TaylorMade · Golf Balls & Equipment
TaylorMade Stratus Soft Golf Glove
Bare glove poses lower concern, brand silent on treatments.
TaylorMade leather or synthetic golf gloves lack typical PFAS triggers, though any water-repellent finish remains unspecified.
The better-graded swap
Vice Golf
Vice Golf 24-Ball Variety Pack
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
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Material
Leather, synthetic leather, or treated textile blend
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
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 stiffening and mold resistance often rely on formaldehyde-releasing compounds. No specific testing of TaylorMade Stratus for formaldehyde release has been disclosed; exposure via dermal contact during wear is intermittent but cumulative over seasons.
Source, ATSDR ↗Chromium (Cr III/VI) from leather tanning
Standard chrome tanning is ubiquitous in leather production and can leave trace residues. Conversion to hexavalent chromium (Cr VI, a carcinogen) is unlikely in finished leather but oxidation risk increases if glove is heated or aged. No TaylorMade testing data available.
Azo dyes and colorant additives
Synthetic leather overlays and stitching thread are typically dyed with conventional azo dyes, some of which are restricted in EU but unregulated in the US. Dermal sensitization or systemic absorption from sweat activation is low risk for a non-occluded glove but not zero.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyurethane or polyester reinforcements and stitching adhesives may include formaldehyde-releasing stabilizers. Glove construction typically involves minimal adhesive compared to other apparel, limiting overall exposure.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Antimony in polyester synthetic components
Polyester catalysts can contain trace antimony trioxide. Golf glove polyester content is typically low and localized; no specific antimony testing or concern has been flagged for TaylorMade or similar golf gloves.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
TaylorMade Stratus Soft gloves are typically constructed from leather (often cabretta or synthetic leather blends) with stitched synthetic overlays and elastic closures. Leather tanning and finishing involves heavy chemical processing, including potential use of chromium salts, formaldehyde resins (for stiffness), and antimicrobial agents. The synthetic components may include polyester or polyurethane with dyes and finishing treatments. Direct skin contact during use means dermal absorption pathways are relevant, though gloves are worn briefly and intermittently.
The brand's record and disclosure
TaylorMade (owned by KPS Capital Partners) does not publicly disclose chemical composition, tanning methods, or third-party testing for golf gloves. The brand has no known major product safety recalls or chemical hazard controversies in the public record for gloves. No certifications (e.g., Leather Working Group environmental standard, Oeko-Tex) are advertised for this model. Transparency on treatment chemicals and PFAS use in finishes remains absent.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves occupy a niche within apparel with lower chemical risk than, for example, heavily dyed athletic wear or flame-retardant textiles. Leather gloves are generally lower-risk than synthetic gloves for formaldehyde and azo dyes, but tanning byproducts (chromium, formaldehyde resins) remain standard industry practice. Competitors (Callaway, Titleist, FootJoy) similarly lack public disclosure on chemical treatment. Premium leather gloves are functionally similar to Stratus in chemical exposure profile.
If you buy it
Wash hands after use to minimize residual chemical contact from manufacturing finishes and dyes. Store gloves in a breathable bag or open air to allow off-gassing of volatile compounds from tanning and finishing. Replace gloves when leather shows visible wear, cracking, or loss of grip, typically every 12-18 months of regular play. Do not expose to heat sources (direct sun, dryers, heaters) as this may degrade coatings and increase leaching; air-dry only.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 68% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- TaylorMade has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More golf balls & equipment 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.