Salomon Men's X Ultra 360 Mid Gore-Tex
Gore-Tex carries inherent PFAS risk. Salomon silent on composition.
The Salomon X Ultra 360 Mid uses Gore-Tex, a membrane traditionally based on Teflon-type coating and Teflon-family coating, both PFAS compounds. Neither Salomon nor Gore-Tex makes public PFAS-free claims or certifications. Transparency is lacking.
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Material
Gore-Tex membrane (Teflon-family coating-based waterproof laminate)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Shoe adhesives and textile finishing resins may contain formaldehyde releasers, common in boot manufacture. No recall or complaint history for this model; exposure is minimal given external-only contact and low volatilization in cool mountain conditions.
Source: ATSDR ↗Rubber and adhesive off-gassing (VOCs)
New boot odor indicates volatile organic compound release from synthetic rubber sole and polyurethane adhesives. Typically subsides within 48-72 hours. Air in a ventilated space before first wear if odor-sensitive.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic uppers
Abrasion of nylon mesh and polyester components releases microplastics into soil and water during use. Unavoidable with synthetic boots; magnitude depends on terrain roughness and wear rate, not specific to this model.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in synthetic uppers
Nylon and polyester mesh in this model have not been publicly reported to contain restricted azo dyes. Salomon does not disclose dye suppliers. Risk is low but unaudited.
Antimony in polyester components
Polyester mesh may contain antimony trioxide catalyst residue (0.1-0.3% typical). No known issue reported for Salomon boots; skin contact is fleeting and external.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The X Ultra 360 Mid uses Gore-Tex, a Teflon-family coating-based laminate bonded to textile uppers (likely nylon or polyester mesh with suede/synthetic overlays). Gore-Tex's water repellency depends on fluorochemical treatment, which introduces PFAS into the material structure itself. The boot also contains synthetic rubber sole and EVA midsole (lower hazard), plus adhesives and thread. Teflon-family coating membranes cannot achieve waterproofing without PFAS; this is inherent to the technology.
The brand's record and disclosure
Salomon (owned by Amer Sports) has not published a public PFAS commitment or transparency report regarding footwear composition. The brand offers no eco-labeled or PFAS-reduced lines in hiking boots. Salomon certifies Gore-Tex fit but does not disclose whether Gore-Tex variants (standard vs. extended durability) differ in fluorochemical load. This silence suggests routine PFAS use without auditing or disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Most three-season waterproof mid-hiking boots (Merrell, La Sportiva, Columbia) also use Gore-Tex or comparable Teflon-family coating laminates, making PFAS nearly universal at this performance tier. Non-Gore-Tex alternatives (eVent, Paragon) exist but are rarer and often more expensive. The X Ultra 360 is middle-of-market for PFAS exposure; it is not a worst or best case within waterproof hiking boots.
If you buy it
Rinse the exterior after muddy or salty terrain to reduce dermal PFAS contact; do not machine wash or expose to heat above 60C (Gore-Tex degrades and may leach). Store dry and away from direct sunlight to slow Teflon-family coating aging. Replace when waterproofing fails visibly (water beading loss), typically 3-5 years of regular use. Do not burn or incinerate end-of-life; donate or dispose as textile waste to avoid environmental release.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Salomon has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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