Titleist · Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
Titleist Perma Soft Golf Glove
Golf glove with probable water-resistant treatment; PFAS status undisclosed.
Titleist's Perma Soft glove likely uses water-repellent coating on leather. Brand provides no PFAS disclosure or testing data, leaving composition unclear.
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 with synthetic backing, likely water-repellent coating 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
Titleist Perma Soft uses genuine leather (likely goat or sheepskin) as the primary material, which is inherently low-toxicity and breathable. The synthetic backing, typically polyester or nylon, provides structure and durability. The critical unknown is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the leather surface; most golf gloves use fluorocarbon-based treatments (potentially PFAS-containing) or wax-based alternatives, but Titleist has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they employ.
The brand's record and disclosure
Titleist (owned by Acushnet) does not publish detailed material safety or PFAS disclosure statements for apparel products. No major recalls or safety controversies specific to Perma Soft gloves have been documented in public records. The brand's silence on water-repellent coating treatment chemistry is typical of the golf industry but leaves consumers without confirmation of PFAS avoidance or use.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves typically use leather combined with synthetic backing and water-resistant treatments. Perma Soft is mid-to-premium tier; competitors like Callaway and FootJoy face identical transparency gaps on water-repellent coating chemistry. Wool-blend or untreated leather gloves exist as lower-chemical alternatives but sacrifice water resistance and durability that golfers often prioritize.
If you buy it
Wash gloves by hand in cool water with mild soap; avoid hot water or machine washing, which can degrade both leather and backing integrity. Store in a ventilated area to prevent mold growth in the leather. Replace when the grip surface becomes slippery or leather shows cracks; worn coatings cannot be safely re-applied at home. If PFAS content is a priority, contact Titleist directly to request water-repellent coating specification or consider untreated leather alternatives.
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
Golf gloves commonly receive fluorocarbon-based water-repellent coating finishes that may contain PFAS. Titleist has not disclosed whether Perma Soft uses fluorocarbon, fluorine-free, or wax-based water-repellent coating; this is the primary unresolved hazard for this product.
Leather tanning residues
No specific contamination reports for Titleist Perma Soft. Modern tanneries in developed regions typically use chrome or vegetable tanning with regulated heavy metal limits, though full supply-chain transparency is rare in golf products.
Synthetic backing (polyester/nylon) degradation
Synthetic backings can shed microfibers with repeated handling and washing, particularly if the material is thin or damaged. This is a minor exposure for a glove (not a textured garment) but relevant with frequent use and washing.
Adhesives and lamination compounds
Leather-to-synthetic bonding may use polyurethane or rubber-based adhesives; no hazardous off-gassing reports exist for Titleist gloves, and the small surface area limits exposure risk compared to larger apparel or footwear.
Mold and bacterial growth if stored wet
Leather naturally wicks moisture and can harbor mold if not dried promptly after use in humid climates. This is a maintenance issue rather than a manufacturing hazard but is relevant to safe ownership.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 55% 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.