The North Face · Waterproof Boots
The North Face Men's Hedgehog GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes
Elevated concern from GORE-TEX. Skip if PFAS-free footwear matters.
The North Face doesn't disclose PFAS for this shoe. GORE-TEX membranes are historically known to contain Teflon-type coating and associated PFAS compounds, though the brand hasn't confirmed specifics. No certifications are publicly available.
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Material
GORE-TEX membrane (polytetrafluoroethylene-based) with textile upper
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
PFAS
GORE-TEX is inherently PFAS-based; while Teflon-type coating itself is chemically inert in normal wear, production and disposal pathways involve fluorinated chemistry linked to PFOS/PFOA precursors. Skin contact during normal use poses minimal acute risk, but environmental persistence and bioaccumulation are documented concerns.
Source: ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in textile upper
Standard synthetic textile uppers (nylon/polyester blends) in hiking footwear may contain azo dyes; while The North Face holds some bluesign affiliation limiting certain azo compounds, no product-specific restricted substance list is publicly available. Risk is low during wear but elevated during manufacture for workers and in disposal.
Antimony in polyester components
If the textile upper uses polyester (common in North Face footwear), antimony trioxide catalysts may be present at low residual levels. No recalls or reported contamination in Hedgehog models; risk during normal use is negligible but relevant to long-term environmental burden.
Adhesive/solvent residues in lamination
GORE-TEX membrane bonding to textile involves industrial adhesives that may off-gas volatile organic compounds during the first weeks of use or in high-heat conditions. This is typically mild but noticeable in enclosed spaces; airing the boots outdoors reduces exposure.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
The North Face does not appear to use formaldehyde-based water repellents on this line, having largely adopted fluorocarbon alternatives; no product-specific testing or recalls suggest residual formaldehyde contamination.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Hedgehog uses GORE-TEX membrane bonded to a textile upper (typically nylon or polyester blend) with rubber sole. GORE-TEX is a microporous Teflon-type coating-based film that provides water resistance without breathable-coating alternatives like polyurethane or polyether polyols. Teflon-type coating itself does not off-gas under normal hiking conditions, but the manufacturing and disposal pathway of GORE-TEX products involves PFAS chemistry. The textile upper avoids synthetic rubber sole volatilization issues, making the primary chemical concern PFAS-linked rather than VOC-based.
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not published formal PFAS phase-out commitments or supplier transparency reports specific to GORE-TEX products as of available public records. The brand does hold some sustainability certifications (bluesign, limited Cradle-to-Cradle) but these do not explicitly exclude PFAS in waterproof membranes. Parent company VF Corporation has made incremental sustainability pledges but lacks detailed PFAS-specific disclosure for footwear lines. Industry-wide, The North Face lags behind competitors like Patagonia in transparency around water-repellent chemistry.
How it compares in its category
GORE-TEX remains the market benchmark for waterproof-breathable hiking boots, but alternatives exist: polyurethane-based membranes (lower PFAS footprint but less durability), eVent fabric (similar PFAS profile to GORE-TEX), and purely mechanical waterproofing (heavier, less breathable). The Hedgehog's construction quality and durability are typical of North Face mid-range offerings. If PFAS avoidance is the priority, fully synthetic rubber or fabric-only boots from brands like Salomon or Lowa offer PFAS-free designs, though with trade-offs in breathability or weight.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged heat exposure above 65°C (150°F) when washing; hand-wash or use a gentle machine cycle with cool water. Apply PFAS-based water-repellent treatments sparingly and only when the factory finish visibly degrades (typically 2-3 years of heavy use); this minimizes secondary PFAS accumulation. Inspect the GORE-TEX lamination seam annually for peeling; delamination does not release PFAS but signals replacement need. Store in a dry environment to prevent microbial growth in the membrane pores.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- The North Face 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.