Wilson · Golf Balls & Equipment
WILSON GOLF Winter Adult GOLF Gloves
Winter golf gloves likely use water-repellent coating. PFAS status unclear from Wilson.
Wilson winter golf gloves use synthetic leather or polyurethane with thermal lining, likely treated with water-repellent coating finish. Wilson discloses nothing about PFAS.
The better-graded swap
FootJoy
FootJoy StaSof Golf Glove
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 or polyurethane with thermal lining, likely water-repellent coating-treated
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
Winter golf gloves almost certainly use water-repellent coating treatment for water repellency. Wilson has not disclosed whether this uses fluorinated (PFAS) or non-fluorinated chemistry. Skin contact during wear is moderate; hand perspiration may slightly accelerate any leaching, but gloves are not worn against bare skin for extended periods.
Source, ATSDR ↗Thermal lining degradation and fibrillation
Fleece or synthetic lining can shed microfibers with repeated washing and wear, particularly if heat-dried. This is a normal wear pattern for insulated gloves and is not specific to Wilson, but hand contact with worn lining is a minor ingestion route for microplastics.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Synthetic leather and polyurethane coatings may contain formaldehyde-based binders as part of the manufacturing process, but Wilson products are not documented to exceed formaldehyde limits set by US apparel standards. No specific test data on these gloves exists in public records.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in colored materials
Winter golf gloves are typically dark colors (black, navy, grey) and do not require bright or complex dyes. Most dark synthetic leather and polyurethane is colored with non-azo or low-risk pigments, though Wilson does not publicly confirm this.
Heavy metals
Wilson winter golf gloves are not documented to contain lead, cadmium, or antimony in amounts that exceed apparel safety limits. No recalls or test failures on record for this product line.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Wilson winter golf gloves combine synthetic leather or polyurethane with thermal lining (likely fleece or synthetic insulation) and a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) topcoat. The synthetic leather avoids the tanning chemicals and heavy metals sometimes present in genuine leather, while polyurethane itself is relatively inert once cured. The thermal lining is typically non-toxic; the main concern is the water-repellent coating finish, which may contain fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to achieve water resistance, though Wilson does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry.
The brand's record and disclosure
Wilson (Amer Sports) has not made public commitments to phase out PFAS in textiles and has not published material safety data sheets for apparel products. The brand has no documented recalls or safety controversies specific to golf gloves. Wilson does not hold third-party certifications such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign for apparel, which limits independent verification of chemical inputs.
How it compares in its category
Winter golf gloves are inherently low-risk apparel because contact is brief, they are worn over hands (not against skin for extended periods), and they are not ingested or heated in ways that would accelerate leaching. Most competitors (Callaway, Titleist, FootJoy) use similar polyurethane-plus-water-repellent coating construction and similarly lack transparent PFAS disclosure. Some premium alternatives (e.g., merino wool blends with PFC-free water repellency) exist but are rarer and more expensive.
If you buy it
Wash gloves separately in cool water and air-dry to preserve the water-repellent coating finish and avoid accelerating any potential leaching from coatings. Do not machine dry or expose to high heat, which can damage the polyurethane and lining. Replace when the grip becomes worn or lining degrades (typically after 1-2 seasons of regular use). Store in a dry place to prevent mold growth in the thermal lining, which can harbor bacteria if left damp.
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
- Wilson has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Golf Balls & Equipment
Vice Golf
Vice Drip Golf Balls
synthetic polymer core with urethane/elastomer cover
PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
Men's Pair Golf Gloves
Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Chromium in leather tanning residue
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
Lady Golf Glove
Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic leather
Limited concern
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.