Nike · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Nike ACG Pegasus Trail Running Shoes
Trail shoes likely treated with water-repellent coating, Nike silent on PFAS
Nike has not publicly disclosed PFAS use or avoidance in ACG Pegasus Trail shoes. Waterproof/water-resistant trail shoes typically use water-repellent coating treatments that may contain PFAS, though specifics are unconfirmed here.
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Material
Mesh, synthetic leather, foam midsole with water-repellent 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 ACG Pegasus Trail uses a mesh upper (likely polyester or nylon blend), synthetic leather overlays, and a foam midsole. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating on the mesh and leather is the chemical focal point: this is almost certainly PFAS-based Teflon-family coating treatment, standard across the industry for water-shedding function in trail shoes. The foam midsole itself (EVA or similar elastomer) carries no established toxicity risk at point of use. Synthetic materials in athletic footwear do not typically leach regulated contaminants like phthalates or heavy metals at measurable levels during normal wear.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has faced sustained criticism for opacity on PFAS use in textile and footwear water-repellent coating coatings but has not issued a public commitment to phase out PFAS in this category, unlike some competitors (e.g., Salomon, some Patagonia lines). Nike publishes sustainability reports but does not itemize PFAS presence by product or confirm PFC-free alternatives for trail shoes. No recalls or toxicity incidents specific to ACG Pegasus have been documented. The brand's wider record shows responsiveness to lead/cadmium and formaldehyde concerns in manufacturing, but water-repellent coating chemistry remains unaddressed in public statements.
How it compares in its category
Trail running shoes are heavier PFAS users than road shoes due to water-exposure design demands. Most major brands (Nike, Salomon, The North Face, ASICS trail lines) treat uppers similarly. True PFC-free alternatives exist (some Topo Athletic, merrell models, certain Altra versions) but are less common. The ACG Pegasus sits in the mainstream, performance-focused segment where water-repellent coating treatment is near-universal; avoidance of PFAS in this category requires deliberate seeking of PFC-free certifications.
If you buy it
No special care constraints beyond normal athletic shoe maintenance: machine wash cold with mild detergent if needed, air dry away from direct heat (foam integrity). water-repellent coating will fade over 6-12 months of regular use; reapplication is possible with commercial PFC-free water-repellent coating sprays if desired (though adds another treatment layer). Replace when midsole cushioning feels flat or upper develops structural wear, typically 300-500 miles of trail running. Do not expose to prolonged heat or solvents, which could degrade coatings.
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.”
Azo dyes in synthetic leather / mesh colorants
Nike synthetic leather and polyester mesh typically comply with REACH/ZDHC restrictions on azo dyes in consumer footwear. No documented incidents of azo dye migration or dermatitis from ACG Pegasus or comparable Nike trail shoes.
Formaldehyde resins in adhesives and finishes
Athletic shoe adhesives and synthetic coating systems can contain formaldehyde-releasers, but levels in finished footwear are below consumer safety thresholds in established markets. Nike has not reported formaldehyde issues in trail shoe QA.
Antimony in polyester fibers
Polyester mesh upper may contain trace antimony as a polymerization catalyst, typical in the fiber industry. Antimony at background levels in synthetic textiles is not considered a contact or inhalation hazard during normal wear; no specific data on ACG Pegasus antimony content.
Foam midsole degradation and microparticle shedding
EVA or polyurethane foam midsoles naturally degrade and shed microparticles over extended use, especially under abrasion or UV exposure. Inhalation risk is minimal during wear; cleanup of worn midsole debris is low-hazard standard practice.
water-repellent coating-related PFAS exposure (classified separately per your brief)
See PFAS grade (20/100) and category-level assessment. Teflon-family coating water-repellent coating is industry standard on trail shoes; Nike silence on fluorine chemistry is the documented gap in disclosure.
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.