Inov-8 · Running & Athletic Shoes
Inov8 Men's TrailFly Max
Trail shoe with unspecified water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unclear.
Inov-8 does not disclose PFAS content or water-repellent coating chemistry for this shoe. Most trail footwear uses water-repellent coating treatments that may contain PFAS, but the brand provides no transparency.
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Material
synthetic textile upper with water-repellent coating finish, rubber sole
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Inov8 Men's TrailFly Max is made of, ingredients and materials
The TrailFly Max combines a synthetic textile upper with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish and a rubber outsole. The synthetic upper reduces leather-tanning chemical exposure but relies on the water-repellent coating to repel water; Inov-8 does not publicly specify whether this coating is fluorochemical-based or fluorine-free. The rubber sole is a standard elastomer component with no established chemical-leaching concern under normal use, but water-repellent coating finish composition is the primary material question here.
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
Water-repellent coating finish composition is not disclosed; risk depends on whether fluorine-based or fluorine-free chemistry is used. PFAS grade of 20/100 reflects this uncertainty and the brand's silence on the matter.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or public testing data on record for Inov-8 synthetic uppers. Formaldehyde risk in synthetic sportswear is not established for this product, though some finishing processes may involve low-level exposure.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
No recalls or health alerts specific to Inov-8 dye chemistry on record. Synthetic textile shoes typically use regulated dyes, but brand does not publish dye testing or certifications.
Rubber sole leachates and degradation
Standard rubber outsoles do not present documented leaching hazards under normal wear. Sole degradation over time is mechanical wear, not a chemical safety concern.
Adhesives and glue off-gassing
No specific data on Inov-8 shoe construction adhesives. Volatile organic compound exposure from shoe glues is typically minimal during normal outdoor wear due to ventilation.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Inov-8 does not publicly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry, certifications (such as Bluesign, GOTS, or OEKO-TEX), or a formal PFAS reduction commitment. The brand has not issued voluntary recalls or disclosed test results related to formaldehyde resins, azo dyes, or other synthetic textile hazards on record. Absence of disclosure is not absence of compliance, but it limits transparency for PFAS-conscious consumers.
How it compares in its category
Trail shoes with synthetic uppers and water-repellent coatings are the market norm; Inov-8 is not an outlier in material choice. Competitors like Salomon and La Sportiva similarly use synthetic uppers with water-repellent coating finishes but vary in transparency. Brands such as Altra and Patagonia have begun disclosing fluorine-free water-repellent options, setting a higher standard that Inov-8 has not matched.
If you buy it
Wash the shoe in cool water after muddy or salty conditions to reduce coating wear and potential leachate buildup. Avoid prolonged heat (direct sun storage, hot dryer) which can degrade the water-repellent coating finish and any coating. Replace or resole when the outsole shows uneven wear or tread loss; water-repellent coating durability typically lasts 6-12 months with regular use and washes. Store in a dry, ventilated area to prevent mold in the synthetic upper.
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
- Inov-8 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.