New Balance · Waterproof Boots
New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X Hierro Hiker GORE-TEX Running Shoes
GORE-TEX contains PFAS; New Balance discloses nothing about treatment.
GORE-TEX waterproof membrane is manufactured using PFOA and other PFAS. New Balance provides no transparency on water-repellent coating treatments or PFAS-avoidance initiatives for this product.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Textile upper with GORE-TEX membrane waterproofing
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What New Balance Men's Fresh Foam Running Shoes is made of, ingredients and materials
These shoes use a textile upper bonded to a GORE-TEX membrane, which is a expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) film. GORE-TEX's water-repellency relies on fluorocarbon chemistry, meaning PFAS are integral to the product, not a contamination. The textile upper itself (likely nylon or polyester blend) carries minimal hazard on its own; the concern is the fluorinated layer underneath that contacts skin and eventually sheds into soil after disposal.
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.
PFAS
GORE-TEX is manufactured from fluorocarbon polymers (Teflon-type coating) that inherently contain PFAS. These migrate slowly into sweat and soil over the product lifetime. New Balance does not disclose PFAS content or phase-out plans.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in colored upper fabric
Synthetic textile uppers (especially in black or brown colorways) may use azo dyes that can cleave to release aromatic amines under extended sweat and heat exposure. New Balance does not certify Bluesign or GOTS compliance for this model, so dye safety is unverified.
Adhesive off-gassing during break-in
Bonded GORE-TEX membranes use polyurethane or epoxy adhesives that may emit volatile organics (VOCs) during the first days of wear. Airing out shoes for 24-48 hours before first use can reduce this; no brand disclosure available for New Balance's specific adhesive formulation.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No specific reports of formaldehyde-based dyes or wrinkle-resist finishes in New Balance hiking shoes. Standard nylon/polyester textiles may contain trace residues, but this is not a known concern for this product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester components
Antimony is sometimes used as a catalyst in polyester production. No recalls or testing reports suggest elevated antimony in New Balance footwear; this is a rare hazard in footwear.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
New Balance has not published a PFAS phase-out roadmap or detailed material disclosures specific to their GORE-TEX footwear lines. The brand has faced pressure from environmental groups over fluorinated coatings but has not committed to alternatives. No recalls or safety violations have been reported for this model. New Balance's general transparency on chemical composition is below leading competitors like Patagonia or On Running, which publish supplier lists and phase-out timelines.
How it compares in its category
Most hiking and trail running shoes in the premium segment use GORE-TEX or similar fluorinated membranes because non-fluorinated waterproof breathables (like eVent or ceramic-coated fabrics) are less durable or more expensive. Budget alternatives using simple water-resistant nylon coatings (polyurethane, silicone) avoid PFAS but offer shorter waterproof life. This shoe is typical for its price tier and function; the PFAS burden is category-wide, not brand-specific.
If you buy it
Wear these for their intended use (hiking, wet conditions); they are designed for normal foot contact in these applications. Expect the GORE-TEX membrane to begin losing breathability after 300-500 miles of use, at which point replacement is due. Do not machine wash or expose to prolonged heat above 140F, which can degrade the membrane bond. When discarded, recognize that the shoe will contribute PFAS to landfill or compost, so delaying replacement when waterproofing is still adequate reduces exposure burden.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X Hierro Hiker GORE-TEX Running Shoes?
- leather, textile, rubber sole
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- Volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing from adhesives
- Leather/nubuck upper, synthetic/rubber sole, no coating disclosed
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes (leather/textile coloring)
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof boots 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.