Titleist · Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
Titleist Perma-Soft Women's Golf Glove
Golf glove likely uses water-repellent coating; PFAS status unclear from brand.
Titleist does not disclose PFAS or water-repellent coating chemistry for this glove. Leather/synthetic golf gloves commonly receive water-resistant treatments that may contain PFAS, but no public evidence confirms it for this model.
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 and synthetic leather with 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 combines leather (traditionally tanned animal hide) with synthetic leather components and a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. The water-repellent coating is the primary chemical concern: most golf glove water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on long-chain PFAS compounds, though some brands have shifted to fluorine-free alternatives. Leather itself carries minimal toxicity when properly tanned, but the synthetic overlay and finish chemistry determine overall safety profile. No public specification from Titleist clarifies which water-repellent coating chemistry (fluorinated, fluorine-free, or hybrid) is used in this model.
The brand's record and disclosure
Titleist (owned by Acushnet Holdings) has not published detailed chemical disclosures or PFAS phase-out commitments comparable to major outdoor apparel brands. The company does not list certifications like Bluesign, OEKO-TEX, or SDS availability for consumer products. No recalls or public safety controversies specific to Titleist gloves are on record. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry and treatment sources is typical of golf equipment makers but leaves consumers unable to verify safer alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves as a category receive minimal regulatory scrutiny because they are worn briefly and on the outer hand only, limiting skin contact duration compared to base layers or undergarments. Most competitors (Callaway, TaylorMade, FootJoy) similarly do not disclose water-repellent coating formulations. Leather-dominant gloves generally carry lower microplastic and synthetic chemical risk than fully synthetic alternatives, but the water-repellent coating finish is a universal trade-off across premium models. Perma-Soft sits in the mid-premium segment; budget gloves often skip water-repellent coating entirely while tour-level gloves use identical finish technologies.
If you buy it
Store gloves in a cool, dry place away from direct heat sources; do not machine wash or bleach, as this degrades both leather and water-repellent coating prematurely. Hand wash with mild soap and air dry, which extends the glove life and reduces need for re-treatment. Avoid prolonged skin contact on hot days or during heavy sweat (moisture + heat can accelerate synthetic layer degradation). Replace when grip wears thin or water-repellent coating visibly beads poorly, typically after 1-2 seasons of regular play.
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-repellent coating (fluorinated water repellent)
Golf glove water-repellent coating finishes commonly used long-chain PFAS historically. Titleist does not disclose formulation; migration risk to skin is low during normal short-duration wear but accumulates across many products.
Leather tanning residues and chromium
No reported issues with Titleist Perma-Soft. Vegetable and chrome tanning processes used in quality glove leather pose minimal skin risk if properly finished; contamination is rare in premium brands.
Synthetic layer degradation and microplastics
Synthetic leather backing may shed microparticles if abrasion-damaged or exposed to heat. Risk is low during normal golf use but increases with machine washing or aggressive sport exposure.
Allergic contact dermatitis from tanning agents or finishes
Individual sensitivity to tannins, dyes, or water-repellent coating chemistry varies; isolated cases of glove-related skin irritation exist across all brands. Pre-test fit and watch for rash during first few uses.
water-repellent coating degradation over time
Perma-Soft water-repellent coating finish naturally wears with sweat, friction, and washing; water beading declines after 1-2 seasons, signaling need for replacement rather than re-treatment (which introduces additional chemical exposure).
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 50% 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.