Nike · Running & Athletic Shoes
Nike Men's Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX Running Shoes
Skip until Nike confirms GORE-TEX PFAS status or switches membranes.
GORE-TEX waterproof membranes historically contain PFAS as core chemistry. Nike does not disclose PFAS use or alternatives in this shoe. Lab data unavailable.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
textile upper with GORE-TEX waterproof membrane
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Nike Men's Pegasus 42 Running Shoes is made of, ingredients and materials
The Pegasus 42 upper is textile (likely synthetic mesh and knit) bonded to a GORE-TEX waterproof-breathable membrane. GORE-TEX is a microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) product; historical GORE-TEX membranes used PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments on the outer shell to maintain hydrophobicity. Nike has not publicly confirmed whether this model uses legacy PFAS chemistry, a phased replacement, or PFAS-free water-repellent coating. The textile itself presents lower acute chemical concern but may contain residual dyes, finishes, or formaldehyde-releasing resins typical to the category.
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 historically used PFAS-based fluorinated water-repellent coating; Nike has not publicly confirmed cessation or alternative for this model. Exposure is primarily dermal (feet) during wear, but PFAS can bioaccumulate over extended use of the product. Uncertainty itself is the hazard here, no third-party test data available.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Synthetic mesh and knit uppers often receive formaldehyde-releasing wrinkle resistance or antimicrobial finishes. No recall or specific test result on record for the Pegasus 42, but the hazard is category-typical for untested athletic textiles. Off-gassing is typically highest in the first weeks post-purchase.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes or reactive dyes in colored fabric
The shoe's upper uses dyed synthetic textiles; azo dyes can degrade to carcinogenic amines under sweat, friction, or UV exposure over months. No recall or specific test data exists for this model. Risk is low for incidental skin contact but heightened for prolonged foot exposure in a warm, moist microenvironment.
Degradation of bonded membrane
Repeated flexing, sweat exposure, and laundry can delaminate the GORE-TEX layer from the textile upper over 12-24 months of regular use. This is a durability issue, not an acute toxicity hazard, but delamination can expose adhesive residues (typically polyurethane-based) to skin.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No specific test result or recall implicates lead, cadmium, or chromium in the Pegasus 42. This hazard is monitored more closely in ceramics and enameled cookware than in synthetic athletic textiles; however, untested dyehouses in some supply chains remain a background concern across the apparel category.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has not issued a clear, model-specific statement on PFAS elimination in GORE-TEX-lined footwear as of public record. The brand signed the Microfiber Consortium and promotes sustainability messaging, but has resisted transparent PFAS phase-out timelines for technical textiles. Nike's historical silence on PFAS in premium membranes, combined with GORE-TEX's known prior reliance on fluorinated chemistry, leaves buyer uncertainty unresolved.
How it compares in its category
Premium running shoes with GORE-TEX or equivalent membranes occupy a niche; most running shoes use non-waterproof synthetics and carry no PFAS membrane concern. Some competitors (e.g. Salomon, some ASICS models) have begun using PFAS-free or proprietary membranes, though disclosure remains inconsistent across brands. The Pegasus 42 sits in the high-cost segment where PFAS transparency should be standard, not optional.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat; GORE-TEX integrity degrades under sustained high temperature but normal wear and washing do not trigger Teflon-type coating fume release. Hand wash or use a gentle machine cycle; avoid chlorine-based cleaners and excessive tumble drying. Replace when the textile upper separates from the membrane, the toe box deforms, or sole grip is lost (typically 300-500 miles). Monitor for any visible coating flaking; this is not routine and may signal premature degradation.
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
- Nike has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Nike Men's Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX Running Shoes?
- Canvas upper, rubber sole
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes in canvas
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Canvas, rubber sole
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and synthetic dyes
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Mesh upper, Fresh Foam midsole, rubber outsole
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and color-based toxins
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore 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.