Danner · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Danner Men's N45 Low GTX Waterproof Hiking Shoes
Waterproof hiking shoe with Gore-Tex, PFAS risk unclear, Danner silent on disclosure.
Danner N45 GTX uses Gore-Tex membrane for waterproofing, a material historically associated with PFAS but increasingly reformulated. Brand provides no public PFAS disclosure or testing data. Contact Danner directly for current composition details.
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Material
Gore-Tex waterproof membrane with nubuck leather upper
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
The N45 Low GTX uses Gore-Tex laminate bonded to a nubuck leather upper with synthetic components in the sole and webbing. Gore-Tex's waterproofing relies on chemical Teflon-family coating whose exact PFAS composition Danner does not publicly detail; similar Gore-Tex footwear from competitors also lacks transparency. Nubuck leather is tanned and finished with resins and dyes, which can release formaldehyde or other volatile compounds, especially during break-in or if stored in warm conditions. The shoe has no known coating degradation issues specific to this model based on available user reports.
The brand's record and disclosure
Danner (a Wolverine subsidiary) does not publish ingredient transparency reports or PFAS phase-out commitments for its waterproof footwear lines. The brand has no documented major chemical safety recalls in recent years, and no third-party certifications (e.g., Cradle to Cradle, OEKO-TEX, bluesign) are marketed for this model. Danner's parent company Wolverine pledged to reduce environmental impacts but does not isolate PFAS disclosure for individual products.
How it compares in its category
Most premium waterproof hiking shoes use Gore-Tex or similar proprietary membranes, all of which involve fluorinated chemistry not yet widely disclosed. Danner's construction quality and durability reputation is strong; its lack of transparency mirrors the industry norm rather than an outlier. Alternatives with certified lower-chemical profiles (e.g., some Salomon or La Sportiva models with bluesign) exist but are less common and often lack Gore-Tex waterproofing. The N45 sits mid-to-premium tier without standout chemical accountability.
If you buy it
Wear shoes outdoors or in ventilated spaces for the first 10-15 wears to allow leather finishes to off-gas. Avoid storing in sealed bags or hot cars; air dry after wet use (not near direct heat, which can degrade Gore-Tex adhesive). Replace insoles if they develop odor or breakdown after 1-2 years of heavy use. Clean nubuck with dry brush and avoid prolonged water exposure of the suede itself (Gore-Tex lines the interior, but the outer leather ages better if not saturated).
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.”
Formaldehyde resins in leather finishing and tanning
Nubuck leather uppers typically use formaldehyde-releasing resins in their surface finish and dye processes. Off-gassing is most noticeable during the first 1-2 weeks of wear; well-ventilated use and airing mitigates exposure. Danner does not disclose tannery practices or resin types for this model.
PFAS in Gore-Tex waterproof membrane
Gore-Tex membranes rely on fluorinated chemistry, very likely to include long-chain or short-chain PFAS, though exact formulations are proprietary. Danner provides no public disclosure of PFAS presence, concentration, or migration risk in the N45. User contact with the inner Gore-Tex lining is minimal in normal wear but increases if the shoe is damaged or seams fail.
Azo dyes in leather and synthetic upper
Nubuck leather and polyester webbing are conventionally dyed; many manufacturers still use azo dyes or chromium-based dyes. Restricted azo dyes are banned in EU and some US products, but Danner does not specify dye chemistry. Migration to skin is low under dry conditions but can increase with heavy sweating.
Adhesives and solvents in construction
Shoe assembly uses adhesives to bond Gore-Tex to uppers and attach soles. No specific complaints or recalls tied to VOC off-gassing from adhesives in this model are on record. Standard manufacturing practice involves solvents that off-gas during cure; new shoes should be aired out before prolonged wear.
Antimony in polyester components
Synthetic materials in the sole, webbing, and lining may contain antimony as a polyester catalyst. No known health incidents or test failures specific to Danner footwear. Antimony leaching risk is low in footwear unless the shoe is damaged or heated significantly.
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.
More hiking shoes & trail runners 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.