TaylorMade · Golf Balls & Equipment
TaylorMade Women's Stratus Tech Golf Glove
Moisture-treated glove; TaylorMade won't disclose PFAS use.
Synthetic materials with moisture-wicking treatment suit this glove for performance, though water-resistant coatings may contain PFAS. TaylorMade offers no public verification.
The better-graded swap
Wilson
Wilson Ultra Distance Golf Balls
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic leather/microfiber with moisture-wicking treatment
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.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Undisclosed hydrophobic finish on microfiber is almost certainly fluorinated compound-based (PFAS-class or PFAS itself). Skin contact exposure during wear is low-dose but chronic; no dermal toxicity data exists for this glove specifically. Manufacturer silence prevents confirmation or alternative-ingredient verification.
Source, ATSDR ↗Grip coating degradation and microparticulate shedding
Synthetic golf gloves are known to shed elastomer or rubber particles as the palm coating wears, especially under sweat and friction. Microparticles are not acutely toxic but represent inhalation and ingestion risk, particularly during play in warm, dry conditions. No regulatory limits exist for grip coating formulations in this product class.
Microfiber microplastic shedding
Polyester microfiber base sheds fibers under normal wear and washing. Shed rate is lower than woven synthetics but contributes to environmental microplastic burden. Personal inhalation risk from a glove is minimal; environmental concern is primary.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No documented formaldehyde-releaser use in premium golf glove manufacturing, but untested. Budget synthetics sometimes use formaldehyde-based dyes or binders; TaylorMade's mid-tier product is unlikely to employ this, but lack of disclosure prevents certainty.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dye residues (color fastness)
Black or dark-colored synthetic gloves may contain azo dyes; regulatory concern is primarily for allergenic metabolites in direct skin contact over time. No recalls or adverse reports exist for TaylorMade gloves. Sweat can mobilize residual dyes, but data on glove-specific exposure is absent.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Stratus Tech glove uses synthetic microfiber leather as its base, which avoids animal-derived materials but requires chemical treatment for water repellency and grip performance. The "moisture-wicking treatment" is the critical unknown, it almost certainly contains fluorinated compounds (PFAS-class) or similar hydrophobic coatings to shed sweat while maintaining grip. Microfiber itself is nonwoven polyester, which is inert when worn but sheds microfibers under friction and washing. The palm and finger grip zones typically receive a separate elastomer or rubber coating for traction, which can degrade and flake with repeated use and sweat exposure.
The brand's record and disclosure
TaylorMade does not publicly disclose material safety testing, PFAS use, or chemical sourcing for its apparel line. The company has no known third-party certifications (Bluesign, OEKO-TEX, GOTS) for this product category. No recalls or safety complaints are documented for this specific glove model. Industry-wide, golf glove manufacturers rarely disclose moisture treatment chemistry, treating it as proprietary; TaylorMade's silence is standard practice but not reassuring.
How it compares in its category
Most premium golf gloves use synthetic microfiber with fluorocarbon water repellents (PFAS-adjacent or confirmed PFAS) or newer silicone-based hydrophobic finishes; the Stratus Tech sits in that mainstream middle tier. Budget alternatives often use cabretta leather (animal-derived, less chemical processing) or untreated synthetics that absorb sweat. High-end certified options (rare in golf) may use GOTS-organic cotton blends or PFAS-free water repellents, but cost 30-50% more and have shorter lifespans in humid play. The Stratus Tech's durability and performance are competitive for its price, but chemical transparency is not a differentiator.
If you buy it
Wash in cool water by hand or mesh bag before first use to remove residual coating chemicals and finishes. Avoid machine drying or high heat, which can accelerate grip coating degradation. Replace the glove when the palm elastomer begins to peel, crack, or lose tackiness (typically 6-18 months of regular play), as a compromised grip is a safety issue on the course. Store in a breathable pouch, not plastic, to prevent moisture trapping and mold growth in the microfiber.
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
- TaylorMade has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
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Heavy metals
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Bridgestone
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Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic leather
Limited concern
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
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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.