Honma · Golf Balls & Equipment
Malbon Golf X Honma Men's Premium Glove
Premium golf glove with likely water-resistant coating; PFAS unclear.
Premium golf glove with leather and synthetics featuring water-resistant treatment that may contain PFAS. Honma discloses no PFAS information.
The better-graded swap
Precept
Precept Power Drive Double Dozen Golf Balls
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Leather, synthetic materials with water-resistant treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Heavy metals
Leather tanning may use chromium or other heavy metals; no third-party certification data available for this Honma glove. Premium cabretta leather typically undergoes better quality control than commodity leather, but batch-level testing is not published.
Source, FDA ↗Undisclosed water-resistant coating chemistry
Water-resistant treatments on golf gloves are almost always fluorocarbon-based finishes. Honma provides no public information on the specific chemistry; degradation over time may release microparticles and coating residues into skin contact areas.
Synthetic material off-gassing (reinforcements and backing)
Synthetic reinforcements in the palm and synthetic backing layers may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing and early use. No off-gassing data or volatile content limits are disclosed by the brand.
Azo dye allergenicity
Leather dyes, particularly reds and oranges in multi-color glove designs, may include azo dyes that can trigger contact dermatitis or sensitization in susceptible users. Premium leather often uses higher-quality dyes, but no restrictions or testing data are published for this product.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Golf glove construction uses minimal adhesives and stitching; formaldehyde risk is lower than in textile-heavy apparel. No recalls or reports specific to Honma gloves have been identified.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This Malbon Golf x Honma glove combines genuine leather (likely cabretta or similar premium hand leather) with synthetic reinforcements and a water-resistant topcoat treatment. The water resistance is the key concern, Honma does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of this treatment, which is often a fluorocarbon-based finish (relevant to PFAS grading separately). Leather itself is processed with tannins and dyes that can include heavy metals; premium golf gloves typically undergo stricter tanning controls than mass-market leather goods, but individual batch testing is not standard.
The brand's record and disclosure
Honma is a Japanese golf equipment manufacturer with a focus on premium positioning but minimal public disclosure on material safety or chemical use. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this glove model. The brand does not publish safety data sheets, third-party certifications (such as Leather Working Group or OEKO-TEX), or statements on heavy metal limits or dye safety. This silence on water-resistant treatment chemistry is typical for golf apparel but represents a gap in consumer transparency.
How it compares in its category
Premium leather golf gloves from established brands (Titleist, FootJoy, Callaway) similarly lack public chemical disclosure for water treatments, though some now carry OEKO-TEX or LWG certifications. Honma's positioning suggests quality tanning, but the absence of third-party verification makes direct safety comparison difficult. Mid-range synthetic gloves avoid water-resistant coatings altogether, reducing coating-related hazards but sacrificing durability and grip in wet conditions.
If you buy it
Wear gloves during initial break-in and first wet use to minimize direct skin contact with any residual finish chemicals or dye transfer. Hand-wash in cool water with mild soap; avoid machine washing or prolonged soaking, which accelerates coating breakdown. Replace the glove when leather shows visible cracking, seam separation, or loss of water beading, typically after 6-12 months of regular play. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent synthetic reinforcement degradation.
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
- Honma has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Golf Balls & Equipment
Vice Golf
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PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
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Chromium in leather tanning residue
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Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
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Heavy metals
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
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Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic leather
Limited concern
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More golf balls & equipment 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.