Puma · Synthetic Athletic Insoles & Orthotics
Puma Evercushion Plus insoles poron red
Avoid. Puma provides no PFAS disclosure for this insole.
Poron is a polyurethane foam used in cushioning, not inherently PFAS-prone, but Puma discloses nothing about PFAS or coatings applied to this insole.
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Material
Poron foam (polyurethane-based cushioning)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
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.
Unknown / proprietary coating
A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry.
Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
Poron insoles may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing and early use, particularly when warm or compressed. This risk is inherent to polyurethane foam and typically mild in closed-cell formulations, but Puma does not disclose cure times or residual solvent content.
Azo dyes and colorant leachability
The red pigmentation suggests synthetic colorants; no public data confirms whether these are azo-dye based or azo-free. If azo-based dyes are present, prolonged moisture and heat exposure could release aromatic amines, though skin contact risk is low given the barrier of footwear.
Flame retardants
Many polyurethane foam insoles incorporate flame retardants for compliance with flammability standards; Puma does not disclose whether brominated, chlorinated, or non-halogenated types are used. While insoles are not a primary dermal contact surface, cumulative chemical exposure over months of use cannot be ruled out.
Source, EPA ↗Moisture retention and microbial growth
Closed-cell foam is less prone to bacterial colonization than open-cell types, but moisture entrapment in insoles can still promote odor-causing bacteria and fungi if insoles are not dried regularly. This is a hygiene rather than toxicological hazard but relevant to product maintenance.
PFAS
Insole durability is often enhanced by water-resistant treatments that may contain legacy PFAS (PFOA, PFOS) or newer alternatives (GenX, PFBA). Puma's complete silence on this issue creates uncertainty; many foam insole manufacturers have not disclosed their formulations or publicly committed to transitioning away from PFAS-containing materials.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Poron is a closed-cell polyurethane foam engineered for cushioning and impact absorption. The red coloring suggests addition of pigments or dyes to the base foam material. Polyurethane foams used in insoles are generally stable under normal foot-contact conditions, but the formulation details (cross-linking agents, flame retardants, colorants) are not disclosed by Puma and vary by supplier. No widespread safety incidents have been documented for Poron insoles specifically, though the material's chemical composition remains proprietary.
The brand's record and disclosure
Puma has faced criticism for limited chemical transparency across its product lines and has not published comprehensive hazardous substance policies comparable to competitors like Adidas or Nike. The company provides no publicly available information on PFAS content, flame retardants, or processing chemicals in this insole. No product recalls for Puma Evercushion insoles appear on record. Puma holds no major third-party certifications (e.g., Oeko-Tex, Bluesign) for this category of accessory.
How it compares in its category
Insole hazard profiles depend heavily on material (polyurethane, EVA, gel, natural rubber) and manufacturing transparency. Poron-based insoles are mid-range in disclosure practices compared to premium alternatives (some brands certify chemical safety) and mass-market competitors. The lack of PFAS transparency is a notable gap, as water-resistant insole foams sometimes contain PFAS to enhance durability. This product does not stand out negatively on non-PFAS metrics but offers no compensating certifications or guarantees.
If you buy it
Replace insoles every 6-12 months depending on activity level and moisture exposure, as cushioning degradation and moisture retention increase chemical leachability risk over time. Avoid prolonged storage in heat or direct sunlight, which can accelerate foam breakdown. Wash feet after wear if the red dye transfers onto skin (unlikely but worth monitoring). If you have sensitive skin or respiratory sensitivity to polyurethane off-gassing, test with short wearing periods first.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Puma has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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⚠Starting grade for this product type
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Limited concern
PFAS concern is unlikely, though brand silence limits certainty.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More synthetic athletic insoles & orthotics 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.