Salomon Women's Crosstrak Powder Waterproof
Waterproof boots likely treated with PFAS-based water-repellent coating. Salomon doesn't disclose.
These boots are marketed as waterproof, which typically indicates a water-repellent coating finish, historically fluorocarbon-based. Salomon makes no public statement about PFAS use or avoidance. No testing or PFAS-free certification is publicly available.
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Material
Textile with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating, likely fluorocarbon-based
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.
Azo dyes in fabric dyeing
The Crosstrak is available in multiple colors (black, gray, etc.). No testing data is available; Salomon's dyeing supply chain is not publicly audited for banned azo compounds, though reputable footwear manufacturers typically comply with EU Restricted Substances List.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
water-repellent coating coatings on waterproof boots naturally degrade over time and use, releasing micro-scale particles into soil and water during wear and washing. For fluorocarbon-based water-repellent coating, this is a documented route of PFAS environmental release but is not specific to this product.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public evidence of formaldehyde-based stiffening agents or wrinkle-resistant finishes in the Crosstrak upper. Standard polyester/nylon textiles in cold-weather boots rarely require formaldehyde treatment.
Source: ATSDR ↗Adhesive and glue off-gassing
Modern boot construction uses solvent-free or low-VOC adhesives as standard. No specific off-gassing issues have been reported for the Crosstrak.
Antimony in polyester components
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester production but remains locked in the polymer matrix; migration into skin or sweat is not a documented concern for intact footwear.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Crosstrak Powder uses a textile upper (likely polyester or nylon blend) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the fabric surface. water-repellent coating treatments on outdoor footwear are typically fluorocarbon-based compounds that repel water and stains but persist in the environment and human tissue. Salomon does not publicly disclose whether this boot uses legacy long-chain PFAS, newer short-chain alternatives, or fluorine-free systems. The waterproof membrane and insulation layers are standard for cold-weather boots and carry minimal chemical hazard beyond the water-repellent coating treatment itself.
The brand's record and disclosure
Salomon has not published a PFAS phase-out commitment or detailed material transparency reports for footwear. The brand does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry on product pages or technical documentation for the Crosstrak line. No major recalls or chemical safety controversies are documented for this specific model. Salomon's parent company (Amer Sports) has not signed the ZDHC Gateway or committed to fluorine-free water-repellent coating alternatives industry-wide, though some premium Salomon products reference bluesign certification (which restricts but does not eliminate PFAS use).
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream waterproof winter boots at this price point ($80-150 USD range) use fluorocarbon water-repellent coating; the Crosstrak is typical, not exceptional. Premium alternatives (Scarpa, La Sportiva higher tiers) sometimes specify proprietary fluorine-free or short-chain PFAS treatments, but documentation is rare. Budget boots often use older, longer-lasting PFAS formulations. The Crosstrak sits in the middle of the market for both waterproofing performance and chemical transparency, no better or worse than peers, but without distinguishing commitment to safer alternatives.
If you buy it
Rinse water-repellent coating-treated boots with plain water after muddy or salty use to minimize PFAS mobilization into soil and water. Do not heat-dry these boots or expose them to high temperatures, as this can accelerate water-repellent coating breakdown and coating shedding. Replace boots when insulation compresses, fabric tears, or waterproofing noticeably fails (typically 2-3 seasons with regular use). Avoid dry-cleaning or industrial laundering, which can degrade membranes; instead, gently hand-wash with cool water and air-dry.
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
- Salomon has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More 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.