Men Hiking Trainers Tecnica Spark Mid GTX
Unknown waterproofing treatment; limited transparency on PFAS.
Tecnica Spark Mid GTX uses Gore-Tex for waterproofing, a Teflon-family coating membrane historically associated with PFAS in manufacture. Tecnica does not publicly disclose PFAS content or water-repellent coating treatment specifics.
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Material
Synthetic textile upper with GTX waterproof membrane
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Men Hiking Trainers Tecnica Spark Mid GTX is made of, ingredients and materials
The Spark Mid GTX uses a Gore-Tex laminated membrane bonded to synthetic textile uppers. Gore-Tex itself is a Teflon-type coating (polytetrafluoroethylene) film, which does not off-gas at normal wearing temperatures; however, the waterproofing water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the outer fabric is typically a fluorinated chemical (PFAS) or, less commonly, paraffin or silicone-based. Tecnica has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry is used on this model. The synthetic uppers themselves carry standard textile processing residues.
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 uppers may contain formaldehyde-based finishing resins used to stabilize dyes and set wrinkles. No specific test data is on record for this model; residual formaldehyde is not typically a concern in footwear worn on skin at distance, but individuals sensitive to formaldehyde may experience contact irritation with prolonged wear or if the shoe is damp.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in colored textiles
The synthetic upper fabric is dyed and may contain azo colorants, which are banned in certain forms but remain common in outdoor footwear. No brand restrictions have been published by Tecnica. Risk to wearer is low unless the dye migrates through sweat; risk is higher if shoe is worn by individuals with sensitive skin or in very hot, wet conditions.
Antimony in polyester textiles
Polyester components may contain antimony oxide as a catalyst residue from polymerization. Levels in finished textiles are typically trace; no documented antimony migration from footwear has been established, but it remains a possible residue in lower-cost synthetic uppers.
PFAS
Gore-Tex lined footwear almost always requires an outer water-repellent coating; Tecnica has not disclosed whether this uses C6 or C8 fluorinated compounds, fluorine-free alternatives, or other chemistry. Fluorinated water-repellent coating is established to persist in the environment and bioaccumulate. This is graded separately as a PFAS hazard but represents the largest chemical exposure risk in this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Adhesive and laminate off-gassing (VOC)
The Gore-Tex membrane is heat-laminated to the textile upper using thermosetting adhesives. New shoes may emit slight solvent odor for days to weeks. Volatilization is heaviest in the first 24-48 hours and is not acutely toxic, but sensitive individuals may experience headache or respiratory irritation. Airing the shoe outdoors minimizes this.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Tecnica is a subsidiary of Delfi Group and does not publish detailed chemical disclosure statements or restricted substances lists comparable to outdoor brands like Patagonia or Arc'teryx. The company has not made public commitments to phase PFAS or adopt alternatives. No independent recalls or controversies specific to this model have been documented. Limited transparency on waterproofing chemistry is typical across the mid-market hiking footwear segment, but represents a gap in accountability.
How it compares in its category
Mid-tier hiking trainers with Gore-Tex membranes are nearly always treated with fluorinated water-repellent coating; true PFAS-free waterproof alternatives in this performance class remain niche and are not standard. Competitors like Salomon, Merrell, and La Sportiva use similar construction. Premium brands (Scarpa, Danner) occasionally disclose water-repellent coating choice; budget and mid-market models rarely do. This shoe sits in the most common hazard profile for its category, which does not reduce individual product risk.
If you buy it
Wear in normal conditions; Gore-Tex membrane does not require special heat precautions during use. Wash in cool water and mild soap; avoid machine drying or direct heat above 60°C (140°F), which can degrade adhesive bonding and water-repellent coating. Replace when treads wear significantly (typically 300-500 miles) or membrane seams fail. Dispose through specialized shoe recycling or manufacturer take-back if available; standard landfill or incineration may release fluorochemicals. Air-dry completely to prevent mold growth in the membrane.
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
- Tecnica 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.