Cleveland Golf · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
Maxfli Rain Golf Gloves
Water-repellent gloves; rain treatment likely contains PFAS, no transparency provided.
Maxfli Rain Golf Gloves use water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish typical in rain apparel. Cleveland Golf discloses nothing about PFAS content or safer alternatives used.
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Material
Synthetic leather/microfiber with water-repellent finish
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
Maxfli Rain gloves use synthetic microfiber leather with a water-repellent topcoat finish. Synthetic leather is polymer-based (typically polyurethane or polyester backing) and does not carry the heavy metal or tanning chemical risks of genuine leather. The water-repellent treatment is the primary concern: durable water repellency on athletic gloves is most commonly achieved with PFAS compounds (fluorochemicals), which bond to the fabric to create long-term water shedding. No independent test data is publicly available for this specific product's coating composition.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cleveland Golf (owned by Callaway Golf/Topgolf Callaway Brands) does not publicly disclose PFAS use or restrictions in glove products as of available records. The brand has not published water-repellent chemistry transparency, chemical certifications (like bluesign or GOTS), or PFAS phase-out commitments. No product-specific recalls or safety incidents involving this glove line have been reported. This silence is typical for sports equipment makers but falls short of emerging industry accountability standards.
How it compares in its category
Most rain golf gloves (including competitors like FootJoy, TaylorMade) use similar synthetic leather and PFAS-based water-repellent finishes without disclosure. A few brands (e.g., some premium European makers) now offer PFAS-free water treatments, but these are rare in mass-market golf apparel. Maxfli is positioned as a budget-friendly line; cost-driven production typically favors conventional PFAS chemistry. In its price tier, transparency gap is industry norm rather than exception.
If you buy it
Wear gloves as intended (hand contact only) with no risk of skin irritation from coating chemicals at normal use. Do not heat, wash in hot water, or dry-clean, as high temperature can degrade synthetic leather and potentially release volatile residues. Replace when grip or water repellency noticeably declines (typically 1-2 seasons of regular play). Rinse with cool water and air-dry to extend life and minimize any coating stress.
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-repellent finish
Rain-treatment finishes on athletic gloves are overwhelmingly PFAS-based; Cleveland Golf does not disclose or certify otherwise. PFAS persist in the environment and bioaccumulate, though direct skin absorption from a glove during use is minimal.
Formaldehyde in synthetic leather or adhesives
Some polyurethane synthetic leathers and fabric adhesives contain formaldehyde resins as binders or preservatives. No independent testing of this product is on record, and Cleveland Golf provides no chemical certifications.
Azo dyes or heavy metals in colorants
No specific reports of azo dyes or heavy metal pigments in Maxfli gloves. Synthetic leather dyes are typically modern, but disclosure would clarify risk; absence of certification leaves it unverified.
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
As the water-repellent topcoat wears with use, micro-particles of coating material may shed into the environment. Frequency and composition unknown; synthetic microfiber itself (polyester) does not generate concern for skin contact.
Antimony in polyester backing (if present)
Antimony is used as a catalyst in polyester production but is tightly bound in the polymer matrix. No reported antimony leaching from golf gloves; risk is theoretical and below typical textile exposure thresholds.
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.