PFAS has been coming up a lot lately, and I get why parents are asking about it.

We check what goes into lunchboxes, drink bottles, sunscreen and clothes, but shoes do not always get the same level of attention.

They should, though.

Kids wear them for hours at daycare, kinder, the playground and everywhere in between.

When we designed the Rafferty’s Barefoot 1 Sneaker, the materials were part of the conversation from the start.

We wanted shoes that made sense for growing feet, and that also meant being careful about what we chose to leave out.

One of those things is PFAS.

What are PFAS?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It is a long name for a very large group of manufactured chemicals.

They have been used in all kinds of products because they can help resist water, oil, grease and stains.

The US Environmental Protection Agency explains that many PFAS break down very slowly, which is why they are often called “forever chemicals”.

That is the main issue.

PFAS can persist in the environment and may build up in people and animals over time. 

The EPA notes that PFAS have been found in water, air, fish, soil and consumer products, which is why regulators, scientists and health agencies are paying much closer attention to them.

Why would PFAS be used in shoes?

PFAS are commonly linked with stain-resistant, water-resistant or grease-resistant finishes.

In shoes, they may show up in treated textiles, coated uppers, waterproof finishes, stain-repellent treatments or after-market sprays.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry lists water-repellent clothing and stain-resistant fabrics among common PFAS uses, and shoes can use similar types of material treatments.

This does not mean every kids’ shoe contains PFAS.

It also does not mean shoes are the biggest PFAS exposure source for most families.

Drinking water, food, dust and food packaging often come up more in public health guidance.

But shoes still belong in the conversation, especially when they are worn every day.

If a kids’ shoe can be made without intentionally added PFAS, that is the better choice in our view.

Are PFAS in kids’ shoes something to panic about?

No. Panic is not useful, and parents already get enough of that from the internet.

The stronger evidence on PFAS is about the chemical family as a whole, not specifically about one pair of children’s shoes. Exposure can come from different places, including water, food, dust and treated consumer products.

The ATSDR explains that PFAS exposure has been linked with some health concerns, including effects on cholesterol, immune response, liver enzymes and some developmental outcomes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has also classified PFOA as carcinogenic to humans and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

That is serious, but it needs to be talked about carefully.

A single pair of shoes is not the whole story. The more sensible question is whether we can reduce unnecessary exposure where the choice is available. With children’s products, that feels like a very reasonable standard.

What should parents look for in kids’ shoes?

You do not need to become a materials expert before buying a pair of shoes.

A few practical questions are enough:

• Does the brand say no intentionally added PFAS?

• Are there claims like water-repellent, stain-resistant, weatherproof or protector-treated?

• Has the brand explained how the shoe is treated or finished?

• Are the shoes easy to clean because of the material itself, rather than a mystery coating?

• Can the brand back up its material claims?

The EPA recommends practical ways to reduce PFAS exposure, including paying attention to water, food packaging, dust and consumer products.

That is the approach we like: make better choices where you can, without making parents feel like they need to overhaul their entire life by Friday.

Why Rafferty’s chooses no intentionally added PFAS

Rafferty’s was built because children’s shoes were not making enough sense to us.

So many shoes looked cute, but the shape was narrow. The soles were stiff. The materials were vague. The claims sounded nice, but it was hard to know what they actually meant.

We wanted to do things differently.

Our shoes are made without intentionally added PFAS, using vegan materials chosen with care. We also focus on the parts of shoe design that affect how kids move: a wide toe box, a flexible sole, a zero-drop base and a secure fit.

The material choice matters, but so does the shape. A shoe can be free from certain chemicals and still be stiff, narrow or uncomfortable. We care about both sides of the problem.

If you want to read more about the movement side of our design, our Why Barefoot page explains why we focus on toe space, flexibility and shoes that work with growing feet.

What this means for everyday parents

For most families, PFAS is not going to be solved through one purchase. It is bigger than that.

But everyday choices still matter.

If you are already choosing lower-tox products, checking materials, avoiding unnecessary sprays and asking better questions, shoes are worth adding to that list. Especially the shoes your child wears most often.

A few good questions to ask before buying:

• Were PFAS intentionally added?

• What makes the shoe water-resistant or easy to clean?

• Are the materials clearly explained?

• Does the shoe also fit the way growing feet need it to fit?

That last question matters too. Chemical claims should not distract from basic foot function. Kids still need shoes that let their toes spread, bend and move.

The bottom line

PFAS are worth understanding, especially in products made for children.

That does not mean parents need to panic. It means brands should be clearer, and parents should be able to ask simple questions without getting buried in vague answers.

For kids’ shoes, we think the better choice is clear: thoughtful materials, no intentionally added PFAS, a wide toe box, a flexible sole and a design that actually suits growing feet.

If you are looking for shoes made with everyday movement and considered materials in mind, you can shop kids barefoot shoes designed for little feet that are still growing, learning and getting into absolutely everything.