Honma · Golf Balls & Equipment
Malbon x Honma Men's Gloves
Golf glove likely treated for water resistance; brand silent on PFAS.
Golf glove with leather and unspecified waterproof treatment. No public PFAS disclosure or testing available from Honma.
The better-graded swap
Wilson
Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set
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 with waterproof treatment (unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Unspecified water-resistant finish on leather gloves commonly uses PFAS-based Teflon-family coating in the athletic apparel industry. Brand silence on chemistry means PFAS presence cannot be ruled out and should be assumed probable unless confirmed otherwise.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and leaching
Repeated washing, sweat exposure, and wear will eventually degrade the waterproof surface coating. As it breaks down, microparticles or residual chemical monomers may leach into sweat or hand moisture, though the extent and toxicity depend on the coating chemistry (unknown here).
Skin sensitivity to coating or leather chemicals
Waterproof coatings and leather treatments can trigger contact dermatitis or irritation in sensitive individuals. Users with known reactions to leather or synthetic coatings should test fit in-store before purchase or wear a barrier glove underneath.
What’s reassuring
Chromium in leather tanning
Modern leather tanning by established manufacturers typically uses controlled chrome III processes within regulatory limits. No recalls or safety alerts specific to Honma leather gloves have been documented; however, testing would be required to confirm tanning residues are within acceptable levels.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some leather finishes include formaldehyde-releasing resins for durability. No public data suggests this is standard in Honma golf gloves, but lack of disclosure means it cannot be confirmed absent. OEKO-TEX or leather working group certification would rule this out.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Malbon x Honma gloves are leather with an unspecified waterproof treatment applied to the surface. Leather itself is a natural material with low inherent toxicity, but the waterproof finish is the critical variable, most water-resistant coatings on athletic leather use either PFAS-based Teflon-family coating (which repel water and oil) or polyurethane-based alternatives. The brand has not disclosed which chemistry is used here, making the true hazard profile opaque. Leather tanning itself can involve chromium compounds, but modern tanneries in established brands typically use controlled processes within regulatory limits.
The brand's record and disclosure
Honma is a Japanese golf equipment manufacturer with a long heritage but minimal public environmental or chemical disclosure policy on its website or product labels. The brand has not published PFAS reduction commitments, material safety data, or third-party certifications (such as Bluesign, OEKO-TEX, or leather working group standards). Malbon, the collaborator, is a golf apparel brand known for design but similarly lacks prominent chemical transparency statements. Neither brand appears in major PFAS litigation or recall databases for glove products, but absence of disclosure is not the same as absence of risk.
How it compares in its category
Premium golf gloves typically use leather with water-resistant finishes; alternatives include synthetic microfiber (which may use Teflon-type coating or other coatings) or uncoated leather. Honma positions itself in the high-end segment, where Japanese manufacturers often apply proprietary water-resistance treatments without public ingredient lists. Compared to mass-market gloves, Honma's lack of third-party certification is less surprising but also means fewer independent checks. Competitors like Callaway, FootJoy, and Titleist increasingly publish material sourcing and chemical policies; Honma does not.
If you buy it
Store gloves in a dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to preserve the waterproof coating and prevent leather cracking. Clean with a damp cloth and mild soap; avoid harsh solvents or machine washing, which can strip the treatment. Replace when leather shows cracks, seams separate, or grip deteriorates (typically 1-2 seasons of regular use). If you have sensitive skin or respiratory concerns about unknown chemical coatings, request a product safety data sheet from the retailer or Honma directly before purchase.
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
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PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
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Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
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Heavy metals
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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.