Honma · Golf Equipment & Apparel
Malbon Golf X Honma Men's Premium Glove
Premium golf glove with likely water-resistant coating; PFAS status unclear.
Golf gloves typically feature water-resistant or moisture-wicking treatments that may contain PFAS. Honma discloses no PFAS information. Limited public data available on this specific product.
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Material
Leather, synthetic materials with water-resistant 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
This Malbon Golf x Honma glove combines genuine leather (likely cabretta or similar premium hand leather) with synthetic reinforcements and a water-resistant topcoat treatment. The water resistance is the key concern: Honma does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of this treatment, which is often a fluorocarbon-based finish (relevant to PFAS grading separately). Leather itself is processed with tannins and dyes that can include heavy metals; premium golf gloves typically undergo stricter tanning controls than mass-market leather goods, but individual batch testing is not standard.
The brand's record and disclosure
Honma is a Japanese golf equipment manufacturer with a focus on premium positioning but minimal public disclosure on material safety or chemical use. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this glove model. The brand does not publish safety data sheets, third-party certifications (such as Leather Working Group or OEKO-TEX), or statements on heavy metal limits or dye safety. This silence on water-resistant treatment chemistry is typical for golf apparel but represents a gap in consumer transparency.
How it compares in its category
Premium leather golf gloves from established brands (Titleist, FootJoy, Callaway) similarly lack public chemical disclosure for water treatments, though some now carry OEKO-TEX or LWG certifications. Honma's positioning suggests quality tanning, but the absence of third-party verification makes direct safety comparison difficult. Mid-range synthetic gloves avoid water-resistant coatings altogether, reducing coating-related hazards but sacrificing durability and grip in wet conditions.
If you buy it
Wear gloves during initial break-in and first wet use to minimize direct skin contact with any residual finish chemicals or dye transfer. Hand-wash in cool water with mild soap; avoid machine washing or prolonged soaking, which accelerates coating breakdown. Replace the glove when leather shows visible cracking, seam separation, or loss of water beading, typically after 6-12 months of regular play. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent synthetic reinforcement degradation.
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.”
Heavy metals in leather tanning and dyes
Leather tanning may use chromium or other heavy metals; no third-party certification data available for this Honma glove. Premium cabretta leather typically undergoes better quality control than commodity leather, but batch-level testing is not published.
Undisclosed water-resistant coating chemistry
Water-resistant treatments on golf gloves are almost always fluorocarbon-based finishes. Honma provides no public information on the specific chemistry; degradation over time may release microparticles and coating residues into skin contact areas.
Synthetic material off-gassing (reinforcements and backing)
Synthetic reinforcements in the palm and synthetic backing layers may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing and early use. No off-gassing data or volatile content limits are disclosed by the brand.
Azo dye allergenicity
Leather dyes, particularly reds and oranges in multi-color glove designs, may include azo dyes that can trigger contact dermatitis or sensitization in susceptible users. Premium leather often uses higher-quality dyes, but no restrictions or testing data are published for this product.
Formaldehyde in synthetic stitching or adhesives
Golf glove construction uses minimal adhesives and stitching; formaldehyde risk is lower than in textile-heavy apparel. No recalls or reports specific to Honma gloves have been identified.
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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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.