Merrell · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Merrell Men's Moab 3 Waterproof
Waterproof hiking shoe, PFAS coating unspecified, warrants higher concern.
Merrell stays quiet on whether the waterproof treatment uses PFAS. Waterproof footwear typically relies on fluorinated water-repellent coating coatings, raising concern absent explicit brand claims otherwise.
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Material
Nubuck leather upper, proprietary waterproof lining
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.
Waterproof coating composition (unspecified)
Merrell does not disclose whether the proprietary waterproof lining uses Teflon-type coating or other fluorinated compounds. Industry standard hiking shoe membranes often rely on PFAS chemistry; this product's composition is opaque.
Adhesives and glue off-gassing
Shoe construction uses adhesives to bond the upper, lining, and sole; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from urethane or solvent-based glues may off-gas initially. Airing shoes indoors before wear can minimize inhalation exposure.
Coating degradation and microplastic release
As the waterproof lining ages and delaminates (common in hiking boots after 1-2 years), membrane fragments may shed inside the shoe. If the lining material includes polymeric films, small particles could theoretically be contacted; extent unknown without material disclosure.
What’s reassuring
Leather tanning and finishing chemicals
Nubuck undergoes sanding and chemical finishing; however, no specific recalls or toxicology concerns have been reported for Merrell nubuck footwear. Leather Working Group certification suggests tannery controls, but residual formaldehyde or heavy metals from tanning are not publicly tested for this product.
Azo dyes in leather
Nubuck dyeing can involve azo dyes; Merrell does not publish dye chemistry or restricted substance lists for this shoe. No established safety concern documented, but transparency is limited.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Moab 3 uses nubuck leather (sanded leather surface) for the upper, which is a natural material with minimal inherent chemical risk compared to synthetics. The critical unknown is the waterproof lining system, Merrell does not publicly disclose whether this uses Teflon-type coating-based coatings (like Gore-Tex) or newer PFAS-free alternatives. Nubuck itself requires protective treatments to resist water and staining, which may involve additional chemical finishes applied during tanning or finishing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Merrell (owned by Wolverine World Wide) has not published transparency statements specifically addressing PFAS use in footwear linings or waterproofing systems. The brand maintains certifications like Leather Working Group environmental standards for leather sourcing but remains silent on synthetic coating chemistry. No major recalls or established chemical safety controversies for this specific model have been documented in public records.
How it compares in its category
Hiking shoes in this price and performance tier typically use either Teflon-type coating-based waterproof membranes (industry standard but PFAS-intensive) or proprietary alternatives of unknown composition. Merrell does not market these as 'PFAS-free,' which distinguishes them from newer brands explicitly avoiding fluorinated chemistry. Nubuck uppers have lower concern than synthetic leather or mesh when looking to avoid microplastic shedding or chemical coatings on the visible surface.
If you buy it
Clean nubuck with a soft brush regularly to preserve the surface and waterproofing; avoid machine washing or direct heat drying, which can degrade the coating and accelerate wear. Reapply nubuck protectant spray annually if you use these shoes frequently in wet conditions to extend the waterproof lining's effective life. Replace when the sole shows significant wear or the waterproof lining fails (water pooling inside), typically after 12-18 months of regular hiking use. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent premature coating breakdown.
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.