated plans to develop alternative membranes; as of 2024, Gore-Tex waterproofing boots still use PFAS-containing technology. Hoka has not distanced itself from this reliance or communicated efforts to offer PFAS-free waterproof alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Gore-Tex waterproof hiking boots occupy a premium category; most competitors (Salomon, Merrell, Keen, Asolo) also use Gore-Tex or similar PFAS-dependent membranes, so this boot is not an outlier in PFAS exposure. Non-membrane-based waterproofing (e.g., dense leather or synthetic rubber soles with sealed seams) exists in hiking boots but is less breathable and less common in trail-running-oriented models. Hoka's silence on chemical alternatives places it alongside most mainstream outdoor brands; few manufacturers offer detailed textile chemical disclosures.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged heat exposure (dishwasher, direct sunlight, indoor heaters near >60°C) as Gore-Tex membranes can degrade and textile upper layers may soften. Clean with cool water and mild soap; do not bleach or use solvents, which can compromise the water-repellent coatings. Inspect seams and the Gore-Tex lamination annually for separation or damage; once the membrane fails or delaminates, the waterproofing is lost and repair is often uneconomical. If PFAS exposure is a primary concern, contact Hoka directly to ask about PFAS-free waterproof boot availability or consider brands investing in fluorine-free alternatives.
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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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.