Callaway · Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
Callaway Golf Gloves 3-Pack Premium Cabretta Leather
Lower concern; premium leather gloves without water-repellent coating treatment signals.
Cabretta leather is inherently PFAS-free material. No waterproofing, stain resistance, or coating claims detected. Brand discloses no PFAS position.
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Cabretta leather, likely tannin-tanned
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
other 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
Cabretta leather is a soft, fine-grain goatskin prized for golf gloves because it offers grip and breathability without thick synthetic coatings. Tannin-tanned leather (the likely process here) uses plant-derived tannins rather than chromium salts, which is the safer traditional route. The glove's structure, simple leather with minimal adhesives or dyes, means fewer synthetic chemicals are embedded in the product you touch.
The brand's record and disclosure
Callaway is a major golf equipment manufacturer with no public chemical disclosure program or certifications (e.g., Bluesign, GOTS) on record for gloves. The brand has not announced sourcing standards, leather supplier audits, or restricted substance lists specific to apparel. No significant product safety recalls or chemical contamination incidents are established for Callaway golf gloves in publicly available databases.
How it compares in its category
Cabretta leather gloves sit at the premium end of golf glove materials; synthetic alternatives (microfiber, polyurethane) often carry higher phthalate and VOC risks. Natural leather avoids the microplastic shedding risk of synthetic polymers. However, without transparent tannery certification or dye restrictions, Callaway gloves offer no formal assurance against heavy-metal dyes or formaldehyde resins common in lower-tier leather goods.
If you buy it
Store gloves in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent leather degradation and any potential leaching of residual tanning chemicals. Wash hands after use if you have sensitive skin, as some tanning residues or dyes may transfer slightly during break-in. Replace gloves when the grip surface wears or cracks; intact leather is your best barrier. No special cleaning is needed beyond occasional hand-washing with the glove.
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.”
Heavy metals in leather tanning and dyes
Tannin-tanned leather is lower-risk than chrome tanning, but leather dyes and finishing treatments can contain lead or cadmium. No test data or certifications are on record for these specific gloves; cabretta sourcing and tannery practices are not disclosed by Callaway.
Formaldehyde in leather finishing resins
Leather finishing may involve formaldehyde-based resins for water resistance or durability. The absence of a visible water-repellent coating (durable water-resistant) finish on premium cabretta gloves suggests lower formaldehyde use, but Callaway does not publish finish specifications.
Azo dyes and colorant allergens
Cabretta leather is typically dyed during tanning. Azo dyes banned in many textiles are still legal in leather in many regions. Hand contact with the glove during use and break-in may expose sensitive individuals to dye residues; no restricted dye list is published by Callaway.
Adhesive off-gassing from palm padding or stitching
Cabretta gloves use minimal adhesives compared to synthetic alternatives. No established off-gassing complaints or VOC data are on record for Callaway golf gloves; leather itself does not off-gas volatile organic compounds significantly.
Skin sensitization from leather residues or sizing agents
New leather gloves may contain sizing agents, salt, or tanning residue that irritate sensitive skin during the first few wears. This is not specific to Callaway but common to all leather gloves; hand-washing before first use can reduce risk.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 75% 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 golf balls & golf 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.