Nike · Hiking Shoes & Trail Runners
Nike Men's SFB 6" Leather Boot
Military boot likely treated for water resistance; Nike silent on PFAS.
SFB boots use leather with likely water-repellent coating for military durability. Nike does not disclose PFAS ingredients or make PFAS-free claims; many tactical footwear products historically contain fluorinated water repellents.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Leather upper with waterproof/water-resistant 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.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The SFB 6 uses full-grain leather upper with a waterproof or water-resistant treatment applied to the surface. Leather itself is minimally hazardous, but the water-resistance coating is the chemical concern: military-spec tactical boots typically receive fluorochemical (PFAS-based) treatments to repel water while maintaining breathability. Nike has not publicly disclosed the specific water-resistant agent used in this model, leaving the PFAS load uncertain but probable.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike signed the ZDHC Gateway chemical transparency commitment in 2015 and publishes limited manufacturing data, but does not routinely disclose PFAS use in individual shoe lines, especially technical/military products. The company has faced scrutiny over PFOA/PFAS in apparel and footwear but has not issued recalls specific to the SFB line. Nike's silence on this boot's water-treatment chemistry is consistent with broader industry reluctance to flag PFAS in performance footwear.
How it compares in its category
Tactical and military-spec boots from major brands (Nike, Salomon, 5.11 Tactical) typically contain PFAS-based water treatments to meet durability and field-performance standards. Non-treated or PFAS-free alternatives exist (e.g., natural wax finishes, silicone-based water repellents) but are less common in this performance tier. The SFB is middle-of-the-road for chemical transparency: better than unbranded imports, worse than brands that voluntarily disclose PFAS content.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from heat sources; PFAS coatings do not off-gas significantly at room temperature but can degrade if exposed to sustained high heat or UV. Clean with mild soap and water, avoiding harsh solvents or heat-drying. Expect the water-resistant coating to degrade within 2-3 years of regular use; re-treatment with PFAS-containing products is standard practice. If PFAS exposure is a priority concern, inquire directly with Nike's customer service about the specific water-treatment chemistry before purchase.
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 water-resistant coating
Military-spec tactical boots routinely use fluorochemical (PFAS) treatments for water repellency. Nike has not disclosed the agent used in the SFB 6, but public filings and industry practice strongly suggest PFAS presence.
Formaldehyde in tanning or dyes
Full-grain leather tanning can involve formaldehyde-based resins, but no recalls or public warnings specific to Nike SFB leather or tanning process are on record.
Azo dyes or heavy metals in leather colorants
Leather dyeing is regulated in most Nike supply chains under ZDHC standards; no specific safety alerts for SFB 6 colorants have been reported.
Antimony or other heavy metals in polyester/synthetic components
The boot includes synthetic reinforcement and lining; standard materials testing by Nike suppliers typically screens for antimony, and no contamination alerts are public for this model.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Water-resistant coatings degrade with wear and washing. Whether shed particles contain bioavailable PFAS depends on the coating's chemical stability; no study of SFB-specific shedding has been published.
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.