Wilson · Golf Balls & Equipment
Wilson Men's Rain Gloves
Rain gloves use water-repellent coating. Wilson silent on PFAS composition.
Rain gloves typically receive water-repellent coating finish, often PFAS-based. Wilson provides no public disclosure of coating chemistry or PFAS.
The better-graded swap
Volvik
Volvik Marvel 2.0 Gift Set Golf Balls
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
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Material
synthetic fabric with water-repellent coating
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
Wilson does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Conventional water-repellent coating coatings often contain PFAS; newer fluorine-free alternatives exist but are not confirmed here. Risk level depends on unknown coating formulation and degree of skin contact during wear.
Source, ATSDR ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and nylon blends may contain formaldehyde-based resins used in wrinkle resistance or shrink control during manufacturing. Levels in finished gloves are typically low, but off-gassing during initial use is possible, especially with higher humidity and skin warmth.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in coloring
If gloves are dyed (e.g., black, navy), conventional azo dyes may be present. Some azo dyes can cleave into aromatic amines under sweat and friction, though risk is generally low for apparel with minimal dye-to-skin contact. No specific testing on Wilson gloves is available.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Water-repellent coatings can flake or shed microparticles with wear and washing. While not classified as microplastics per se, these coating fragments are inhaled or ingested in trace amounts. Long-term health impacts are not established, but minimizing shedding through gentle care is prudent.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester production may involve antimony trioxide as a catalyst. Trace antimony can remain in fibers, though documented health risk from wearing polyester apparel is not established. Direct skin contact via gloves is minimal exposure pathway.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Wilson rain gloves use synthetic fabric (likely polyester or nylon blend) treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed moisture. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) for water-shedding performance, though some manufacturers have transitioned to fluorine-free alternatives. The base synthetic fabric itself is stable, but the coating's chemical composition and durability are critical to understanding long-term leaching and wear patterns. Without material disclosure from Wilson, the specific water-repellent coating chemistry remains unknown.
The brand's record and disclosure
Wilson, a sporting goods company owned by Amer Sports, does not publicly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or confirm PFAS-free status on rain gloves or other water-resistant apparel. The brand has not achieved major third-party certifications for textile chemical safety (e.g., Bluesign, OEKO-TEX) that would signal stricter supply chain controls. No major safety recalls or public controversies specific to Wilson rain gloves have been documented, but the lack of transparency on PFAS composition reflects a broader industry pattern of silent reliance on conventional treatments.
How it compares in its category
Rain gloves occupy a niche within water-resistant apparel; most competitors in this space (e.g., Under Armour, adidas, generic brands) similarly decline PFAS disclosure. Higher-end outdoor brands (e.g., Patagonia, Arc'teryx) increasingly advertise PFAS-free water-repellent coating or third-party textile certifications, making them more transparent alternatives. Wilson's positioning is middle-market with conventional water-repellent coating treatment, neither better nor worse than typical sports-brand rain gloves but less transparent than premium competitors.
If you buy it
Wash gloves separately before first use to reduce surface residue and shed excess coating material. Avoid high-heat drying (air dry preferred) as heat can accelerate coating degradation and potential leaching of coating components. Replace gloves when water begins to bead unevenly or soak into fabric, signaling water-repellent coating breakdown (typically 1-2 seasons of regular use). Store dry to prevent mold and bacterial growth in synthetic fibers; mold can produce allergens and odors independent of coating chemistry.
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.
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PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
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Bridgestone
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Bridgestone
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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.