Brooks · Athletic Insoles & Orthotics
Brooks Glycerin Gts 22 Hoka Insoles Mens 8.5 Extra Wide 4e
Lower concern product; typical foam insole without known PFAS triggers.
Brooks Glycerin insoles use standard foam and textile materials without water-resistant or stain-guard treatments. No public PFAS disclosure from Brooks on this product line, but no high-risk indicators present.
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Material
Foam cushioning, textile mesh upper, thermoplastic heel counter
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 insoles use polyurethane or EVA foam cushioning, a thermoplastic heel counter, and a textile mesh upper. These materials are industry standard for athletic insoles and pose minimal acute chemical risk under normal use. Foam cushioning does not typically leach harmful substances into skin unless degraded or exposed to prolonged heat above 60°C, which foot use rarely exceeds.
The brand's record and disclosure
Brooks does not publicly disclose PFAS content in footwear or insoles, nor do they appear to have faced major recalls or safety controversies tied to chemical hazards in this product line. The company has not sought external chemical certifications (OEKO-TEX, bluesign) for insoles, limiting transparency but also suggesting standard manufacturing without known regulatory flags.
How it compares in its category
Athletic insoles across brands (New Balance, ASICS, Superfeet) typically use similar foam and textile blends without differential hazard profiles. Brooks Glycerin insoles are midrange in terms of chemical disclosure; premium brands offer third-party testing, while budget alternatives offer no transparency. This product sits in the typical risk band for casual or athletic footwear insoles.
If you buy it
Keep insoles dry and avoid prolonged heat exposure above 65°C (e.g., do not leave in direct sun or tumble dry). Replace annually or when foam compression becomes visible, as degraded foam may shed particles. Store in a cool, dry location; moisture can degrade adhesives and foam integrity. No special cleaning needed beyond gentle hand wash with mild soap if soiled.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Foam degradation and microparticle shedding
Polyurethane and EVA foams degrade over time and with heat or UV exposure, potentially releasing small particles. In athletic use, this is common and not acutely hazardous, but replacement every 12 months is prudent to minimize chronic exposure.
Formaldehyde in textile adhesives or dyes
No specific reports of formaldehyde-release issues in Brooks insole textiles. Standard athletic footwear textiles are not a major formaldehyde source, but no third-party testing of this product is publicly available.
Azo dyes in mesh upper
No established recalls or safety alerts for azo dyes in Brooks Glycerin insoles. Textile mesh is typically low-dye, and foot contact does not typically trigger leaching even if restricted azo dyes are present.
Thermoplastic heel counter leachables
Thermoplastic materials (TPE, TPU) in heel counters do not have a known hazard profile for skin contact under normal wear. No recalls or chemical safety issues reported for this component in Brooks footwear.
Moisture retention and mold growth
Foam insoles retain sweat and moisture, creating risk for mold or bacterial growth if not dried regularly. This is a hygiene issue rather than chemical hazard, but can be mitigated by air-drying insoles after use and replacing when odor or visible discoloration appears.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More athletic insoles & orthotics 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.