Nike Terminator High
No public PFAS disclosure; water-repellent coating treatment use uncertain without testing.
Nike does not publicly disclose PFAS use in Terminator High. Standard sneaker leather and textile uppers may have water-repellent coating, common source of PFAS in apparel, but specifics undocumented.
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Material
Leather and textile upper with rubber sole, likely water-repellent coating-treated
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
Leather and textile uppers almost certainly received a water-repellent coating; Nike has not disclosed whether this is PFAS-based or PFAS-free. Legacy water-repellent coating formulations relied on PFOS/PFOA. Skin contact and inhalation during wear are low-intensity exposures, but the chemical persists in the environment after disposal.
Source: ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in textile and leather coloring
Leather dyeing and synthetic textile printing may use azo dyes, which can degrade into aromatic amines under sweat or heat. Nike does not publish dye chemistry for the Terminator High. Risk is minimal during normal wear but increases if the shoe is subjected to prolonged moisture and friction.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather tanning and textile finishing sometimes involve formaldehyde-based resins (e.g., in dyes or binders). Off-gassing is typically limited after initial curing but may occur in closed storage or humid conditions. No recall or test data specific to this model.
Source: ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Leather finishing and color pigments may contain trace lead or cadmium, particularly in darker dyes. Direct skin contact during wear poses low risk due to the leather barrier, but risk rises if leather is abraded or if the shoe is chewed by children or pets.
Source: FDA ↗Microplastic shedding from synthetic uppers and rubber sole
Textile and rubber components shed microparticles with normal wear, contributing to environmental microplastic load. This is not a personal health hazard during wear but represents a product end-of-life concern shared by all synthetic sneakers.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Terminator High uses a leather and textile upper with a rubber sole, a typical construction for basketball-heritage sneakers. Leather itself is generally stable when worn, but the concern here is the likely water-repellent (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the uppers and possibly the lining. water-repellent coating treatments on textiles historically relied on PFAS compounds (perfluorooctanoic acid and similar), though some brands have shifted to PFAS-free alternatives. Without Nike's explicit disclosure, the specific chemistry of this shoe's water treatment is unknown.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has not made public statements on PFAS use or phase-out timelines for the Terminator High or most of its footwear line. The company maintains general sustainability goals but has not committed to PFAS-free manufacturing in athletic shoes, unlike some competitors (e.g., Salomon, Patagonia in outerwear). Nike's lack of transparency on this product reflects a broader industry pattern where chemical disclosure remains minimal for athletic footwear.
How it compares in its category
Standard athletic sneakers across major brands (Adidas, New Balance, Puma) rarely disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. The Terminator High sits in the middle of the market: it is not marketed as explicitly eco-designed or chemical-transparent, nor is it a budget model with known cost-cutting shortcuts. Comparable basketball shoes from Nike (e.g., Air Jordan 1) face identical disclosure gaps.
If you buy it
Wear in well-ventilated spaces during the first few days to allow any volatile compounds from manufacturing and finishing to dissipate. Avoid deliberate heat exposure (direct sunlight drying, ovens, dryers) that could accelerate leaching of finish chemicals. Clean with mild soap and water; avoid waterproofing re-treatments unless you confirm the product is PFAS-free. Replace after visible sole wear or upper deterioration, not due to chemical concerns alone.
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
- Nike has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.