PFAS score
Merrell · Waterproof Boots
Merrell Men's Moab 3 Mid
Skip or contact Merrell directly, waterproof hiking boots typically use PFAS-based water-repellent coating, but the company doesn't disclose.
The Moab 3 Mid is a popular waterproof hiking boot that almost certainly features a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment to shed moisture. Merrell makes no public statement about PFAS in this product or its waterproofing chemistry.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Leather/synthetic upper, rubber sole, waterproofed with water-repellent coating 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.
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.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Boots
Allbirds
Men's Cruiser Mid Explore Shoes
Sugarcane-based foam, wool blend, natural rubber sole
Lower PFAS concern due to natural material focus; no water-repellent coating treatment disclosed.
⚠Risky category by default
Mephisto
Men's Leonardo
Leather upper, rubber/synthetic sole
Lower concern for a leather dress shoe; no known water-repellent coating typical of this product category.
⚠Risky category by default
Mephisto
Men's Fosco Leather Boots
Leather upper; rubber sole
Lower PFAS concern for classic leather boots; no treatment features flagged, but brand offers no disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
More waterproof boots 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.