Saucony · Running & Athletic Shoes
Saucony Women's Excursion TR17
Trail running shoe likely treated; water-repellent coating unknown, brand silent.
Saucony does not disclose PFAS in this trail shoe. Modern outdoor footwear often uses water-resistant coatings that may contain PFAS, but specific treatment details are unavailable.
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Material
Synthetic mesh, foam, rubber sole with water-repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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
Synthetic mesh uppers in trail shoes typically receive formaldehyde-based resins for durability and wrinkle resistance. Saucony does not disclose the specific finish chemistry for the Excursion TR17, so resin type and release potential cannot be confirmed but are consistent with category norms.
Source, ATSDR ↗water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry
The water-repellent coating treatment on this shoe is not chemically identified by Saucory or in available product documentation. Many trail shoe manufacturers use PFAS-based water-repellent coating agents; this product's coating identity and PFAS status are unknown (noted separately as PFAS grade Bad/20). Non-PFAS water-repellent coating alternatives exist but are not confirmed here.
Foam degradation and micro-particle shedding
Polyurethane or EVA foam midsoles degrade with age and use, especially above 300-500 miles or if exposed to heat or solvents. Small fragments may be inhaled or transferred; replacement on schedule mitigates this. This is a normal wear-out hazard, not a manufacturing defect specific to Saucony.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in synthetic mesh and rubber
No specific documentation of azo-dye restrictions or testing for the Excursion TR17. Synthetic mesh and rubber sole are potential sources, but no established contamination or recall is on record for this model or Saucony trail footwear.
Antimony in polyester content
Polyester textiles may contain antimony (a processing catalyst), typically in trace amounts. No test data or concern notice is on record for Saucony or this shoe model; antimony risk from apparel is generally considered low in normal use.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Excursion TR17 uses synthetic mesh (likely polyester or nylon blend) for the upper, foam midsole, and rubber outsole with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. Synthetic mesh uppers commonly receive formaldehyde-releasing finishes to improve wrinkle and shape retention; the specific resin type in this shoe is not disclosed by Saucony. Foam midsoles are generally inert during normal wear, though degradation over 300-500 miles can release micro-fragments. The water-repellent coating treatment is the primary chemical concern, as the coating identity and PFAS content remain undisclosed.
The brand's record and disclosure
Saucony has not published a comprehensive PFAS or chemical disclosure policy as of available records. The brand does not list certifications such as bluesign, OEKO-TEX, or similar textile chemical standards for this model. No major recalls or contamination incidents have been publicly associated with Saucony trail footwear. Lack of transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry and formaldehyde-resin use is typical across the running shoe industry but remains a disclosure gap.
How it compares in its category
Most trail running shoes in this price and performance tier use similar synthetic mesh with undisclosed water-repellent coating treatments and formaldehyde finishes. Competitors (New Balance, ASICS, Salomon) do not routinely disclose these details either. Some premium alternatives pursue bluesign or OEKO-TEX certification, but the Excursion TR17 does not. For budget-friendly trail shoes, chemical transparency across the category is limited; this model is neither notably worse nor better on that front.
If you buy it
Air the shoes outdoors for 24-48 hours after purchase to allow initial off-gassing of formaldehyde-resin and adhesive fumes. Wash mesh upper by hand with mild soap and water; avoid machine drying above 95°F (35°C) to prevent foam breakdown. Replace the shoe after 300-500 miles of use or when midsole compression becomes visible, as aged foam may shed micro-fragments. Do not machine wash, bleach, or expose to prolonged heat, as these accelerate coating and adhesive breakdown.
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
- Saucony has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Running & Athletic Shoes
New Balance
Women's Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Shoes
Mesh upper, Fresh Foam midsole, rubber outsole
Azo dyes and color-based toxins
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester
Limited concern
Standard athletic shoe with no known PFAS triggers, but no brand disclosure.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
New Balance
Men's Fresh Foam X Hierro v9
Knit textile upper, foam midsole, rubber outsole
Azo dyes and textile colorants
Limited concern
Foam off-gassing (midsole)
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester components
Limited concern
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
ASICS
Men's Trail Scout 3
Mesh textile upper with synthetic overlays, rubber outsole
Antimony in polyester fibers
Limited concern
Coating degradation and leachables from adhesives
Moderate concern
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
More 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.