Nike · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
Nike Tech Extreme 8.0 Golf Glove
Skip until Nike discloses waterproofing chemistry.
Nike does not publicly disclose PFAS use in this glove's water-repellent treatment. Golf gloves typically use water-repellent coating coatings that may contain PFAS, but Nike provides no transparency on formulation.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
synthetic leather 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.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Nike Tech Extreme 8.0 uses synthetic leather (likely polyurethane or PVC-based) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Synthetic leather manufacturing typically involves formaldehyde-based resins for stiffening and finish-coating, plus azo dyes for coloring. The water-repellent coating treatment's chemical identity is undisclosed by Nike, creating uncertainty about PFAS presence. Synthetic materials can also shed microfibers during handling and washing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has not publicly disclosed the specific chemistry of water-repellent coating treatments used in its golf gloves or apparel lines. The company has faced scrutiny over PFAS use in sportswear but has not committed to full phaseout timelines or ingredient transparency for individual products. Nike does not voluntarily publish material safety data sheets or chemical inventories for consumer goods. This silence makes independent verification of hazard levels difficult.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves in this performance tier typically use synthetic leather with water-repellent coating finishes to compete with leather alternatives. Most major brands (Callaway, Titleist, TaylorMade) are similarly opaque about waterproofing chemistry. Genuine leather gloves avoid water-repellent coating treatments but offer less durability and water resistance. Uncoated synthetic options exist but sacrifice the product's core performance claim.
If you buy it
Hand-wash in cool water with mild soap; avoid hot water, which can degrade synthetic coatings and trigger leaching. Do not machine wash or tumble dry. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent premature degradation of the synthetic material and water-repellent coating finish. Replace when the grip surface shows wear or the water-repellent coating visibly fails (water no longer beads on contact). Inspect for color bleeding or odor before first wear, which may indicate excess dye or finish chemicals.
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.”
Formaldehyde resins in synthetic leather and finish coatings
Synthetic leather production and water-repellent coating application commonly employ formaldehyde-based binders and hardeners. Nike does not disclose formaldehyde limits or test results for this glove. Off-gassing is typically low in finished products but possible during manufacturing and early use, particularly if glove is unwashed or stored in warm conditions.
Azo dyes in synthetic leather coloring
Synthetic leather is almost always dyed with azo colorants. Some azo dyes can degrade to carcinogenic aromatic amines under sweat exposure or UV light. Nike does not specify whether restricted azo dyes (per OEKO-TEX or EU regulations) are excluded. Hand contact with glove during use presents minor but ongoing exposure risk.
Microfiber shedding from synthetic material
Synthetic leather, especially when aged or exposed to friction, can release microfibers. During washing or handling, these fibers may shed. Accumulation in the environment is a documented concern but personal exposure during normal golf use is minimal.
Coating degradation and leachable residues
Synthetic leather coatings degrade with age, sweat exposure, and UV light. As coatings break down, unreacted monomers or softening agents (phthalates, plasticizers) can leach into skin contact. Nike has not published durability or leaching data for this specific product line.
Undisclosed PFAS in water-repellent coating treatment
Nike's public silence on water-repellent coating chemistry, combined with the industry prevalence of PFAS-based water repellency in apparel, suggests PFAS presence is probable. PFAS accumulates in the body and environment with repeated exposure. Graded separately at 20/100 but warrants independent confirmation before purchase if PFAS exposure is a concern.
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 Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
Bridgestone
Men's Pair Golf Gloves
Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgestone
Soft Grip Golf Glove
Leather, synthetic grip material, textiles
Lower concern. Golf glove without known waterproofing or Teflon-family coating treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgestone
Lady Golf Glove
Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
⚠Risky category by default
More golf balls & golf gloves 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.