Cleveland Golf · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
FootJoy Men's WeatherSof Golf Gloves
Water-resistant leather gloves. water-repellent coating treatment PFAS risk unclear.
FootJoy golf gloves use treated leather for water resistance. Brand does not disclose PFAS or water-repellent coating chemistry, raising moderate concern for fluorinated water-repellents common in performance apparel.
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Material
Leather 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
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 WeatherSof gloves are constructed from leather (likely sheepskin or goat leather common in golf gloves) with a water-resistant topical treatment applied to the surface. The treatment chemistry is proprietary and not disclosed on public product labels or spec sheets. Leather itself is generally low-hazard for textiles, but the water-resistant (water-repellent coating) finish is where chemical concern arises: these treatments historically relied on PFAS compounds, though some manufacturers have shifted to non-fluorinated alternatives without clear labeling.
The brand's record and disclosure
FootJoy (owned by Acushnet Holdings) has not published a dedicated PFAS transparency statement or phase-out commitment visible in public records as of available information. Cleveland Golf, the parent brand context you provided, shows no established public position on PFAS in leather goods or apparel. Neither brand has faced documented major recalls or regulatory action specifically tied to hazardous textile treatments in golf gloves. The silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is the main disclosure gap.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves as a category are lower-hazard than many textiles because they contact skin intermittently and briefly, and are typically not washed frequently at high temperatures. Leather gloves inherently avoid synthetic fiber issues (azo dyes, antimony in polyester). However, water-resistant leather gloves sit in a middle tier: they avoid the worst hazards of synthetic activewear but carry the water-repellent coating chemistry uncertainty that untreated leather or synthetic alternatives with transparent non-PFAS finishes do not. Many competitors (e.g., Titleist, Ping) also do not disclose water-repellent coating treatment chemistry.
If you buy it
Wash gloves in cool water with mild soap; avoid hot water or machine washing, which can degrade the water-resistant coating and potentially mobilize residual finish chemicals. Air-dry only; do not use heat (dryers, direct sunlight for extended periods). Replace when the leather shows visible cracking, stiffness, or loss of grip, typically after 1-2 seasons of moderate use. Store in a dry location away from direct heat to preserve both leather integrity and coating stability.
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.”
PFAS in water-resistant (water-repellent coating) treatment
Leather water-repellent coating finishes may contain PFAS compounds depending on manufacturer formulation. FootJoy has not publicly disclosed whether this product uses PFAS-free alternatives. Risk is inhalation during application/manufacturing (primarily occupational) or potential skin contact with residual finish; consumer exposure is likely low given intermittent skin contact and no heating, but is not ruled out.
Formaldehyde in leather tanning/finishing resins
Leather manufacturing often involves formaldehyde-based resins in tanning and finishing processes. No specific test data is publicly available for FootJoy WeatherSof gloves. Formaldehyde off-gassing from finished leather is typically minimal compared to synthetic textiles, especially for outdoor sports gloves with minimal dyes.
Azo dyes and heavy metals in pigments
Leather gloves typically use aniline or vegetable-based dyes rather than problematic azo compounds. No recalls or testing data link FootJoy golf gloves to azo dye or heavy metal pigment contamination. This hazard class is lower concern for leather than for synthetic textiles.
Coating degradation and chemical mobilization over time
As the water-resistant treatment wears (normal with use and washing), residual chemicals in the coating may leach slightly into sweat or become airborne during handling. The rate and degree depend on treatment formulation and durability; no quantified data exists for this specific product, but the risk increases with age and use.
Allergens from leather processing or treatment additives
Individuals with sensitive skin or latex-adjacent allergies may react to residual tanning agents, dyes, or finish additives. FootJoy does not provide allergen or processing-chemical disclosure. Risk is low for most users but not negligible for those with documented leather sensitivity.
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.