Under Armour · Running & Athletic Shoes
Under Armour Men's Expanse Low Waterproof Shoes
Skip until Under Armour discloses waterproof coating composition
Under Armour does not publicly disclose the waterproof treatment used on these shoes. Waterproof coatings on footwear commonly contain PFAS, and the brand's silence raises concern.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic upper with unspecified waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Under Armour Men's Waterproof Shoes is made of, ingredients and materials
The shoe uses a synthetic upper (likely polyester or nylon) with an unspecified waterproof coating applied to the surface. Waterproof treatments on footwear are typically fluorochemical-based to repel water, which raises concern because most such coatings historically contain PFAS or PFAS-like compounds. Without disclosure of the coating formulation, the actual chemical exposure cannot be assessed. The synthetic upper itself poses lower concern for heavy metals or harmful dyes if manufactured to standard industry practice, but the coating is the critical unknown.
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.
Antimony in polyester
If the upper contains polyester (common in synthetic athletic shoes), it may contain antimony as a polymerization catalyst. Levels are typically low and migration risk during normal wear is minimal, but this depends on manufacturing standards that Under Armour does not publicly disclose.
Microplastics
The waterproof coating will wear and shed over time, especially under friction and UV exposure. Shedding microplastics from degraded coating is not formally quantified for this shoe, but is a known concern for all treated synthetic textiles.
Source, EPA ↗PFAS
The unspecified waterproof treatment is highly likely to contain PFAS or legacy fluorochemicals based on industry practice, though direct skin contact migration risk during dry wear is lower than with water or sweat-saturated conditions. See separate PFAS assessment.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester or nylon uppers may contain trace formaldehyde-based finishing resins, but established athletic footwear manufacturing typically limits these to low levels. No recalls or complaints specific to this shoe model have been reported.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in synthetic fibers
Synthetic uppers may use azo dye colorants; however, EU and US footwear manufacturers have largely phased out the most hazardous azo compounds. No public safety concern is documented for this product or brand.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Under Armour has not publicly disclosed the waterproof coating chemistry for this or comparable shoe lines, and no formal PFAS phase-out commitment or third-party certification (such as OEKO-TEX or Bluesign) is on record for this product. The brand's silence on waterproof treatment composition is typical of the athletic footwear industry but reflects a lack of transparency where regulation of PFAS in consumer products remains fragmented. No major safety recalls or toxicity findings specific to this model have been published.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream waterproof hiking and casual shoes rely on undisclosed fluorochemical coatings similar to this product. A smaller number of brands (e.g., Salomon, Keen) have begun disclosing PFAS-free waterproof alternatives, though these remain less common and may offer different durability profiles. Under Armour's approach is industry-standard but not a safety advantage. Buyers prioritizing PFAS avoidance will find this shoe offers no verifiable assurance.
If you buy it
Do not machine wash or dry-clean, as heat and solvents can accelerate coating degradation and increase leaching potential. Spot clean with cool water and mild soap. Do not store in direct sunlight or high heat, as UV and temperature cycling degrade waterproof coatings over time. Replace the shoe if the waterproof coating visibly peels, cracks, or loses water repellency, as a compromised coating may expose the underlying synthetic fabric and increase any residual PFAS leaching risk during use.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Under Armour has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Under Armour Men's Expanse Low Waterproof Shoes?
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Find an alternative on Amazon
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4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
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- Azo dyes and color-based toxins
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore running & athletic shoes 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.