Merrell Women's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof
Waterproof hiking boot with undisclosed treatment; PFAS risk unclear.
Merrell does not disclose PFAS or waterproofing chemistry for this model. Waterproof coatings on leather often contain Teflon-family coating, but brand transparency is absent. Contact Merrell directly for specifics.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nubuck leather upper, unspecified waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Merrell Women's Moab 3 Mid Waterproof is made of, ingredients and materials
The Moab 3 Mid uses nubuck leather (sanded leather surface) for the upper, which is more breathable than full-grain but absorbs water faster if unprotected. Merrell applies an unspecified waterproof coating to achieve water resistance; this is the key unknown. Nubuck itself is stable, but the coating chemistry, durability, and potential chemical leaching during wet conditions are not publicly detailed by the brand.
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.
Waterproof coating chemistry (unspecified)
Merrell does not disclose the waterproofing treatment used on the Moab 3 Mid. While the parent company pledged PFAS phase-out, this specific model's compliance is unconfirmed. The coating may leach or off-gas, particularly when wet or exposed to heat.
Adhesives and synthetic components
Hiking boots typically use polyurethane or rubber sole adhesives and may contain plastic reinforcements in the midsole. These are not detailed for the Moab 3 Mid. Off-gassing of adhesive volatile compounds occurs during initial wear, usually subsiding within days.
Coating degradation over time
All waterproof coatings degrade with wear and washing. As the coating breaks down, the underlying nubuck absorbs water, potentially mobilizing any residual chemicals in the leather or adhesives. Replacement timing depends on use frequency; expect replacement every 1-2 years for regular hiking use.
What’s reassuring
Leather tanning residues
Nubuck leather undergoes sanding and finishing; chrome tanning is standard in the industry. No specific contamination has been reported for Merrell tannage. Chromium levels in quality leather footwear are generally within acceptable limits, but full supply-chain transparency is unavailable.
Dye and finish compounds in nubuck
Nubuck is dyed and surface-treated during finishing. No azo dyes, heavy metal dyes, or formaldehyde resins have been reported for Merrell nubuck footwear. Industry standard practices suggest low risk, but supplier details are not publicly available.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Merrell has not published detailed chemical composition or waterproofing treatment disclosures for the Moab 3 line. The brand does not list PFAS in publicly available materials or certifications for this model. No major recalls or toxicity warnings have been recorded for this specific shoe. Merrell is owned by Wolverine Worldwide, which committed to PFAS phase-out by 2025 in 2021, but enforcement and timeline for existing products remains unclear.
How it compares in its category
The Moab 3 Mid is a mid-range hiking boot. Many competitors in this price tier (Salomon, KEEN) also withhold detailed coating disclosures but some brands now offer PFAS-free waterproofing options (e.g., Danner, some KEEN models). The nubuck material choice is common and has lower concern than synthetic uppers treated with multiple coatings, but the unspecified water treatment puts this product in a middle tier for transparency.
If you buy it
Clean and condition nubuck regularly with appropriate leather cleaner to extend coating life and reduce likelihood of water penetration forcing chemical exposure. Avoid machine washing or prolonged water immersion; air dry only. Replace the shoe if the nubuck surface becomes visibly degraded, matted, or waterproofing fails (water pools on upper rather than beading). Rotate with other footwear to reduce daily chemical off-gassing exposure from the coating.
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.
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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.