Scarpa Men's Zodiac Plus GTX
GORE-TEX use raises PFAS concern; Scarpa silent on treatment.
Zodiac Plus uses GORE-TEX waterproofing, which historically contains Teflon-type coating-based chemistry, though newer formulations may vary. Scarpa makes no public disclosure on PFAS content or safer alternatives in this model.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Leather/synthetic upper, GORE-TEX membrane liner
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Scarpa Men's Zodiac Plus GTX is made of, ingredients and materials
The Zodiac Plus GTX pairs a leather and synthetic upper with a GORE-TEX membrane liner. Leather itself carries minimal known chemical hazard in finished form, though vegetable or chrome tanning residues are possible; synthetic overlays may contain polyurethane or polyester. The GORE-TEX membrane is a Teflon-family coating matrix designed for waterproofing and breathability, which brings the PFAS exposure concern, as GORE-TEX is known to be treated with fluorinated water repellents during manufacture.
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
Leather tanning, synthetic lamination, and waterproof adhesive bonding of membranes may involve formaldehyde-releasing resins. No known off-gassing complaints or test data for this model; typical for premium footwear this risk is low but unquantified due to lack of disclosure.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from synthetic upper or membrane wear
GORE-TEX membrane and polyurethane/polyester overlays will shed microfibers over time with abrasion and weathering. Scarpa provides no guidance on microplastic migration; risk is incremental over years of use rather than acute.
Bacterial or fungal growth in the GORE-TEX lining if moisture trapped
The breathable membrane can trap moisture in the insole and lining if boots are not dried promptly after wet use. This creates conditions for odor-causing bacteria and mold; not a chemical hazard but a hygiene risk that depends on user maintenance.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in synthetic or dyed leather components
No specific recalls or testing data available for Scarpa footwear. Finished leather and modern synthetic materials in this price range typically comply with EU REACH restrictions, but Scarpa does not publish restricted substance testing or certifications.
Heavy metals
Finished leather in this segment is typically checked against EU heavy metal limits (lead, cadmium, chromium), but Scarpa does not publish test reports or tanning certifications. Risk is low for the finished product but transparency is absent.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Scarpa does not publicly disclose PFAS management, chemical restrictions, or footwear safety certifications on major product pages or sustainability reports. No established recalls or chemical controversies are on record for this model. The brand does not appear to offer transparency comparable to major competitors on restricted substance lists or tanning/finishing methods.
How it compares in its category
GORE-TEX-lined footwear is standard in premium hiking and mountaineering boots and carries inherent PFAS exposure; most competing products in this segment use identical or similar fluorinated membranes. Scarpa's silence on PFAS matches industry norms rather than standing out as poor. Non-membrane waterproofed leather boots (sealed but not breathable) avoid PFAS but reduce comfort in sustained wet conditions.
If you buy it
Clean and dry the boot after each use to extend the waterproof coating and reduce odor or mold risk in the lining. Do not machine-wash or expose to prolonged heat above 60°C, as this may degrade the membrane or adhesive bond. Replace or reseal if the upper or lining shows visible separation, tears, or water wicking into the insole. Store in a cool, dry place and avoid prolonged chlorine or salt water exposure, which can degrade both leather finish and synthetic components.
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
- Scarpa has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.