Callaway · Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
Callaway Men's X-Tech Golf Glove
Golf glove likely uses water-repellent coating treatment; PFAS risk moderate but unconfirmed.
Callaway X-Tech glove is marketed for moisture control and grip. Water-resistant golf gloves typically use water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings, which often contain PFAS, but Callaway makes no public disclosure about this glove's treatment or PFAS status.
The safe swap
Mizuno
Mizuno Comp Glove
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic leather, microfiber, moisture-wicking fabric with water-resistant treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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
The Callaway X-Tech uses synthetic leather (likely polyurethane or PVC) bonded to microfiber backing with a water-resistant topcoat treatment. Synthetic leather avoids heavy-metal tanning chemicals found in chromium-tanned leather but relies on chemical binders and coatings for durability and water resistance. The moisture-wicking fabric layer typically uses polyester or nylon with finish treatments applied to repel sweat and rain; these finishes often include fluorinated compounds (PFAS class) or silicone-based alternatives, though Callaway's exact chemistry is not publicly disclosed.
The brand's record and disclosure
Callaway does not publicly disclose material safety certifications, PFAS presence, or formaldehyde/dye testing for apparel products on their website or product labels. No major safety recalls for this glove model are on record with CPSC. The brand has not adopted transparent chemical disclosure standards like Bluesign or OEKO-TEX certification common in premium activewear, suggesting either no third-party testing or no commitment to public reporting.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves in this price tier typically use synthetic leather with water-resistant coatings; Callaway's construction is standard for the market. Premium alternatives (e.g., Footjoy, TaylorMade) rarely disclose PFAS or other finish chemistry either, making this product neither exceptionally risky nor distinctly safer than competitors. The X-Tech line is positioned as mid-to-premium with emphasis on moisture management, which usually means aggressive chemical treatments but no published hazard data.
If you buy it
Wash the glove in cool water with mild detergent after heavy use or at season end; avoid chlorine bleach and high heat dryers, which can degrade synthetic leather and release coating residues. Do not treat the glove with additional waterproofing sprays unless they explicitly state PFAS-free formulation. Store in a cool, dry place; replace when the synthetic leather shows cracking, peeling, or loss of grip, typically after 1-2 seasons of regular play. If skin irritation develops, discontinue use and rinse the glove thoroughly.
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.”
Fluorinated water-resistant finish (PFAS proxy)
Callaway does not disclose whether the water-resistant treatment uses perfluorinated compounds (PFOA/PFOS class) or PFAS alternatives. Skin contact over prolonged use may result in trace absorption, though risk is low for a sports glove versus food packaging or fabric worn directly against skin for hours daily.
Synthetic leather binder chemicals and plasticizers
Polyurethane or PVC synthetic leather can release trace phthalates or other plasticizers during manufacturing and early use. No specific recalls or complaints are documented for this product; risk is typical for synthetic athletic gloves.
Dye or finish formaldehyde releasers
Microfiber backing and color treatments may use formaldehyde-releasing resins as crosslinkers. No OEKO-TEX or similar certification available for this product, so direct verification is not possible; standard practice in budget-to-mid athletic apparel.
Coating degradation under heat or sweat
Repeated washing, sweat exposure, and UV during outdoor play may cause the water-resistant coating to break down, potentially releasing coating fragments or changing the product's safety profile over time. This is accelerated wear, not acute toxicity, but signals eventual replacement need.
Allergic contact dermatitis from finish or dyes
Sensitive skin may react to uncertified dyes, adhesives, or finish chemicals in the microfiber or synthetic leather. No published sensitizer testing specific to this glove; risk is individual and low to moderate compared to dyed textiles worn against large skin areas.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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.
Safer alternatives in Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
Mizuno
Comp Glove
Leather/synthetic leather athletic glove
No known PFAS risk, but Mizuno discloses nothing about treatments.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Mizuno
Cabretta Leather Golf Glove
Cabretta leather, likely with standard leather tanning and finishing
Lower concern. Leather glove lacks water treatment trigger.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Callaway
Men's Chev Soft Golf Glove
leather and synthetic materials
Golf glove with lower PFAS concern; no known high-risk coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.