Wilson · Golf Balls & Equipment
Wilson Men's Winter Golf Gloves
Winter gloves likely water-treated. Wilson provides no PFAS disclosure.
Golf gloves typically use synthetic leather or polyurethane with water-repellent coating coatings that may contain PFAS. Wilson does not publicly disclose PFAS content or testing, and no certifications exist.
The better-graded swap
Volvik
Volvik Marvel Gift Set 2.0 Distance Golf Balls
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 / polyurethane with water-resistant treatment
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 require durable water resistance; Wilson does not disclose whether their water-repellent coating uses PFAS or alternatives. Synthetic leather gloves in this price/performance tier typically employ C8 or newer fluorinated compounds applied during manufacturing. Skin contact during wear poses low acute risk but cumulative exposure is unquantified.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyurethane coating degradation
Synthetic leather coatings degrade over time with heat, sweat, and flexing. As polyurethane breaks down, small particles and residual coating chemicals may shed onto skin or be inhaled during wear. This is a slow process in gloves but accelerates with poor care (heat exposure, machine washing).
Allergens from synthetic materials or adhesives
Polyurethane glues and polyurethane leather itself can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, though this is uncommon. Fragrance or antimicrobial additives in the knit lining are not confirmed in Wilson's specs but may be present; no documented cases for this brand.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or industry reports specific to Wilson golf gloves for formaldehyde resin finishes on knit backing. Standard athletic glove production does not typically use high-formaldehyde resins, though imported knit linings may carry trace residues. No evidence of concern for this product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Wilson gloves are typically black or neutral synthetic leather with minimal dyed fabric. No known reports of restricted azo dyes or heavy metal pigments in Wilson winter glove lines. Standard polyurethane colorants in this category are low-risk.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These gloves use synthetic leather (polyurethane) rather than genuine leather, bonded to a knit backing. The water-resistant treatment applied to the surface is Wilson's primary chemical concern, synthetic leather coatings commonly use fluorinated compounds (PFAS) to repel moisture, though Wilson does not specify which chemistry they employ. Polyurethane itself is generally stable and does not off-gas formaldehyde or volatile organics at room temperature in finished gloves, making the coating chemistry the main exposure route.
The brand's record and disclosure
Wilson does not publish material safety data, chemical disclosures, or PFAS commitments for apparel products. The company has no known certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign) that would verify absence of restricted substances in their glove lines. This silence on water-resistant chemistry is typical of sporting goods brands but leaves consumers unable to confirm whether the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment uses legacy PFAS, newer alternatives, or non-fluorinated methods.
How it compares in its category
Winter gloves across brands typically use either wool/natural fibers (which require minimal chemical treatment), or synthetic leather with water-repellent coating coatings. Wilson's approach is mainstream for performance golf gloves and carries similar undisclosed water-repellent chemistry as most competitors (Callaway, Titleist). Brands offering transparent PFAS-free or certified gloves (e.g., some Patagonia or wool-based alternatives) are fewer and often more expensive, making Wilson's position middle-of-the-road for the category.
If you buy it
Wash gloves by hand in cool water; avoid hot water or machine washing, which can degrade the polyurethane coating and potentially increase leaching of residual coating chemicals. Do not expose to direct heat sources (radiators, dryers). Replace gloves when the synthetic leather surface cracks, peels, or delaminates, as damaged coating integrity may release particles. Store in a cool, dry place to extend coating life and minimize chemical off-gassing.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% 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.