FootJoy · Golf Equipment & Apparel
FootJoy RainGrip Golf Gloves
Water-repellent golf gloves; water-repellent coating treatment PFAS risk unclear
FootJoy RainGrip gloves use water-repellent coatings common in golf gear. Brand does not disclose PFAS status; treatment chemistry unknown. Check with retailer or manufacturer for coating details if concerned.
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Material
Synthetic leather or microfiber 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
FootJoy RainGrip gloves use synthetic leather or microfiber, petroleum-derived polymers designed to mimic leather durability, paired with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. The water-repellent coating finish is the critical unknown: traditional water-repellent coating treatments use fluorinated compounds (PFAS family) to create water-shedding properties essential for golf in wet conditions. Modern microfiber substrates themselves are stable and unlikely to shed microplastics during normal wear, but the coating's long-term durability and composition remain unclear from public sources.
The brand's record and disclosure
FootJoy, owned by Acushnet Holdings, has not published specific environmental disclosures or PFAS phase-out commitments on its website or in accessible sustainability reporting. The brand is silent on water-repellent coating chemistry and textile chemical management, which is common in the golf equipment sector but limits consumer confidence. No major recalls or chemical safety controversies specific to FootJoy gloves have been documented in public health databases.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves inherently require water resistance, which most mid-range and premium brands achieve via fluorinated water-repellent coating finishes; PFAS-free alternatives (e.g., wax-based or polyurethane coatings) exist but are rare and often marketed at premium price points. FootJoy is positioned as a performance-first brand and does not emphasize chemical transparency as a competitive feature. Compared to typical synthetic gloves without water-repellent treatment, this product trades chemical unknowns for functional water performance in its intended use case.
If you buy it
Wash gloves in cool water with mild soap and air-dry; avoid heat sources and bleach, which can degrade coatings and increase any leaching risk. Replace gloves when water-repellency noticeably declines (typically 1-2 seasons of regular play). Store in a dry area to prevent mold; moisture-trapped gloves may off-gas or degrade faster. Consider contacting FootJoy directly to request water-repellent coating composition details if chemical transparency is a priority for your purchase decision.
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 synthetic leather or finishes
No documented formaldehyde-release hazards specific to FootJoy RainGrip gloves or typical microfiber/synthetic leather golf apparel. Standard synthetic leather used in gloves is not a recognized source of formaldehyde emissions during wear.
Azo dyes
FootJoy gloves are typically dyed neutral colors (black, white, tan) and microfiber substrates do not inherently use restricted azo dyes. No public reports of azo dye issues in this product line.
Coating degradation and leachates from water-repellent coating finish
Water-repellent coatings can degrade with washing and wear, potentially releasing coating particles or residues. If the water-repellent coating is fluorinated, prolonged skin contact after coating breakdown is an unquantified but plausible exposure pathway, though acute risk from brief glove wear is low.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic substrate
Microfiber itself does not shed significantly during normal hand wear; microplastic concern is primarily a laundry issue for textiles. Golf glove hand contact is low-friction and poses minimal shedding risk during use.
Heavy metals in dyes or pigments
No documented heavy metal contamination in FootJoy glove dyes or finishes. Synthetic leather colorants in sports gloves are not a recognized source of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in published safety literature.
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.
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Honma
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Honma
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⚠Risky category by default
More golf equipment & apparel 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.