Odyssey · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
FootJoy Golf RainGrip Gloves
Golf glove with water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unclear without testing.
RainGrip gloves use water-resistant treatment typical of golf apparel, but FootJoy/Odyssey disclose nothing about PFAS or coating chemistry. water-repellent coating treatments often contain PFAS; independent testing would confirm risk level.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic 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
FootJoy RainGrip Gloves use synthetic leather (polyurethane or PVC-based) with a water-resistant (water-repellent coating) water-repellent coating finish. The water-repellent coating is the primary concern: these are historically applied using PFAS-based chemistry (like C8 or legacy PFOA), though manufacturers have shifted toward shorter-chain alternatives or non-PFAS systems in recent years. Without explicit lab testing or brand disclosure, the specific formulation of this glove's water treatment remains unknown. Synthetic leather itself does not typically off-gas formaldehyde resins or harbor heavy metals at levels of concern in outdoor apparel.
The brand's record and disclosure
FootJoy (Acushnet Company) has not publicly committed to PFAS-free water treatments or released testing data for their golf gloves. The brand does not maintain a published restricted substances list or third-party certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, bluesign) that would guarantee absence of legacy PFAS. Odyssey, listed as the brand here, is FootJoy's putter/equipment division; product labeling and material sourcing follow FootJoy standards, which remain largely silent on water-repellent coating chemistry. This silence is typical across golf apparel but reflects lack of transparency rather than known contamination.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves universally require water-resistant treatments to maintain grip in wet conditions; RainGrip is a mid-market product. Most competing brands (Titleist, Callaway, Ping) use similar synthetic leather with water-repellent coating finishes and do not disclose PFAS status. Organic cotton gloves with wax or silicone water treatments exist but are niche and often perform worse in rain. The RainGrip glove occupies the standard risk profile for this category: PFAS exposure potential is category-wide, not brand-specific.
If you buy it
Wash gloves in cool water after use to remove salt, dirt, and sweat; avoid hot water or machine washing, which may degrade the water-repellent coating and increase leaching of treatment chemicals. Do not expose to direct heat, sunlight for extended periods, or dry cleaning solvents. Replace after 18-24 months or when water no longer beads on the palm; older coatings shed microparticles as they break down. If PFAS-free golf gloves are important to you, contact FootJoy directly for water-repellent coating composition specifics before purchase, or choose uncoated leather gloves as an alternative.
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 (water-repellent coating) coating
water-repellent coating finishes on synthetic leather golf gloves historically use PFAS chemistry. FootJoy has not disclosed whether this glove uses legacy PFAS (C8, PFOA) or modern alternatives. Dermal contact during wear and potential leaching into sweat are low-level but ongoing exposure pathways.
Azo dyes and synthetic leather coloring
No recalls or public testing data document azo dye concerns in FootJoy golf gloves. Synthetic leather is typically colorfast with low migration risk. Standard risk for dyed synthetic textiles, but no product-specific evidence of hazard.
Polyurethane degradation and microplastics shedding
Synthetic leather gloves degrade over time, especially with heat, sweat, and repeated flexing. Microscopic fragments of PU coating and water-repellent coating treatment may shed into sweat and be absorbed or ingested if transferred to hands-to-mouth. This is inherent to synthetic leather apparel and not unique to this product.
Formaldehyde in synthetic leather production
Polyurethane-based synthetic leather does not typically use formaldehyde-releasing resins. No public data or recalls implicate formaldehyde in FootJoy golf gloves. Risk is low in this material class.
Contact dermatitis from coating or dyes
No documented cases of allergic dermatitis linked to RainGrip gloves. Fragrance-free, colorfast formulation typical for golf gloves minimizes allergen risk. Individual sensitivity to synthetic materials is possible but not a product-specific 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.