Mizuno · Golf Balls & Equipment
Mizuno Cabretta Leather Golf Glove
Leather glove lacks water treatment, indicating low PFAS risk.
Natural Cabretta leather has minimal PFAS risk, and golf gloves typically lack water-repellent coatings that introduce PFAS.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Cabretta leather, likely with standard leather tanning and finishing
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.
Azo dyes in leather coloring
Leather colorants may include azo dyes (typically brown, tan shades); many are banned in textiles but permitted in leather goods. Mizuno does not disclose dye chemistry, and glove contact is brief and dry, reducing absorption risk.
Allergen sensitization to leather proteins or dyes
Individuals with nickel or chromium sensitivity may react to leather glove contact; those with known latex allergy are not at risk (Cabretta is not latex). Patch-testing is the only reliable prediction method for this population.
Mold/bacterial growth if stored damp
Leather gloves stored in humid or wet conditions can harbor mold and bacteria, creating odor and potential skin irritation rather than chemical hazard. Proper drying and ventilation prevent this entirely.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Chromium residue (if chrome-tanned)
Chrome tanning is standard for Cabretta; fully tanned leather contains chromium in stable trivalent form with minimal skin leaching documented in peer literature. No recalls or health reports for Mizuno gloves exist.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather finishing can include urea-formaldehyde resins for water resistance; no published data flags Mizuno gloves specifically. Short-term, dry skin contact poses negligible risk compared to apparel with high formaldehyde burden.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Cabretta leather is sheepskin tanned using either chromium salts or vegetable tannins, depending on the tannery; Mizuno does not publicly specify which method is used for this glove. Both tanning routes are standard in golf-glove production and leave minimal residual chemical burden when properly finished. The glove's brief skin contact during play (hours per week, not continuous wear) limits exposure to any residual tanning agents or dyes.
The brand's record and disclosure
Mizuno is a Japanese sportswear manufacturer with no public recalls or safety advisories specific to leather gloves. The company does not publish detailed chemical-disclosure statements for apparel and has been silent on PFAS use in leather finishing. No third-party certifications (Oeko-Tex, Leather Working Group) are advertised for this product line, though such certifications are not universal in golf gloves.
How it compares in its category
Cabretta leather gloves are industry standard for golf and sit at the premium end of the market. They carry comparable or lower chemical risk than synthetic leather alternatives (polyurethane, vinyl) which may off-gas plasticizers. Organic or vegetable-tanned leather gloves from specialty makers offer theoretical advantage but are rare and lack definitive evidence of lower PFAS concern in published testing.
If you buy it
Wash new gloves in cool water with mild soap before first use to remove residual tanning dust and finish chemicals. Store dry in a breathable pouch away from heat or sunlight to prevent mold and preserve leather. Replace when seams fray or leather becomes overly stiff despite conditioning; typical lifespan is 1-3 seasons depending on frequency. No special hazards require modified care beyond standard leather-goods maintenance.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Mizuno has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More golf balls & equipment 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.