Salomon · Running & Athletic Shoes
Salomon Women's Speedcross 6 GTX
Gore-Tex waterproofing likely contains PFAS; no brand disclosure available.
Salomon does not publicly disclose PFAS use or avoidance for this shoe. Gore-Tex membrane typically relies on PFAS chemistry. Consider direct inquiry to brand or PFAS-free alternatives.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Textile upper with Gore-Tex membrane waterproofing
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Salomon Women's Speedcross 6 GTX is made of, ingredients and materials
The Speedcross 6 GTX uses a textile upper (likely polyester or nylon blend) bonded to a Gore-Tex membrane for waterproofing. Gore-Tex is a Teflon-family coating laminate that repels water without breathable holes; this waterproofing mechanism inherently relies on PFAS chemistry. The textile itself may also contain synthetic dyes, adhesives, and finishing treatments applied during manufacturing.
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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester or nylon uppers may contain formaldehyde-based durable-press or water-repellent finishes applied before Gore-Tex lamination. Modern athletic brands have largely phased these out, but Salomon does not publicly commit to formaldehyde-free finishes.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and synthetic colorants
Textile dyeing for the shoe upper typically uses reactive or disperse azo dyes. Salomon does not disclose dye standards or restrictions; some azo dyes can break down into carcinogenic amines under sweat and UV exposure, though regulatory limits are in place in major markets.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic uppers
Polyester and nylon textiles shed microfibers during washing and wear. Gore-Tex laminate shedding is also documented in literature. Shoe durability design minimizes this compared to loosely-woven fabrics, but washing will release some particles.
Adhesive off-gassing from laminate bonding
The Gore-Tex membrane is bonded to the textile upper using polyurethane or reactive adhesives. VOC off-gassing is typically minimal in finished shoes, but can occur slightly during the first few wears or if stored in warm, sealed conditions.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or published testing of Salomon hiking shoes for lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in colorants. Regulatory compliance in EU and North America makes this a lower-probability hazard for branded footwear, though no certification is disclosed.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Salomon has not publicly disclosed PFAS content or phase-out timelines for Gore-Tex products, despite growing industry pressure on waterproofing transparency. The brand offers no dedicated PFAS reduction certifications or third-party testing data for this shoe model. Salomon's parent company (Amer Sports) has made general sustainability commitments but has not singled out fluorochemical elimination.
How it compares in its category
Gore-Tex is the industry standard for premium hiking footwear; most competing trail shoes at this price point (Merrell, La Sportiva, ASICS trail models) also use Gore-Tex or similar fluorinated membranes. Waterproof alternatives with lower PFAS concern (eVent, Pertex Shield) exist but are rarer in women's trail shoes and often cost more or sacrifice breathability. This product sits in the mainstream category where PFAS use is near-universal for membrane waterproofing.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other clothes in cool water and mild detergent to prevent shedding microfibers and preserve the Gore-Tex coating. Avoid machine drying and direct heat, which can degrade the membrane and adhesives. Do not use heavy fabric softeners or bleach. Replace when tread wears or waterproofing visibly breaks down (typically 300-500 km of use); at that point, the shoe is difficult to reseal.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Salomon has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Salomon Women's Speedcross 6 GTX?
- Canvas upper, rubber sole
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes in canvas
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Canvas, rubber sole
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and synthetic dyes
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Mesh upper, Fresh Foam midsole, rubber outsole
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and color-based toxins
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore running & athletic shoes 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.