New Balance · Running & Athletic Shoes
New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
The product information we reviewed describes knit textile upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole, with no water-repellent coating named. Water resistance on products like this usually comes from the material and its seals rather than a surface treatment. The brand has published no PFAS statement for it.
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Material
Knit textile upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 is made of, ingredients and materials
The Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 combines a knit textile upper, foam midsole (likely polyurethane or EVA-based), and rubber outsole. Knit uppers avoid the formaldehyde-resin finishes and heavy dye loads common in tightly woven synthetics, though the yarn itself may contain residual dyes. The foam midsole is a closed-cell structure unlikely to off-gas significantly after manufacturing; the rubber outsole is a stable, mature material with minimal leaching risk under normal wear.
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 and textile colorants
Knit yarn may contain residual azo dyes or heavy-metal mordants used in dyeing. New Balance operates under global regulations that ban carcinogenic azo compounds, but pre-treatment residues are common and typically removed by washing before wear.
Foam off-gassing (midsole)
Polyurethane or EVA foam midsoles may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the first few weeks of use, especially in warm conditions. Ventilation and the shoe's own breathing action typically dissipate this within one to two wear cycles; no acute hazard is established.
Antimony in polyester components
If polyester thread or reinforcement is present in seams or toe caps, trace antimony (used as a polymerization catalyst) may be detected. Levels are typically negligible and not absorbed through intact skin; established risk is very low for athletic footwear.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Knit construction avoids the formaldehyde-based resins used in wrinkle-resistant or water-repellent finishes on woven synthetics. No anti-microbial or stiffening resin treatment has been disclosed for this model's upper.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Rubber outsoles are subject to lead and cadmium restrictions under footwear safety directives. No recalls or hazardous metal detections have been reported for New Balance athletic shoes.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
New Balance has not issued a public PFAS stance or water-resistant treatment disclosure for this model. The brand maintains compliance with footwear safety standards (including banned heavy metals in pigments and adhesives under EU and US regulations) but does not routinely publish chemical inventories. No recalls or safety alerts specific to Fresh Foam X models have been issued for hazardous substance contamination.
How it compares in its category
Knit uppers are increasingly standard in athletic shoes and typically carry lower chemical concern than synthetic leather or coated mesh, which often undergo dye-fixation and water-repellent treatments. The Fresh Foam X line uses proprietary cushioning that does not require Teflon-type coating or other fluorinated coatings. This construction is representative of mid-to-premium athletic footwear and sits at the lower end of concern within the running shoe category.
If you buy it
Wash the shoe in cool water with mild detergent to remove residual dyes and manufacturing dust before extended wear. Store in a dry, ventilated space to prevent bacterial or mold growth in the foam. Replace when the midsole shows visible compression or the upper develops tears; foam typically loses cushioning after 300-500 miles of running. Do not expose to prolonged heat (e.g., direct sunlight, hot water, or heat drying), as foam degradation accelerates.
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.
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.