Merrell · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Merrell Men's Agility Peak 6 GTX
GORE-TEX likely contains PFAS, Merrell discloses nothing about it.
GORE-TEX membranes typically contain legacy PFOA-based chemistry or modern PFAS alternatives. Merrell makes no public statement on PFAS content or water-repellent coating treatment.
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Material
textile upper with GORE-TEX waterproof membrane
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and nylon textiles in outdoor footwear often receive formaldehyde-based finishing resins to improve wrinkle resistance and dye fixation. No specific test data for this model is public, but off-gassing is most active within the first few weeks of use and declines with ventilation.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microfiber shedding from synthetic textiles
Synthetic uppers in athletic footwear shed microfibers with wear, especially when laundered. This is not brand-specific; it reflects the material class. Merrell provides no guidance on limiting shedding during care or end-of-life disposal.
Adhesive/solvent residues and VOC off-gassing
The lamination of GORE-TEX to the textile upper and sole assembly typically uses polyurethane or epoxy adhesives. Initial off-gassing may occur in sealed storage or warm conditions; airing the shoe before first wear reduces exposure.
PFAS
See separate PFAS assessment (20/100). GORE-TEX and secondary water-repellent coating coatings on this shoe almost certainly contain PFAS; Merrell's silence prevents confirmation of reformulation status or intent to transition to PFAS-free alternatives.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Merrell does not disclose dye sources or azo-free certifications for this shoe. Industry standard for mid-range outdoor footwear does not exclude azo dyes, though exposure risk from dyes on skin contact is low compared to ingestion hazards in other product categories.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Agility Peak 6 GTX pairs a textile upper (likely polyester and nylon blends) with a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane laminated to the interior. GORE-TEX is a microporous Teflon-family coating that traditionally relies on PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) chemistry to function; newer formulations may use alternatives, but Merrell does not specify which. The textile upper may also carry a secondary water-repellent coating treatment on the outer surface, typically fluorine-based for performance footwear at this price point.
The brand's record and disclosure
Merrell (owned by Wolverine World Wide) has not publicly committed to PFAS-free manufacturing or provided ingredient disclosure for this model. The brand has faced no major recalls or regulatory actions specific to chemical hazards in recent footwear lines. However, Merrell's silence on GORE-TEX sourcing and water-repellent coating chemistry is consistent with industry-wide opacity; competitors like Salomon and ASICS offer similar transparency levels. No independent certifications for chemical safety (e.g., Bluesign, OEKO-TEX) are marketed for this shoe.
How it compares in its category
This is a mainstream performance hiking shoe using industry-standard waterproofing technology. Most competitors in the same price and category (Nike ACG, Salomon Speedcross, Hoka Speedgoat) employ identical or similar GORE-TEX systems with comparable PFAS exposure risk. Non-waterproof or membrane-free alternatives (Altra, Topo Athletic) eliminate the waterproof-layer chemical burden but sacrifice weather protection. Full chemical transparency remains rare across the hiking footwear sector.
If you buy it
Wash upper textiles gently by hand in cool water to minimize microfiber shedding and preserve coatings; avoid machine washing and high heat drying. Replace when the GORE-TEX laminate delaminates or the sole shows significant wear (typically 400-600 miles), as degraded waterproofing may release particulates. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow water-repellent coating breakdown. Do not repeatedly treat with aftermarket fluorine-based water-repellent coating sprays; reapplication compounds cumulative PFAS exposure.
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
- Merrell has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More hiking shoes & trail runners 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.