Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex footwear likely contains PFAS; consider non-waterproofed alternatives.
Gore-Tex is a Teflon-type coating membrane inherently containing PFAS for waterproofing. The brand does not disclose PFAS status for this model. Shoppers concerned about forever chemicals should seek non-Gore-Tex hiking boots.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Gore-Tex (Teflon-type coating-based waterproof membrane) with textile upper
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Fresh Foam X Hierro Mid Gore-Tex is made of, ingredients and materials
This shoe uses Gore-Tex, a Teflon-type coating-based membrane bonded to textile uppers to create waterproofing without a plastic coating. The Gore-Tex layer contains PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) to achieve its water-repellent properties. The upper textile is likely polyester or nylon blend with synthetic reinforcements, which may contain dyes, finishes, and adhesives applied during manufacturing.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishes and dyes on the upper textile may contain formaldehyde releasers. Direct skin contact is limited due to shoe construction, but off-gassing during initial wear in warm conditions is possible.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in polyester/nylon upper
If the upper is synthetic polyester or nylon, low-risk azo dyes are likely used for coloring. Restricted azo dyes (those breaking down to banned amines) are rare in major branded footwear, but not fully excluded without third-party certification.
Adhesive and solvent residues
Gore-Tex lamination and upper assembly require industrial adhesives. Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from adhesives may occur during the first weeks of wear, particularly if stored in warm conditions.
Microfiber shedding from Gore-Tex membrane
Gore-Tex textiles shed microfibers during washing and wear, contributing to aquatic microplastic pollution. The brand has not disclosed measures to reduce shedding or microfiber capture.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester components
Polyester uppers may contain antimony trioxide as a catalyst, but concentrations are typically below migration thresholds. No specific concern is documented for footwear, and external shoe materials pose minimal direct skin contact risk.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand does not publicly commit to eliminating PFAS use or establishing phase-out timelines for waterproof footwear. The brand has not disclosed third-party certifications for restricted substances in this specific shoe line. No major recalls or public health warnings specific to footwear PFAS content are documented, but this reflects limited testing and disclosure rather than proven safety.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream waterproof hiking and outdoor shoes use Gore-Tex or similar Teflon-type coating membranes, making PFAS exposure nearly universal in this performance segment. Non-waterproofed or non-Teflon-type coating alternatives (canvas, leather, or synthetic uppers with water-resistant rather than waterproof treatments) eliminate this hazard but sacrifice breathability and water barrier performance. The brand's positioning here is standard practice; this is a category-wide trade-off rather than a brand-specific failure.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other clothing to minimize microfiber shedding into water systems. Air dry only; heat from dryers or direct sunlight can degrade Gore-Tex and release volatile compounds. Avoid machine washing if possible; hand cleaning with cool water and mild soap is gentler. Expect the membrane to remain functional for 500-1000 hours of use; replacement is more practical than repair once waterproofing fails.
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
- 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.