Merrell · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Merrell Men's Speed Strike 2 Mid Waterproof
Waterproof hiking boot, PFAS status undisclosed by Merrell.
This mid-cut waterproof hiking boot likely uses water-repellent coating treatment on textiles, a common application for PFAS chemicals. Merrell provides no public disclosure of PFAS avoidance or safer alternatives.
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Material
textile upper with waterproof coating
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 Speed Strike 2 Mid uses a textile upper (likely nylon or polyester blend) bonded to a waterproof membrane coating, typically a polyurethane or PU-laminate layer applied to the inside. The waterproof finish is the critical unknown: Merrell does not publicly disclose whether this coating uses PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments or newer PFAS-free alternatives. The midsole and outsole are synthetic rubber compounds, which pose minimal acute hazards if unexposed.
The brand's record and disclosure
Merrell (owned by Wolverine World Wide) has not published a detailed chemical disclosure policy or PFAS elimination timeline as of available records. The brand maintains no public sustainability report addressing waterproof coating chemistry. This silence on PFAS and flame retardants is more permissive than leading outdoor brands (e.g., Salomon, Arc'teryx) that have committed to phasing out PFAS or adopted third-party certifications like bluesign or GOTS for textiles. No major recalls or formaldehyde controversies are on record for this model.
How it compares in its category
Merrell's approach to chemical disclosure lags behind premium outdoor footwear competitors who now market PFAS-free waterproof coatings explicitly. Mid-range hiking boots often use legacy PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments; alternatives using wax-based or silicone-polymer waterproofing exist but command higher prices. The Speed Strike 2 Mid is typical for its price tier in this opacity, but not exceptional for hazard mitigation.
If you buy it
Wear them primarily outdoors and allow 24-48 hours off-gassing before prolonged indoor storage in poorly ventilated spaces. Machine wash in cool water; avoid high heat drying, as waterproof coatings can degrade. Limit skin contact with the coating during the first few wears. Replace or resole when outsole tread flattens or upper seams separate; reapplication of waterproof treatments should use low-PFAS or PFAS-free products (check labels). Store in a dry, open area.
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 waterproof coating
Merrell does not disclose whether the polyurethane waterproof membrane uses PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes. Exposure is primarily dermal and via leachate if the boot is worn in wet environments for extended periods; inhalation risk is low unless coating is heated or abraded.
Formaldehyde resins in textile bonding
No formaldehyde-based finishing resins or flame retardants are reported in Merrell footwear. Modern synthetic textile-to-membrane adhesives typically use polyurethane or epoxy chemistry, which do not emit formaldehyde.
Azo dyes or heavy metal dyes in textile
Merrell does not disclose dye chemistry, but the Speed Strike 2 Mid upper is typically dark colored (gray, brown, black) and synthetic. Heavy metal pigments are not standard in outdoor footwear textiles; azo dyes are phased out in most major brands' supply chains, though verification is absent.
Antimony in polyester components
If the textile upper is polyester, antimony trioxide may be present as a polymerization catalyst in the resin. Exposure is negligible during normal wear; risk is higher during manufacturing (worker exposure) and end-of-life disposal.
Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds from synthetic coating
Polyurethane and other synthetic waterproof coatings can emit low levels of volatile organic compounds, particularly if applied with solvent-based adhesives. Odor and minor respiratory irritation may occur in poorly ventilated environments during the first 48-72 hours after purchase.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.