Women's Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof
Waterproof hiking boot; PFAS coating status undisclosed by brand.
Oboz does not publicly disclose PFAS use or water-repellent coating treatment chemistry for this model. Waterproof outdoor footwear often uses fluorochemical coatings, but Oboz's specific formulation is unknown. Contact brand for coating details.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Textile upper with waterproof membrane coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
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.
Aqua Pure
3M Aqua-Pure AP802B Whole House Filter Housing
- 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. See all of them.
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. See all of them.
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. See all of them.
What Women's Sawtooth X Mid Waterproof is made of, ingredients and materials
The Sawtooth X Mid uses a textile upper (likely nylon or polyester blend) bonded to a waterproof membrane coating, with synthetic rubber or EVA sole. The waterproof layer is the main concern, Oboz does not publicly disclose whether it uses PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments or PFAS-free alternatives. Textile uppers themselves are typically dyed and finished with industrial resins; the membrane and glues introduce additional chemical exposure points.
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.
Azo dyes in textile upper
Synthetic nylon/polyester uppers are routinely dyed with azo dyes, which can degrade to carcinogenic amines under sweat and UV exposure. Oboz does not publish dye standards or certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX 100). Risk is low during normal wear but increases with prolonged moisture contact.
Waterproof membrane coating degradation and off-gassing
Synthetic waterproof membranes (polyurethane, PU laminates) release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) especially when new or heated. PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes may also off-gas fluorinated compounds if the coating is damaged or worn. No specific studies on Oboz Sawtooth X exist, but this is a documented issue in the waterproof footwear category.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Textile uppers are typically treated with formaldehyde-releasing resins for water resistance, wrinkle resistance, and durability. Oboz does not disclose finishing chemistry. Formaldehyde release is generally low in outdoor apparel but concentrates in seams and at glue joints.
Source, ATSDR ↗Adhesives and glues (polyurethane, epoxy)
Boot seams, insole attachment, and upper-to-sole bonding use industrial adhesives that may off-gas isocyanates or uncrosslinked oligomers. These are typically well-cured by the time of purchase but can release when boots age or are exposed to moisture.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester components
Polyester textiles sometimes contain antimony trioxide as a catalyst residue; however, antimony leaching in footwear is not a documented hazard and regulatory limits are generally met in apparel. No specific data on Oboz Sawtooth X, and risk is low in this application.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Oboz has not published transparency reports or PFAS commitments comparable to major outdoor brands (Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Salomon). The company does not disclose waterproof coating chemistry on product pages or in sustainability statements. No major recalls or formal health allegations against Oboz hiking boots have been documented, but the silence on PFAS is a red flag for a waterproof boot category where fluorochemicals are industry standard.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-range waterproof hiking boots (Merrell, Keen, Salomon) also use undisclosed or PFAS-containing membranes; Oboz sits in this mainstream tier. Premium brands are increasingly offering PFAS-free water-repellent coating (Patagonia, some Arc'teryx lines), but at higher cost. The Sawtooth X Mid is typical of the market problem, waterproof performance and PFAS reduction are not yet standard together at this price point.
If you buy it
Wash regularly in cool water with mild detergent to reduce residual chemical off-gassing and extend membrane life (typically 2-3 years of regular use). Avoid machine drying or heat sources above 60°C, which can damage coatings and trigger solvent release. Store dry in a well-ventilated space; avoid sealed bags. Replace when water no longer beads on the upper or seams leak, as re-waterproofing consumer products typically requires spray treatments containing their own PFAS or VOCs.
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
- Oboz has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Boots
Mephisto
Men Mephisto Curt Mt SNEAKER
- leather, textile, rubber sole
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing from adhesives
Vasque
Hiking shoes Vasque Women's Horizon Mid
- Leather/nubuck upper, synthetic/rubber sole, no coating disclosed
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes (leather/textile coloring)
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof boots 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.