Lowa · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Lowa Men's Renegade Evo GTX Lo Hiking Shoes
Waterproof hiking shoe with likely water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unknown.
Lowa does not disclose PFAS in materials or coatings. Gore-Tex lining and water-repellent coating-treated nubuck leather are common PFAS exposure points in outdoor footwear, though specific treatment composition is unconfirmed.
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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 Renegade Evo GTX Lo uses nubuck leather (a sanded, velvety leather surface) for the upper, which is a natural material with low toxicity risk but requires regular conditioning to prevent cracking and water ingress. The Gore-Tex lining is a microporous polymer membrane that blocks water and wind while allowing vapor transmission; Gore-Tex itself is inert Teflon-type coating-based material with no established off-gassing hazard under normal use. The shoe's waterproofing likely relies on a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the outer fabric and leather, which is where PFAS chemicals are typically introduced, though Lowa has not disclosed the specific chemistry.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lowa is a mid-tier German footwear brand without a published stance on PFAS or chemical transparency. No major safety recalls or contamination incidents are documented for this model. The brand does not publicly commit to PFAS-free manufacturing or provide material safety documentation beyond Gore-Tex certification, making independent verification of non-fluorinated water-repellent coating coatings impossible.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream hiking shoes at this price point (EUR 150-200) use Gore-Tex with undisclosed water-repellent coating treatments; Lowa is typical, not an outlier. Brands like Salewa and Hanwag similarly do not disclose PFAS status. Premium alternatives from Scarpa or Asolo occasionally specify paraffin-based or PFOA-free water-repellent coating, but product-level transparency remains rare in hiking footwear.
If you buy it
Condition the nubuck leather every 3-6 months with a nubuck-specific conditioner to maintain the water-resistant finish and prevent premature water absorption that would stress the Gore-Tex membrane. Avoid machine washing; clean with a soft brush and mild soap. Replace when the heel or toe shows deep wear (2-3 years typical for moderate use), as structural integrity matters more than surface coating degradation. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent mold inside the Gore-Tex layer.
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.”
water-repellent coating composition (PFAS concern, graded separately)
Lowa does not disclose whether the water-repellent coating treatment uses legacy PFAS (PFOA/PFOS) or newer alternatives like GenX or Teflon-type coating-based compounds; standard industry practice for this price tier often includes C8 or C6 fluorocarbons, but cannot be confirmed for this model.
Formaldehyde resins in leather finishing
Nubuck leather tanning and finishing can involve formaldehyde-based resins, but no recalls or documented contamination are on record for Lowa footwear; typical vegetable or synthetic tanning processes in modern footwear carry minimal residual risk.
Azo dyes in fabric and leather dyeing
Lowa is a Tier 1 German manufacturer with EU supply chain oversight; azo dyes banned under the Azo Standard are unlikely, though product-level testing is not publicly available.
Antimony in polyester components
Gore-Tex polyester backing and any synthetic reinforcements are not flagged in industry advisories for antimony catalysts; Lowa sources from established European mills with standard compliance.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic components
Gore-Tex membrane and synthetic linings will shed microfibers with repeated washing or abrasion over years; minimize by hand cleaning rather than machine washing and laundering only when necessary.
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.