New Balance · Running & Athletic Shoes
New Balance Men's Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
Trail shoe with likely water-repellent coating; PFAS status unclear from brand.
New Balance does not disclose PFAS use or water-repellent chemistry for this trail shoe. Standard water-repellent coating finishes often contain PFAS, but specifics are unavailable.
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Material
Knit textile with water-repellent coating treatment
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.
PFAS
Trail shoe upper carries a water-repellent coating treatment typical of the category; chemical composition unknown from brand. Fluorochemical-based water-repellent coating coatings are common but may contain legacy PFOA or other PFAS compounds that can migrate to skin or leach during washing.
Source: ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Shoe construction involves adhesives and finish treatments that may contain or release trace formaldehyde; no specific testing data is available for this model. Footwear is worn externally and provides distance from the mouth/nose, limiting inhalation risk compared to clothing.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from knit upper
Synthetic knit textiles shed microfibers during wear and washing, a known environmental concern. While not a direct consumer health hazard, shed fibers contribute to microplastic pollution and may re-enter food and water supplies.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in synthetic knit fabrics
No specific azo dye contamination or restriction violations are on record for New Balance footwear or this model. Synthetic knit uppers in footwear are not typically a high-risk vector for azo dyes compared to apparel, but dyes used in coloring are standard in textile production.
Antimony in polyester components
Antimony use as a catalyst in polyester fiber production is industry standard but tightly regulated and typically not a leaching hazard in finished textiles. No reports of antimony issues in New Balance footwear are available.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 uses a knit textile upper combined with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment, standard for trail footwear to shed moisture and mud. water-repellent coating coatings are typically applied via fluorochemical compounds to create a water-shedding surface without adding bulk. The knit construction itself is likely polyester or nylon blended with synthetic fibers, common in athletic footwear uppers. water-repellent coating treatments degrade with washing and wear, requiring reapplication over time.
The brand's record and disclosure
New Balance has not publicly disclosed whether this model uses legacy PFOA-based water-repellent coating or newer alternatives such as fluorine-free or short-chain fluorochemicals. The brand's general PFAS transparency record is limited; they have not signed major commitments to phase out all PFAS in footwear, unlike some competitors. No major recalls or contamination incidents are on record for this specific model. Lack of public disclosure does not confirm PFAS use, but it reflects minimal communication about a known hazard in athletic footwear.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream trail shoes from major brands (including Salomon, Merrell, and others) use water-repellent coating treatments, making this footwear typical rather than exceptional for the category. Some premium or eco-focused brands now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives using paraffin, silicone, or other non-fluorine approaches, though performance trade-offs exist. New Balance's lack of public commitment to phase-out places it in the middle of the market regarding transparency. Price and performance of the Fresh Foam X Hierro v9 are competitive, but water-repellent coating chemical choices remain opaque.
If you buy it
Minimize skin contact with wet uppers immediately after purchase and wear moisture-wicking socks to reduce direct absorption of any water-repellent coating residue. Avoid machine washing; instead rinse upper fabric with plain water and air dry to preserve the water-repellent coating coat longer and reduce leaching. Replace or reapply water-repellent coating treatment when water no longer beads on the upper (typically after 6-12 months of use), which extends the life of both the coating and your control over its chemical exposure. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat, which can degrade synthetic fibers and water-repellent coating adhesion.
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
- 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.