Waterproofing Company · Stain-Resistant Footwear
Granger's Footwear Repel Plus
Waterproof footwear repellent. Brand silent on PFAS composition.
Granger's Footwear Repel Plus is a water-repellent coating treatment product for boots and shoes. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS presence or absence, creating uncertainty typical of legacy waterproofing products.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Waterproof treatment on footwear
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
Granger's Footwear Repel Plus is a liquid waterproofing treatment applied to fabric and leather uppers, not the footwear itself. Waterproof treatments traditionally rely on fluorochemical durable water repellents (DWRs) to create a water-shedding barrier. The brand has not publicly disclosed whether this product uses PFAS-based or PFAS-free chemistry, which is the primary concern for this category. Application involves saturation of the shoe exterior, so any volatile or leachable components may off-gas during or after treatment.
The brand's record and disclosure
Granger's is a UK-based footwear care brand owned by SC Johnson. The company has not made a public commitment to PFAS-free formulations or disclosed detailed ingredient lists for Repel Plus. No major safety recalls or confirmed contamination incidents are on record for this specific product. However, the absence of transparency on PFAS status is notable given that major competitors (Nikwax, Crep Protect) have begun offering PFAS-free alternatives and communicating that shift.
How it compares in its category
Most waterproof footwear treatments in this price range still use PFAS-based DWRs, so Repel Plus is not atypical in that respect. However, it lags behind emerging market leaders in transparency. Comparable products like Nikwax TX.Direct offer PFAS-free certification; Granger's has made no such claim. For budget-conscious users, Repel Plus is competitively priced, but the lack of ingredient disclosure makes it harder to assess relative safety against alternatives.
If you buy it
Apply outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces to minimize inhalation of spray or fumes. Follow label drying time before wearing treated shoes. Avoid applying near skin or eyes. If you use this product regularly or have PFAS exposure concerns, contact Granger's directly to request PFAS status and consider switching to a brand with explicit PFAS-free certification. Reapply as directed on the label, typically annually or after heavy washing.
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
Waterproof treatments in this product class commonly use PFAS-based DWRs; Granger's silence on composition and low PFAS grade (20/100) suggest use is probable but unconfirmed. PFAS can accumulate in the body and environment.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) / inhalation during application
Spray-applied treatments typically contain solvents that off-gas during drying. No specific VOC profile published by brand. Indoor application without ventilation could concentrate exposure.
Azo dyes or other reactive chemicals in treated substrate
This product is a treatment applied to existing footwear rather than a dyed fabric itself. Hazard depends on the shoe's original manufacture, not this treatment. No azo dye or formaldehyde issues specific to Repel Plus are documented.
Coating degradation and re-application frequency
If the waterproof layer degrades or chips, micro-scale release of coating particles is possible with wear. Frequent reapplication increases cumulative exposure to any volatile or persistent components in the formula.
Skin or eye contact during application
Spray application carries risk of mist or splash contact. Label safety warnings are typical, but specific irritancy data for Repel Plus are not publicly available. Wear gloves and eye protection during use as a precaution.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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 Stain-Resistant Footwear
Merrell
Leather Lotion 4.0 oz
Leather conditioning lotion, composition unspecified
Limited transparency. No PFAS disclosure from Merrell.
⚠Risky category by default
Gecko
Angelus Reptile & Exotic Skin Cream and Conditioner
Leather conditioner and cream product
Topical cream with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Gecko
Vaccari Boots Reptile Boot Cleaner
Cleaning product for reptile leather boots
No PFAS info available. Contact brand before purchase.
⚠Risky category by default
More stain-resistant footwear 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.