Cleveland Golf · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
FootJoy Golf RainGrip Gloves
Golf glove with water-repellent coating; PFAS status undisclosed by brand.
FootJoy RainGrip gloves use water-repellent treatment typical in golf apparel, but the brand does not disclose PFAS use or absence. water-repellent coating coatings often contain PFAS; verification needed before purchase.
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Material
Synthetic leather or microfiber with water-repellent coating
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
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
FootJoy RainGrip gloves use synthetic microfiber or synthetic leather with a water-repellent (water-repellent coating) coating to shed moisture during play. The water-repellent coating finish is the primary chemical concern, as most water-repellent coatings historically relied on PFAS compounds, though formulation details are not publicly disclosed by Cleveland Golf. Synthetic microfiber itself is low-toxicity polyester or nylon, but the coating's composition determines whether skin contact poses any chemical transfer risk during wear.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cleveland Golf (parent company Acushnet Holdings) has not publicly disclosed PFAS content, water-repellent chemistry, or sustainability certifications for this product line. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for FootJoy gloves specifically. The brand does not appear to have made statements about phasing out PFAS in apparel, leaving the water-repellent coating formulation a black box for consumers.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves typically feature water-repellent coating coatings as a category norm; most competing brands (Titleist, Callaway, Ping) maintain the same silence on PFAS status. Unlike heavily treated synthetic garments (flame-retardant textiles, military gear), golf gloves do not require fire-resistance chemicals. RainGrip sits mid-market; premium alternatives do not consistently disclose hazard data either, making differentiation difficult on safety grounds alone.
If you buy it
Wear gloves as intended (dry hands first, normal grip use); there is no evidence of dermal absorption risk during typical play. Wash by hand in cool water with mild detergent; avoid chlorine bleach and hot water, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially release coating particles. Replace when grip deteriorates or coating flakes visibly. Store dry in a breathable bag; do not expose to prolonged heat (car dashboards, direct sun) as synthetic materials may soften.
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.”
Water-repellent (water-repellent coating) coating composition
Standard golf glove water-repellent coating treatments may contain PFAS or fluorocarbon compounds; Cleveland Golf does not disclose whether their formulation is PFAS-free, leaving a potential exposure pathway during hand contact, though risk is likely minimal during normal use.
Azo dyes in synthetic materials
No specific incidents or disclosures of harmful azo dyes in FootJoy gloves are on record. Synthetic microfiber and polyester textiles can carry banned azo dyes in low-cost products; this brand's tier and market positioning suggest standard dyeing practices, but no third-party testing data is publicly available.
Coating degradation and particle shedding
Repeated washing, heat, or friction can cause the water-repellent coating to flake or shed microscopic particles. Golf gloves see significant hand abrasion; degraded coating debris has not been studied for inhalation or ingestion risk in this context, but is a wear-and-tear concern rather than a manufacturing hazard.
Formaldehyde resins in synthetic leather
Microfiber synthetic leather sometimes uses formaldehyde-based adhesives or finishes. No recalls or complaints specific to FootJoy RainGrip gloves mention off-gassing or formaldehyde release; standard manufacturing controls in this price range typically keep levels low.
Antimony in polyester
Polyester textiles may contain antimony trioxide as a catalyst residue. Golf gloves are a minor exposure route (hand contact only, not ingestion or inhalation); no specific data on antimony content in FootJoy products is publicly available, and dermal uptake from glove wear is negligible.
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 Gloves
Bridgestone
Men's Pair Golf Gloves
Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgestone
Soft Grip Golf Glove
Leather, synthetic grip material, textiles
Lower concern. Golf glove without known waterproofing or Teflon-family coating treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgestone
Lady Golf Glove
Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
⚠Risky category by default
More golf balls & golf gloves 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.