PFAS score
Merrell · Waterproof Hiking Socks
Merrell Moab Hiker Crew Hiking Socks
Lower concern for most wearers, but water-repellent coating treatment chemicals unspecified, typical for socks but worth noting if you avoid PFAS.
Merrell Moab Hiker Crew socks use a merino wool/synthetic blend with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishing, which is standard for hiking socks. Merrell does not publicly disclose the chemistry of its water-repellent coating treatment or claim PFAS-free status.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Merino wool/synthetic blend 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 58% 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 Hiking Socks
Smartwool
Men's Mountaineer Classic Edition Maximum Cushion Crew Socks
Merino wool blend (primary natural fiber)
Lower PFAS concern, natural wool fiber with no waterproofing treatment flagged, but Smartwool provides no explicit PFAS disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Smartwool
Men's Hike Full Cushion Crew Socks
Merino wool blend (merino wool, nylon, elastane)
Lower PFAS concern; natural fiber socks unlikely to need water-repellent coating treatment, but Smartwool's lack of disclosure leaves room for uncertainty.
⚠Risky category by default
Smartwool
Men's Hike Classic Edition Full Cushion Crew Socks
Merino wool blend (primary fiber); no reported water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) or stain treatment disclosed
Lower PFAS concern, plain wool socks with no disclosed treatments, but verify fiber content if sourcing matters to you.
⚠Risky category by default
More waterproof hiking socks 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.