PFAS40/ 100Poor
Overall28/ 100Poor
Shoe Gear Water Repellent Aerosol Spray

· Fabric Stain Guard Sprays

Shoe Gear Water Repellent Aerosol Spray

Poor

Wait for brand to disclose waterproofing chemistry or verification.

Verdict · SkipUnknown waterproofing chemistry, silent PFAS stance, and lack of ingredient transparency make risk assessment impossible without brand disclosure.

Water-repellent aerosol sprays often use PFAS-based Teflon-family coating for durability. This brand won't share PFAS status, ingredients, or test results.

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

unknown waterproofing polymer spray coating

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

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Avocado Vegan Mattress

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100ExcellentPFAS grade
✓ MADE SAFE Certified✓ Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
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  • Heavy metals

2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

What Shoe Gear Water Repellent Aerosol Spray is made of, ingredients and materials

Shoe Gear Water Repellent Aerosol Spray's exact polymer formulation is not publicly disclosed, making it impossible to verify whether it contains PFAS or other hazardous water-repellent compounds. Most aerosol waterproofing sprays for textiles/footwear rely on fluorocarbon or hydrocarbon polymer coatings; the fluorocarbon variants carry high PFAS risk. Without ingredient labeling or technical documentation, you cannot distinguish between hydrocarbon alternatives and fluorinated polymers.

What’s concerning

♾️

Category baseline

The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.

90/ 100
♾️

Vague safety claims only

Uses vague language ("eco-friendly", "clean") without a specific PFAS statement.

85/ 100
♾️

Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment

Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.

65/ 100
⚠️

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) / respiratory irritants in aerosol formulation

Aerosol waterproofing sprays typically contain propellants and solvent carriers (often hydrofluoroalkanes or volatile hydrocarbons) that can irritate airways, especially in enclosed spaces or during prolonged application. Specific solvent identity is not disclosed for this product.

70/ 100
💨

Inhalation exposure to polymer micro-particles

Aerosol spray delivery generates fine mist particles of the waterproofing polymer coating. If the polymer is fluorocarbon-based, inhalation poses known respiratory risk; if silicone or hydrocarbon-based, risk is lower but still present during and immediately after application.

70/ 100
🍳

Accumulation of waterproofing coating on fabric over repeated applications

With each reapplication, polymer layers build up on shoe material. This can reduce breathability, trap moisture, and create a stiff, uncomfortable fit. Buildup also increases the total amount of coating-bound chemicals in contact with skin.

70/ 100

What’s reassuring

💨

Formaldehyde / VOCs

No evidence that this product contains formaldehyde-releasing resins, but textile finishing sprays sometimes do; absence of ingredient disclosure means this cannot be ruled out entirely.

Source, ATSDR ↗
95/ 100
✅

Dermal contact sensitization from fragrance or additives

No ingredient label is available to assess fragrance or chemical additives that might cause allergic contact dermatitis; product formulation remains opaque.

95/ 100

How is this PFAS grade calculated?

The brand's record and disclosure

The brand has maintained silence on the chemical composition of this product and has not published any third-party certifications (OEKO-TEX, bluesign, or PFAS-free claims). No public recalls or safety controversies are on record, but absence of disclosure is itself a red flag in a product category where PFAS contamination is industry-standard. The brand's lack of transparency prevents confirmation of whether conventional fluorocarbon chemistry is used.

How it compares in its category

Most aerosol waterproofing sprays fall into two camps, older fluorocarbon-based products (high PFAS risk) and newer hydrocarbon or silicone-based alternatives (lower hazard profile). Without disclosure, Shoe Gear cannot be positioned on this spectrum. Brands like Nikwax and ReviveX publicly disclose solvent chemistry and offer PFAS-free options; The brand's silence places it at a competitive disadvantage and signals potential use of legacy formulations.

If you buy it

Apply only in well-ventilated outdoor spaces or with respiratory protection, as aerosol inhalation of fluorocarbon polymers may pose respiratory irritation risk. Allow treated footwear to cure fully (typically 24 hours) before wearing. Do not spray near food, water sources, or living areas. Reapply annually or after heavy wear; discontinue use immediately if you develop coughing, wheezing, or respiratory symptoms and seek medical advice.

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
has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Shoe Gear Water Repellent Aerosol Spray?

Nikwax Waterproofing Wax for Leather

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65GoodPFAS grade
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  • The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
  • Respiratory irritation or fume inhalation during application

2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Find an alternative on Amazon
  • mink oil paste, natural oil-based conditioner
  • We found no PFAS statement from the brand
  • Microbial growth (natural oil rancidity)

2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Find an alternative on Amazon
Timberland Waximum Waxed Leather Protector

Timberland

Waximum Waxed Leather Protector

65GoodPFAS grade
  • Wax-based leather protector
  • We found no PFAS statement from the brand
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from solvents

3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.

Find an alternative on Amazon

More fabric stain guard sprays 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.