Danner · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Danner Men's x Osprey N45 Max Low Shoes
Waterproof shoes likely treated with water-repellent coating; PFAS use unclear from brand.
Danner and Osprey do not disclose PFAS in this collaborative outdoor shoe. Waterproof footwear typically uses water-repellent coating treatments, which may contain PFAS; no independent testing data available.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic leather and textile with waterproof 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
The Danner x Osprey N45 Max Low uses synthetic leather (likely polyurethane or PVC-based) and textile uppers with a waterproof treatment system. Synthetic leather avoids heavy metal tanning residues found in chrome-tanned leather but introduces polymer leachate and degradation concerns. The waterproofing almost certainly relies on a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating, which historically used PFAS compounds (your separate grade covers this). Textile components may include azo dyes and formaldehyde-based finishing resins used in dyeing and wrinkle resistance.
The brand's record and disclosure
Danner is a subsidiary of Wolverine World Wide, which has faced lawsuits over PFAS contamination in groundwater near manufacturing facilities but has not transparently disclosed its water-repellent coating chemistry choices for individual products. Osprey is a gear brand known for environmental transparency; the co-branding does not appear to have prompted Danner to publish full material disclosures for this shoe. Neither brand lists certifications like bluesign or GOTS for this model. Wolverine announced a 2030 PFAS phase-out goal in 2021, but specific product timelines remain unclear.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor hiking and waterproof shoes in this price and performance tier almost universally use water-repellent coating treatments; PFAS-free alternatives exist but are less common in durable synthetic models. Danner's construction quality and reputation for longevity exceed fast-fashion alternatives, reducing replacement frequency and overall hazard exposure per year of use. This shoe sits mid-to-premium in the outdoor footwear market where transparency about chemistry is still inconsistent across the category.
If you buy it
Wash your hands after handling the shoe, especially when new or wet, as water-repellent coating coatings can shed microparticles and residual chemicals. Do not heat-dry at high temperatures; air-dry away from direct heat or sunlight to avoid polymer degradation and off-gassing. Expect the waterproof coating to degrade after 12 to 24 months of regular use; re-treatment products typically contain PFAS as well, so factor durability into your replacement timeline. Store in a cool, dry place and avoid prolonged contact with skin oils and sweat on untreated seams, which can degrade adhesives over time.
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.”
Azo dyes in textile components
Synthetic textile and synthetic leather are commonly dyed with azo colorants, which can release aromatic amines if exposed to sweat, friction, or UV. Danner does not publish dyeing standards for this product, so presence cannot be ruled out.
Formaldehyde-releasing finishing resins
Textile finishing for wrinkle resistance, shape retention, and waterproofing adhesion in seams may incorporate formaldehyde-based resins. No low-formaldehyde certification (e.g., OEKO-TEX) is listed for this shoe, so background levels are unknown.
Synthetic leather degradation and leachates
Polyurethane or PVC synthetic leather breaks down over time with heat, UV, and flexing, potentially releasing plasticizers and polymer fragments. Risk is higher in high-friction areas like heel and ball of foot.
Microplastic and water-repellent coating particle shedding
Waterproof coatings shed microparticles during wear, washing, and abrasion. Studies document this in outdoor apparel; the Danner shoe's specific shedding rate is not published but consistent with the product category.
Adhesive and glue residues in seams
Synthetic shoe construction relies on polyurethane adhesives and solvent-based sealants in waterproof seams. Off-gassing is typically minimal after the first few weeks of wear, but no material safety data sheet is publicly available for this model.
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.