Cleveland Golf · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
FootJoy Women's RainGrip Golf Gloves
Golf glove with water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unclear, no disclosure.
RainGrip gloves use water-repellent coating treatment for water resistance, a common PFAS-risk category. FootJoy/Cleveland Golf makes no PFAS claims or disclosures about this product.
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Material
synthetic leather/polyurethane with water-repellent coating water-repellent 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 RainGrip uses polyurethane-based synthetic leather, a petroleum-derived plastic that mimics leather performance without animal hide. The glove includes a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the surface, typically a fluorochemical or silicone-based coating designed to shed water without compromising breathability. Polyurethane itself is stable when intact, but the water-repellent coating treatment is where PFAS-class compounds often hide, though specific chemistry for this glove is not publicly disclosed by Cleveland Golf.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cleveland Golf (parent: Srixon/Dunlop Sports) has not publicly committed to PFAS elimination or transparency in gear materials, nor released material safety data sheets for this specific product. The brand does not appear on major PFAS disclosure initiatives or certifications like Greenguard or bluesign. No established recalls or controversies specific to FootJoy gloves are on record, but silence on chemical composition is itself a yellow flag for products with water-repellent coatings.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves in this price tier typically use either genuine leather (natural but less durable in wet conditions) or polyurethane synthetics with water-repellent coating finishes. FootJoy's synthetic approach is standard for all-weather performance gloves; competitors like Titleist and Callaway use similar constructions. The lack of transparency from all major brands makes direct safety comparison difficult, this glove is neither better nor worse disclosed than peers, but the category as a whole carries unresolved PFAS questions.
If you buy it
Wash the glove by hand in cool water after use to minimize accumulation of sweat and salt, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and polyurethane backing over time. Avoid heat drying or direct sunlight; air dry flat. Replace when the synthetic leather begins to peel, crack, or feel tacky, signs the polyurethane is breaking down. If concerned about PFAS exposure, contact Cleveland Golf directly requesting material composition data; their silence suggests they have not tested for or eliminated PFAS, so a glove from a brand with explicit PFAS-free claims may offer more confidence.
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 coating fluorochemical treatment (potential PFAS exposure)
Water-repellent coatings on textiles frequently contain PFAS compounds, though some brands now use PFAS-free alternatives. Cleveland Golf has not disclosed whether this glove uses traditional fluorochemicals or safer substitutes; risk is plausible but unconfirmed.
Polyurethane degradation and microplastic shedding
Synthetic leather polyurethane can flake, crack, or shed particles over months to years of use, especially in wet conditions or with abrasion. This is a wear-and-tear hazard rather than acute toxicity, but prolonged use of degraded gloves may increase inhalation or skin contact with synthetic debris.
Formaldehyde or azo dyes in synthetic leather production
Polyurethane-based synthetic leather can be manufactured with formaldehyde resins or reactive dyes, but no specific recalls or warnings for FootJoy gloves on this basis exist in public records. Standard textile industry controls typically limit these exposures in finished consumer goods.
Skin irritation from coating or accelerators in polyurethane
Residual solvents, accelerators, or uncrosslinked polymer chains in the polyurethane backing can occasionally trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. This is a minority concern, and most users report no issues, but hand-washing before first use may help.
Heavy metals in dyes or pigments
No documented issue with FootJoy gloves or synthetic leather golf gloves in general regarding lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in colorants. Industry standards for apparel limit these, and there is no evidence of violation here.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 55% 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.