Lowa · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Lowa Boots Men's Camino Evo GTX
Gore-Tex membrane likely contains PFAS. Lowa provides no disclosure.
Lowa Camino Evo GTX uses Gore-Tex for waterproofing, which typically relies on PFAS-based membranes. Brand offers no PFAS transparency or commitments.
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Material
Nubuck leather upper, Gore-Tex membrane lining
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 Camino Evo GTX uses nubuck leather on the upper, which is sanded leather that breathes well but requires regular conditioning. The Gore-Tex membrane lining provides waterproofing and breathability critical for hiking but likely contains PFAS-based water-repellent chemistry (not disclosed by Lowa). The sole is typically rubber or polyurethane, and internal components may include synthetic adhesives and foam.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lowa does not publicly disclose PFAS content, fluorinated chemical use, or commit to phasing them out, despite growing industry pressure. The company provides no certifications like OEKO-TEX or Bluesign that would indicate restricted chemical screening. Lowa has no published transparency reports on hazardous substance policies, making independent verification of footwear safety claims difficult.
How it compares in its category
Premium hiking boots in this price tier typically use Gore-Tex or similar Teflon-type coating-based waterproof membranes, nearly all of which contain PFAS. Competing brands (Salomon, Merrell, Scarpa) rarely disclose PFAS either, making this a category-wide opacity issue. Nubuck uppers are standard and relatively low-risk compared to synthetic textiles, which can harbor more chemical residues.
If you buy it
Condition nubuck regularly with products designed for that leather type to maintain water resistance without relying solely on the Gore-Tex membrane. Avoid applying additional fluorinated water repellents, which would add PFAS exposure. Replace boots when sole wear becomes uneven or lining tears, as internal damage compromises waterproofing. Air-dry after wet hikes; do not machine wash or apply heat above 60C.
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 Gore-Tex membrane
Gore-Tex waterproof lining almost certainly contains Teflon-family coating or Teflon-type coating-based PFAS. Lowa's silence on this and lack of alternative-membrane options makes it a known risk in this product class, though dermal uptake from wearing boots is lower than from treated textiles in direct skin contact.
Formaldehyde resins in adhesives and finishes
Leather tanning and adhesives bonding the Gore-Tex lining to the upper may involve formaldehyde-releasing agents. Nubuck sanding dust can irritate respiratory tracts if inhaled during break-in, though off-gassing during normal wear is minimal.
Heavy metals in leather tannage
Chrome or other metal salts used in traditional leather tanning can leave trace residues; Lowa does not specify tanning method (vegetable, chrome, synthetic). Risk is low in finished form but becomes relevant if leather deteriorates or is burned.
Antimony in polyester backing
If the Gore-Tex lining backing or internal mesh components use polyester textiles, antimony trioxide may be present as a catalyst residue. This is typical in the category but rarely disclosed; dermal exposure from footwear is low unless lining directly contacts broken skin.
Flame retardant coatings on insulation
No evidence of flame retardant treatment on nubuck or Gore-Tex components in this model. Lowa does not advertise flame resistance, and hiking boots are not typically treated.
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.