Puma · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
Puma Golf Men's Flexlite Golf Glove
Golf glove with water resistance; PFAS in treatment unknown, brand silent.
Puma's Flexlite glove likely uses water-repellent coating treatment, but composition details are undisclosed. No PFAS claims or third-party verification available from brand.
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Material
Synthetic leather/polyurethane 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
Puma's Flexlite Golf Glove uses synthetic leather (likely polyurethane or PU microfiber) with a water-resistant topical treatment. Polyurethane itself is relatively stable and does not naturally leach problematic chemicals during normal wear, but the water-resistant finish is the concern: manufacturers typically apply water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings to synthetic leather, and these are historically where PFAS compounds have been used. The glove's construction avoids ceramic or metal components, eliminating heavy metal leaching risks common in other apparel.
The brand's record and disclosure
Puma has not publicly disclosed specific PFAS avoidance or water-resistant treatment chemistry for this glove line. The brand does publish sustainability goals but remains silent on per-product water-repellent coating composition. No major safety recalls specific to this model have been documented in public databases. Without third-party testing or brand transparency, the actual fluorochemical content of the water-resistant layer cannot be verified from available information.
How it compares in its category
Most golf gloves use synthetic leather with water resistance, placing Puma in a typical market position. Competitors like Callaway and FootJoy rarely disclose water-repellent coating treatment details either, making this a category-wide transparency gap rather than a Puma-specific weakness. Natural leather gloves avoid synthetic coatings but sacrifice durability and water resistance. Gloves marketed as 'PFAS-free' or certified by bluesign/OEKO-TEX remain rare in mainstream golf retail.
If you buy it
Store the glove in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight, which can degrade polyurethane faster and potentially stress any surface coatings. Hand-wash only; machine washing or high heat can compromise both the synthetic leather and water-resistant finish. Replace when the palm surface shows cracking, loss of grip texture, or water no longer beads off, as these signal coating breakdown. Avoid extended contact with solvents or harsh detergents, which can strip the water-repellent coating layer prematurely.
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 or dye fixatives
No formaldehyde releases have been documented for this specific Puma model or PU golf glove line. Modern polyurethane microfiber typically does not require formaldehyde-based tanning, but older or budget synthetic leather can contain residual formaldehydes. No recall or test data on record for this product.
Azo dyes (allergenic and carcinogenic potential)
Puma is not known to have failed azo dye testing, and synthetic leather golf gloves are typically dyed at controlled facilities. No specific azo dye violations or complaints associated with this model are documented in public safety databases.
Polyurethane degradation and microplastic shedding
Over years of use, polyurethane can break down physically, especially if exposed to heat, UV, or mechanical stress. This may shed microscopic particles, though the degree of migration into skin contact is not quantified for this glove. Normal hand-wear is unlikely to trigger rapid degradation, but extended storage in hot conditions accelerates this process.
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating composition and leaching
The water-resistant treatment on synthetic golf gloves historically relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS), though newer non-fluorinated alternatives are increasingly available. Puma has not disclosed which formulation is used in this model; skin contact during wear is likely minimal but cannot be ruled out if coating is damaged or flakes.
Fragrance or dyes triggering contact dermatitis in sensitive users
No dermatological complaints or allergic incident reports specific to this Puma glove are on record. However, individuals with sensitive skin or a history of contact dermatitis should test the glove on a small area first, as synthetic leather dyes and finishes can occasionally trigger reactions.
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.