New Balance · Running & Athletic Shoes
New Balance Men's DynaSoft Nitrel v6 Gore Tex
Gore-Tex membranes historically use PFAS; New Balance discloses nothing.
Gore-Tex waterproofing typically contains PFAS compounds. New Balance provides no PFAS disclosure for this shoe, making it a moderate concern without independent testing data.
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Material
Textile with Gore-Tex waterproof membrane
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Azo dyes in textile colorants
Polyester and nylon uppers may be dyed with azo dyes, some of which are regulated as carcinogens or allergens in textile applications. New Balance does not publish dye or pigment supplier audits for this model, so hazard cannot be ruled out.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Textile finishes for wrinkle resistance or water-repellency (non-PFAS treatments) and adhesives bonding the Gore-Tex membrane may contain formaldehyde-releasing compounds. Off-gassing is typically low in finished shoes but detectable in first weeks of wear.
Source: ATSDR ↗Cadmium
Polyester textiles may contain trace antimony (catalyst residue) or cadmium in certain pigments, particularly in darker colorways. Skin contact with finished textile is low-risk, but migration during washing or perspiration cannot be entirely ruled out without material testing.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Polyester and nylon fibers shed during wear and washing, releasing microplastics into waterways. This is a concern for all synthetic athletic shoes but accelerates with abrasion and warm water washing.
Source: EPA ↗Adhesive leachables from Gore-Tex lamination
Gore-Tex laminates use thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyester-based adhesives; these can release residual monomers and solvents if the bond degrades. New Balance provides no data on adhesive formulation or leaching rates for this shoe model.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This shoe pairs a textile upper (likely polyester or nylon blend) with a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane laminated to the interior. Gore-Tex achieves water resistance via expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), a microporous Teflon-type coating layer that historically required PFAS chemicals during manufacture and is often bound with Teflon-family coating adhesives containing additional PFAS. The outer textile layers may also contain dyes, finishes, and adhesives that introduce secondary hazards. The combination creates a durable, breathable waterproof shoe but concentrates PFAS exposure in the membrane closest to skin.
The brand's record and disclosure
New Balance has not published a public PFAS elimination timeline or commitment, and does not disclose waterproofing methods in product specs or sustainability reports examined for this category. The brand has faced criticism from environmental groups regarding PFAS use in footwear but has not responded with binding phase-out pledges or transparent supplier testing. No recalls or contamination incidents specific to New Balance Gore-Tex shoes are on record, but silence on chemical sourcing is the industry norm for mid-market athletic brands.
How it compares in its category
Gore-Tex remains the premium waterproofing standard in hiking and running footwear, and New Balance's use is unremarkable in this segment. Competing brands (Salomon, Merrell, Asics) use Gore-Tex or similar Teflon-family coating membranes with equivalent PFAS profiles. PFAS-free waterproof alternatives exist (eVent, Sympatex) but are less common in men's trail shoes at this price point. The Nitrel v6 offers good durability and comfort for the cost but does not differentiate on chemical safety.
If you buy it
Wash separately in cool water with mild detergent to avoid degrading coatings and prevent PFAS leaching into general wash streams. Do not use fabric softeners, high heat, or machine dry; air-dry only. Replace after 2-3 years of heavy use or when the mesh upper separates from the sole, as delamination signals coating breakdown. Store in a dry place away from direct sunlight to slow degradation of the Gore-Tex bond.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- New Balance has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Running & Athletic Shoes
New Balance
Women's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Shoes
Mesh upper, Fresh Foam midsole, rubber outsole
Azo dyes and color-based toxins
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Standard athletic shoe with no known PFAS triggers, but no brand disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Diadora
Atomo V7000-2
Textile fabric, likely polyester or nylon blend
Azo dyes and synthetic dyes
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester fibers
Limited concern
Adhesive and rubber off-gassing
Limited concern
No public PFAS disclosure; lower concern but unverified.
⚠Risky category by default
More running & athletic shoes 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.