Lowa Men's Renegade Evo GTX Mid
water-repellent coating likely contains PFAS; no brand disclosure available.
Gore-Tex GTX waterproof lining and water-repellent coating-treated leather typical in hiking boots commonly use fluorinated compounds. Lowa provides no public PFAS transparency or testing data for this model.
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Material
Leather upper, Gore-Tex GTX lining, rubber sole
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Lowa Men's Renegade Evo GTX Mid is made of, ingredients and materials
The Renegade Evo GTX Mid combines leather uppers with Gore-Tex GTX membrane lining and a rubber sole. Leather itself carries minimal documented hazard in this application; Gore-Tex is a microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon-type coating) film that creates a breathable waterproof barrier and does not off-gas Teflon-type coating fumes under normal wear. The waterproofing benefit relies on a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the leather and textile surfaces, which is where PFAS contamination concerns center, as documented in industry analyses.
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.
VOC off-gassing from leather finish and adhesives
New leather footwear commonly exhibits odor from tanning residues and solvent-based finishes. Ventilation during the first few wears and storage in open air will dissipate volatile compounds; this is typical and not unique to Lowa products, but some wearers report sensitivity.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or public health alerts specific to Lowa leather footwear for formaldehyde release have been recorded. Vegetable-tanned or chrome-tanned leather both used in outdoor boots carry minimal regulated risk of residual formaldehyde if production meets EU or US standards, though testing data for this model is not publicly available.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and colorant safety in leather
Leather dyeing in modern European-manufactured boots (Lowa is German) typically complies with REACH restrictions on carcinogenic azo compounds. No specific product safety issues or warnings for the Renegade Evo GTX dye chemistry have been reported.
Antimony in polyester or synthetic textile reinforcement
The Gore-Tex lining is Teflon-type coating-based, not polyester, so antimony catalyst contamination is not a concern for this component. Any synthetic reinforcement in the insole or padding is not specified in available product information, so no targeted risk assessment is possible.
Teflon-type coating fume inhalation risk from Gore-Tex membrane
Gore-Tex membrane does not off-gas Teflon-type coating at normal wear temperatures or even during moderate heat exposure (such as drying near a radiator). Only direct flame or prolonged exposure above 300°C poses a risk; this material is low concern under all foreseeable footwear use.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Lowa has not published comprehensive transparency on PFAS use in water-repellent coating treatments or commitments to phase out legacy PFAS chemistry in footwear lines. The company does not disclose supplier certifications or third-party testing results for PFAS content in finished products. No public recall or regulatory action against Lowa footwear for PFAS has been recorded, but absence of disclosure reflects a wider industry pattern of minimal voluntary accountability on this issue.
How it compares in its category
Mid-range hiking boots in this price segment typically use either PFC-based water-repellent coating (older chemistry, higher PFAS risk) or, increasingly, fluorine-free water-repellent alternatives. Lowa does not advertise fluorine-free water-repellent coating for this model, suggesting traditional PFAS-containing chemistry. Competing brands such as Salewa and some Merrell lines now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating options, making this boot less differentiated on chemical safety grounds.
If you buy it
Avoid excessive washing, which accelerates water-repellent coating degradation and increases skin contact with treatment residues. Use tepid water and brush dirt off when possible; machine wash only when necessary. Replace or reseal the water-repellent coating when water beads no longer form on the leather, typically every 1-2 seasons of heavy use. Store in a cool, dry place; Gore-Tex lining does not require special treatment and will remain functional for the boot's lifespan if the upper is maintained.
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
- Lowa 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.