Odyssey · Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
Men's Harbor Glove - Harbor / Wear on my left-hand / L
Golf gloves often use water-repellent coating treatments; Odyssey has not disclosed PFAS status.
Odyssey Harbor Gloves likely have water-resistant finish typical of golf gloves, which may contain PFAS. Brand provides no public PFAS disclosure or testing data.
The safe swap
Mizuno
Mizuno Comp Glove
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Leather or synthetic leather glove with waterproof 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
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
Men's Harbor Glove is a leather or synthetic leather glove treated with a waterproof/water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Golf gloves in this category typically use either polyurethane-based synthetic leather or genuine leather with fluorochemical or wax-based water treatments. The water-repellent coating treatment is the primary chemical concern; synthetic leather itself (polyurethane or PVC) has low acute hazard but degrades over time with hand moisture and friction, potentially releasing breakdown particles.
The brand's record and disclosure
Odyssey (a Callaway Golf brand) does not publicly disclose PFAS content or commitment to PFAS-free water repellency in their glove lines. The company has not published transparency reports on chemical restrictions or third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or Bluesign) for apparel. No major safety recalls or chemical contamination incidents are on record for Odyssey gloves, but the silent stance on water-repellent coating chemistry leaves purchaser uncertainty about fluorochemical use.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves are a minor-use apparel item (worn 2-4 hours per use) with brief skin contact. Compared to everyday clothing or footwear, exposure duration and surface area are low. Most golf gloves (including competitors like Titleist, FootJoy) also use water-repellent coating treatments and do not disclose PFAS status, making Odyssey typical rather than distinctive. A few brands (e.g., some organic/sustainable lines) offer wax-based water-repellent coating alternatives, but these are less common and typically cost more.
If you buy it
Inspect the glove weekly for coating damage, peeling, or delamination on the palm and fingers; replace immediately if the waterproof layer separates, as this can trap moisture against skin and degrade the material faster. Wash by hand in cool water with mild soap; do not machine wash or dry-clean, as heat and solvents accelerate synthetic leather breakdown. Allow air-drying away from direct heat or sunlight. Replace every 12-18 months of regular use or sooner if the grip or water repellency noticeably decreases.
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.”
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment chemistry (likely PFAS)
Odyssey does not disclose whether water repellency uses fluorochemical (PFAS) or fluorine-free methods. Industry standard for golf gloves is fluorochemical water-repellent coating; PFAS-free alternatives are rare in this category. Skin contact is intermittent and brief (during play), limiting direct absorption risk, but PFAS can accumulate in sweat/moisture near treated surface.
Synthetic leather or polyurethane coating degradation
Synthetic leather gloves commonly show peeling, cracking, or particulate shedding after 12-24 months of moisture exposure and friction. Degradation products (microparticulates of polyurethane or PVC) are not formally regulated but may be inhaled or ingested in trace amounts; no acute toxicity is documented for occasional exposure from a single glove.
Formaldehyde resins in leather tanning or bonding
If genuine leather is used, tanning processes may include formaldehyde-based fixatives. Odyssey has not disclosed leather sourcing or tanning method. Finished leather gloves typically off-gas formaldehyde at very low levels after curing; direct skin contact during use presents minimal inhalation or dermal absorption risk for a single glove worn briefly.
Azo dyes in leather or synthetic coloring
Leather and synthetic leather are often dyed with azo colorants, some of which can cleave to release carcinogenic amines under heavy sweating or friction. No specific incidents or testing results are public for Odyssey gloves; risk is theoretical and very low given intermittent, brief wear on a single small item.
Contact dermatitis or sensitization from treated surface
Residual chemicals from water-repellent coating treatment, dyes, or leather finish can cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. This is a known but uncommon issue with golf gloves; Odyssey does not list hypoallergenic or allergen-tested variants. Discontinue use immediately if rash, redness, or itching develops.
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 Equipment
Mizuno
Comp Glove
Leather/synthetic leather athletic glove
No known PFAS risk, but Mizuno discloses nothing about treatments.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Mizuno
Cabretta Leather Golf Glove
Cabretta leather, likely with standard leather tanning and finishing
Lower concern. Leather glove lacks water treatment trigger.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Callaway
Men's Chev Soft Golf Glove
leather and synthetic materials
Golf glove with lower PFAS concern; no known high-risk coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.