Nike · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
Nike Tour Classic IV Golf Glove
Golf glove likely treated with water-repellent coating; Nike silent on PFAS content.
Golf gloves typically receive water-resistant finishes that may contain PFAS. Nike has not disclosed PFAS use or absence for this product. No independent testing data available.
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Material
leather with 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 Tour Classic IV is constructed from leather (likely cabretta or similar goat/lamb leather common in golf gloves) with a water-resistant finish applied to the back or entire glove. The leather itself poses minimal acute hazard; leather tanning historically used chromium salts, but regulated tanneries in developed supply chains minimize heavy metal residue. The water-resistant treatment is the chemical concern: Nike does not disclose whether they use fluorinated water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) agents such as long-chain PFOA/PFOS precursors or newer alternatives like polysiloxanes or wax-based systems.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has not published specific water-repellent coating chemistry disclosures for golf gloves or committed publicly to PFAS-free water treatments across its apparel lines as of available records. The company has faced scrutiny over PFAS in footwear and has moved some product lines away from fluorinated treatments, but golf glove-specific statements are absent. No major regulatory recalls or safety alerts have been issued for this product, and no independent testing of this specific model for PFAS or other contaminants is publicly documented.
How it compares in its category
Most premium golf gloves (Titleist, Callaway, Ping) use similar leather-plus-water-repellent coating construction with comparable transparency gaps on chemical identity. Some competitors have shifted to silicone or polyurethane-based water treatments to avoid fluorochemicals; Nike has not clearly adopted this across golf. A glove is a short-duration contact item (worn during play, not worn continuously), so dermal absorption risk is lower than for apparel with extended skin contact.
If you buy it
Hand-wash with cool water and mild soap; avoid hot water and harsh detergents that can degrade the water-resistant coating and potentially mobilize residual chemicals. Do not machine wash or dry clean. Replace when grip integrity declines (typically 2-3 seasons of regular play). If you have concerns about PFAS exposure, contact Nike customer service to request water-repellent coating material specifications; lack of a clear answer suggests fluorinated chemistry. Store in a dry place to avoid mold growth in the leather, which could require chemical remediation.
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.”
Chromium and heavy metals in leather tanning residue
Modern cabretta leather from regulated tanneries (typical for Nike golf products) undergoes quality control that minimizes chromium VI and lead leachate. No toxicological alerts are documented for this specific glove model.
Formaldehyde-releasing resins or finish treatments
Leather golf gloves do not typically employ formaldehyde-based resins; water-resistant finishes use polyurethane or fluorochemical bases. No evidence of formaldehyde incorporation in this product category.
Azo dyes and colorant toxicity
If the glove includes dyed leather or synthetic accents, azo dyes are a potential concern in low-cost tanneries. Nike's supply chain standards nominally exclude restricted azo dyes, but explicit certification for golf gloves is not publicly confirmed.
Skin irritation or sensitization from finish chemistry
Water-resistant polyurethane or fluorinated treatments occasionally cause localized contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. No adverse event reports specific to the Tour Classic IV are documented, but hands are a high-contact zone.
Microplastic or synthetic shedding from synthetic overlays
This leather glove does not rely on primary synthetic materials, so microplastic shedding is not a plausible hazard. Synthetic reinforcement patches (if present) are minimal and not subject to mechanical wear.
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.