Cleveland Golf · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
TaylorMade Golf Rain Control Gloves
Rain gloves likely use water-repellent coating; treatment chemicals not disclosed.
Golf rain gloves typically require water-repellent finishes, often PFAS-based. Brand provides no PFAS transparency or testing data. Treatment composition unknown.
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Material
Synthetic leather or polyurethane with 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
TaylorMade Rain Control Gloves are synthetic leather (likely polyurethane or PU) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment applied to the surface. The water-repellent coating is the functional layer that repels rain, but water-repellent coating finishes on textiles and leather goods have historically relied on PFAS-based chemicals (perfluorocarbons) to achieve water resistance. Polyurethane itself is stable under normal use; the concern centers on what chemical additives were used in the water-repellent treatment and whether they leach or off-gas during handling or storage.
The brand's record and disclosure
TaylorMade (owned by Callaway Golf) does not publicly disclose the specific water-repellent coating chemistry or PFAS status of its golf gloves. No PFAS-free certification or transparent supplier standards have been published for this product line. The brand has not issued statements ruling out PFAS in rain-control apparel, placing it in the silent category typical of legacy golf equipment makers. Independent testing or third-party certifications (OEKO-TEX, Cradle to Cradle) are not listed for these gloves.
How it compares in its category
Rain gloves occupy a niche where water-repellency is the primary selling point, making water-repellent coating treatment essential and often unavoidable. Most conventional golf gloves use PFAS-based water-repellent coating; brands offering PFAS-free or certified alternatives (e.g., via fluorocarbon-free or wax-based coatings) remain rare in golf apparel and typically cost more. Without disclosure, TaylorMade's gloves sit in the middle of an opaque market; they are neither flagged for problematic practices nor verified as safer than peers.
If you buy it
Wear gloves on your hand during use, away from the mouth or face. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources; do not machine wash or tumble dry, as heat can degrade the coating. Wash by hand in cool water with mild soap only. Replace gloves every 12-18 months or when the grip or water-repellency visibly deteriorates; worn-out gloves shed microfibers and lose their protective function. If you have concerns about PFAS exposure, contact the brand directly to request water-repellent coating composition data.
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 coating (fluorinated water repellent)
Rain-control gloves almost universally use water-repellent coating finishes; conventional water-repellent coating formulations contain PFAS. TaylorMade has not disclosed its water-repellent coating chemistry, leaving PFAS presence unconfirmed but probable for this water-resistant product category.
Formaldehyde in synthetic leather or polyurethane finish
No recalls or reports of formaldehyde residues in TaylorMade gloves. Modern polyurethane athletic gloves rarely retain free formaldehyde, though older leather finishes sometimes did; no public evidence of this issue with this brand.
Heavy metals in dyes (azo dyes or pigment additives)
No documented cases of lead or cadmium contamination in TaylorMade golf gloves. Synthetic leather dyes in athletic apparel are generally regulated for heavy metals in major markets, but brand-specific testing data is not public.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic leather degradation
Polyurethane synthetic leather degrades over time with use and washing, potentially releasing microplastic particles. This is a general concern for synthetic leather gloves after extended wear, though not specific to TaylorMade or this model.
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication chemicals
As the water-repellent coating wears, users may apply aftermarket water-repellent sprays (often PFAS-based) to restore function. The glove itself does not pose a known risk from reapplication, but the practice may introduce additional PFAS exposure.
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
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Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgestone
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Lower concern. Golf glove without known waterproofing or Teflon-family coating treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgestone
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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.