Nike · Running & Athletic Shoes
Nike Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX Women's Waterproof Road Running Shoes
GORE-TEX shoes often use PFAS; Nike silent on PFAS content.
GORE-TEX membranes have historically contained PFOA or PFCs for waterproofing. Nike does not publicly disclose PFAS use or claim PFAS-free status for this model.
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
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What Nike Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX Running Shoes is made of, ingredients and materials
The Pegasus 42 uses a textile upper combined with a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane. GORE-TEX is a microporous Teflon-family coating film that repels water while allowing moisture to escape, but this Teflon-family coating structure typically contains or is derived from PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The textile upper itself is likely polyester, nylon, or a blend, which may carry residual finishing chemicals. The outsole is rubber and midsole is foam, neither of which typically introduces chemical hazards in this shoe class.
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 membranes are documented to contain PFAS or be manufactured using PFAS-based processes. Nike has not disclosed PFAS content or confirmed alternatives for this shoe. Skin contact and wear particles are exposure routes, though magnitude is not quantified in public literature.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and nylon textiles commonly use formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance, shrinkage control, and dyeing fixation. Nike has not disclosed finish chemistry for the Pegasus 42 upper, so presence is assumed typical for the category unless stated otherwise.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and colorfast additives
The shoe's colored textile panels may use azo dyes or heavy-metal mordants for color stability. Nike's Restricted Substance List excludes certain azo dyes linked to carcinogens, but this does not confirm which dyes are used in this specific model.
Antimony in polyester
Polyester textiles often use antimony trioxide as a polymerization catalyst. Residual antimony can remain in the finished fabric and may leach under heat or sweat. Exposure is generally low in footwear, but the Pegasus upper material composition (polyester/nylon ratio) is not publicly specified.
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
GORE-TEX membranes bonded to textiles can degrade with age, moisture cycling, and UV exposure, potentially shedding microfibers. Rate and composition of shed material are not documented for this model; risk increases with intensive use and improper care.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has not publicly disclosed PFAS content in GORE-TEX footwear or committed to PFAS-free alternatives in waterproof shoe lines. The company has signed the Nike Manufacturing Covenant and reports on restricted substance lists, but PFAS transparency remains absent from public product documentation. Competitors including Salomon and some Adidas models have begun disclosing PFAS use or exploring alternatives, underscoring Nike's silence as a gap rather than industry standard.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof running shoes face an inherent chemical trade-off, most use fluorocarbon membranes (GORE-TEX, eVent, similar) to achieve durability and breathability. Non-fluorinated waterproofing (waxed seams, hydrophobic coatings without PFAS) exists but is rarer in performance footwear and often compromises breathability or lifespan. The Pegasus 42 sits in the premium mid-tier; it carries the same PFAS exposure as most GORE-TEX competitors but offers no differentiation in chemical disclosure.
If you buy it
Wash upper materials in cool water and air-dry to avoid accelerating coating breakdown; do not use hot water or machine drying, which can degrade the GORE-TEX bond and textile finishes. Replace when the upper fabric shows creasing or the waterproof layer begins to lose bead (water no longer beads on the surface), typically after 400-600 km of running. Store in a cool, dry place; prolonged sun exposure and heat will shorten membrane life. If PFAS exposure is a priority concern, consider asking Nike directly whether PFAS-free waterproof alternatives exist for this model, or explore non-waterproof running shoes.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% 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 Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX Women's Waterproof Road Running Shoes?
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4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Mesh upper, Fresh Foam midsole, rubber outsole
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- 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.