Odyssey · Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
Cabretta Leather Golf Glove
Lower concern. Cabretta leather is inherently PFAS-free material.
Cabretta leather golf gloves are made from sheepskin without known PFAS coatings or water treatments. No brand disclosure on PFAS, but the material itself carries minimal risk.
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Cabretta leather (sheepskin)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
other 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
Cabretta leather is premium sheepskin tanned and finished specifically for golf gloves, valued for its softness, durability, and moisture management. The tanning process typically uses chromium salts (chrome tanning) or vegetable tannins, both well-established methods with minimal toxicological concern at finished product stage. Unlike synthetic glove materials, natural leather does not shed microplastics and inherently contains no PFAS water-repellency coatings. The glove's minimal chemical footprint is a material advantage over synthetic alternatives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Odyssey is a major golf equipment manufacturer with no documented safety recalls or chemical controversies on record for gloves. The brand does not publicly disclose tanning chemistry or supply chain certifications (e.g., Leather Working Group environmental standards), which is typical for mainstream golf equipment but represents a transparency gap. No independently verified testing data or certifications specific to heavy metals or residual tanning chemicals in Odyssey gloves are available in public sources. The brand's silence on material sourcing does not indicate a problem, but limits independent verification.
How it compares in its category
Cabretta leather gloves are the premium standard in golf and generally carry lower chemical processing burden than synthetic microfiber or hybrid materials, which often require water-resistant finishes and synthetic dyes. Natural leather tanning is a centuries-old process with established industrial safety protocols, whereas newer synthetic glove materials have less long-term wear data. Wool or cotton-blend alternatives exist but offer less durability and grip consistency. Cabretta sits at the top of the safety profile for golf gloves due to material simplicity.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry location to prevent mold or mildew growth on the natural material; avoid prolonged moisture exposure. Cabretta leather can soften and wear faster than synthetic alternatives with heavy use, requiring eventual replacement (typically after 2-5 years of regular play). Clean by wiping with a damp cloth only; do not soak or machine wash. No special precautions needed beyond normal leather care; the glove poses no acute health risk during typical golf use.
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.”
Heavy metals in tanning residues (chromium, cobalt)
Chrome tanning is standard for Cabretta leather but residual hexavalent chromium or cobalt can remain in leather if tanning not properly controlled. No specific testing data for Odyssey gloves exists in public records; risk is typical of all chrome-tanned leather goods but generally considered low at finished product stage with skin contact.
Formaldehyde in leather finishing
Formaldehyde-based resins may be used in leather finishing to harden or waterproof surfaces. Odyssey does not disclose finish chemistry; any exposure would be minimal during brief skin contact and dissipate quickly with glove removal.
Azo dyes in coloring
Natural leather is often dyed with azo dyes, which can release carcinogenic amines under certain conditions. No brand-specific test data available; typical Cabretta gloves use minimal dye and pose minimal risk during normal use since skin contact is intermittent and dry.
Mold or bacterial growth from moisture retention
Cabretta leather can retain moisture if not dried properly, creating potential for fungal growth. This is a usage and storage issue, not a manufacturing defect, and easily prevented with standard leather care.
Nickel or cobalt in metal hardware (snap, closure)
Golf gloves typically have minimal metal hardware; if present, nickel-sensitive individuals may experience contact dermatitis. No recalls or complaints on record for Odyssey gloves, and metal contact is minimal.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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 golf balls & golf equipment 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.