MacGregor · Sports Equipment Padding
Macgregor Shock Absorbing Base
Unknown material composition. No brand PFAS disclosure available.
MacGregor provides no PFAS or material details. Shock-absorbing foam sometimes contains PFAS-based coatings, but no evidence confirms use here.
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Material
foam or elastomer cushioning in shoe base
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.
Foam degradation and off-gassing
EVA and polyurethane foams can degrade with age, heat, or moisture exposure, potentially releasing volatile organic compounds. MacGregor does not disclose stabilizer chemistry, so long-term safety profile is uncertain.
Adhesive and binder leachables
Shoe cushioning is typically glued to uppers and midsoles using polyurethane or phenolic adhesives. These can leach trace organics with wear, moisture, or heat, particularly in low-cost construction.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyurethane and phenolic adhesives in shoe construction may contain trace formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasers. Off-gassing is typically minimal in finished products but increases if materials are damaged or heated.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Azo dyes in textile coverings
If the shoe upper contains synthetic textiles over the foam base, azo dyes may be present. MacGregor does not publicly commit to azo-dye restrictions, though direct skin contact risk from shoe inner linings is generally low.
Heavy metals
No recalls or warnings are on record for MacGregor cushioning products. Pigments in foam can theoretically contain cadmium or lead, but this is not a known issue in athletic footwear under normal use conditions.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
MacGregor's shock-absorbing base uses foam or elastomer cushioning, most commonly EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) or polyurethane, both standard in athletic footwear. These materials are chosen for impact dampening and comfort but can degrade over time with heat, moisture, and UV exposure, potentially releasing volatile compounds. The specific formulation and additives in MacGregor's compound are not publicly detailed, making independent assessment of stabilizers and processing chemicals impossible.
The brand's record and disclosure
MacGregor, a sporting goods manufacturer, maintains minimal public disclosure on material sourcing, chemical composition, or PFAS use in footwear components. No major recalls or safety controversies are established in public records for this product line. The brand does not publish material safety data sheets or third-party certifications for cushioning materials, which is common but limits transparency.
How it compares in its category
Foam-based shoe cushioning is standard across budget and mid-tier athletic brands and is generally considered lower-risk than rigid synthetic materials. Higher-end brands (Nike, Adidas, New Balance) increasingly disclose material sourcing and test for restricted substances, though this is not yet industry-wide practice. MacGregor's lack of public testing data places it in the transparent-disclosure gap typical of value brands.
If you buy it
Store shoes in cool, dry conditions away from direct heat and sunlight to slow foam degradation. Avoid machine washing or prolonged water submersion, which accelerates breakdown of adhesives and foam structure. Replace shoes when cushioning becomes noticeably flattened or compressed, typically 300-500 miles of wear, to prevent injury and limit exposure to degraded material. Allow shoes to air-dry fully if dampened to prevent microbial growth in foam.
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
- MacGregor has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More sports equipment padding 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.