PFAS have been getting a lot more attention lately, and it is understandable that parents have questions.

We check labels on lunchboxes, drink bottles, sunscreen and clothes, but shoes are another product kids can spend hours wearing every day.

So what exactly are PFAS, why might they show up in footwear, and what do claims such as “PFAS-free” or “no intentionally added PFAS” actually mean?

Here is the practical version, without the panic.

What are PFAS?

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

According to the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, PFAS have been used in a wide range of industrial and consumer applications because some of them are effective at resisting heat, stains, grease and water.

You may also hear PFAS described as “forever chemicals”.

That name comes from the fact that some of the PFAS of greatest concern are highly persistent and do not break down easily in the environment.

PFAS is not one single chemical. The group includes thousands of different substances, and they do not all have exactly the same uses, properties or evidence behind them.

Why might PFAS be used in shoes?

PFAS can be useful in products where manufacturers want resistance to things like water, oil, grease or stains.

The Australian Industrial Chemicals Introduction Scheme notes that some imported articles, including textiles, may have been treated with PFAS.

For footwear, that means PFAS could potentially be associated with things such as:

• water-resistant treatments
• stain-resistant finishes
• treated textiles
• surface coatings
• after-market waterproofing or protector sprays

That does not mean every shoe with one of those features contains PFAS.

It simply explains why PFAS sometimes come up when people talk about treated fabrics and footwear materials.

Does water-resistant mean a shoe contains PFAS?

No.

A water-resistant, stain-resistant or easy-to-clean shoe should not automatically be assumed to contain PFAS.

Those properties can be achieved using different materials, finishes and construction methods.

At the same time, research on consumer products has found PFAS in some products marketed for water or stain resistance, particularly treated textiles. For example, one study of products used by children and adolescents found that products marketed as water- or stain-resistant were more likely to contain detectable fluorine or targeted PFAS than products without those claims.

You can read the peer-reviewed study here.

The important point is not to assume either way.

If PFAS are something you want to avoid, the better question is:

Has the brand explained what is used, whether PFAS are intentionally added, and whether any testing has been carried out?

Should parents worry about PFAS in kids’ shoes?

There is no need to panic over one pair of shoes.

PFAS exposure is a much broader issue than footwear alone.

People can be exposed to PFAS from several sources, including food, drinking water, dust and consumer products.

Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council notes that the evidence on PFAS and human health is complex. Research has reported associations between exposure to certain PFAS and some health effects, but the strength and certainty of that evidence varies depending on the chemical, exposure level and health outcome being studied.

The Australian Government therefore takes a precautionary approach and recommends minimising unnecessary PFAS exposure where reasonably possible.

That is the approach that makes the most sense to us too.

You do not need to overhaul everything your family owns. But where a product can be made without intentionally adding PFAS, it is reasonable to prefer that option.

What do PFAS claims actually mean?

This is where the wording can get confusing.

“No intentionally added PFAS”

This generally means PFAS have not been deliberately added to the product or materials as part of the manufacturing specification.

It is a statement about what the product is designed and made with.

“Tested for PFAS”

This means a product or material has undergone laboratory analysis for PFAS.

But testing methods matter.

PFAS is a very broad chemical family, and different analytical methods can look for different compounds or different forms of fluorine.

Research comparing analytical approaches in consumer products has shown that targeted tests and broader fluorine-based methods can provide different information about what is present in a material.

That is why a test result should always be understood in the context of what was tested and how it was tested.

If you are interested in the analytical side, this peer-reviewed study comparing targeted and broader PFAS analysis methods explains why different approaches can produce different pictures of PFAS content.

“PFAS-free”

This is the broadest wording of the three.

Because PFAS includes such a large number of chemicals, we think it is more useful for brands to explain what they actually mean rather than relying on a broad claim without context.

For parents, specific information such as “no intentionally added PFAS” and whether independent testing has been carried out is generally more informative than a vague “chemical-free” statement.

What is Rafferty’s approach to PFAS?

Materials were part of the conversation from the beginning when Rafferty’s shoes were being developed.

Our shoes are made without intentionally added PFAS, and our current product specifications state that they are independently tested for PFAS.

We prefer to be specific about that rather than make sweeping claims about being “free from chemicals”.

PFAS is also only one part of the product.

For us, choosing thoughtful materials sits alongside the things that affect how the shoe actually fits and feels on a child’s foot:

• a wide, foot-shaped toe box
• a flexible sole
• zero-drop construction
• easy Velcro fastening
• a built-in growth guide

You can read more about the design behind the shoes on our Why Barefoot page.

If you would like to see the current Rafferty’s range, you can also browse our kids’ barefoot shoes.

What should parents look for when comparing kids’ shoes?

You do not need to become a chemist before buying your child a pair of shoes.

A few practical questions can tell you a lot:

• Does the brand say whether PFAS are intentionally added?
• Does it explain the materials used in the shoe?
• Does it make broad claims such as “toxin-free” without explaining what that means?
• If the product is described as tested, does the brand explain what was tested?
• Are water-resistant or stain-resistant treatments clearly explained?
• Does the shoe also fit your child properly?

That last question is important.

A materials claim does not tell you whether a shoe is the right shape or size for your child.

You still need to check things like toe room, width, heel fit and overall comfort.

For help with that side of shoe shopping, see our guide to how kids’ shoes should fit.

Do parents need to avoid every product that might contain PFAS?

No.

This is not about trying to create a completely PFAS-free household overnight.

PFAS are used across many different industries and products, and exposure can come from multiple sources.

The more realistic approach is to make informed choices where you reasonably can.

That might mean:

• choosing products without intentionally added PFAS when that information is available
• asking brands what their material claims actually mean
• avoiding unnecessary stain- or waterproofing treatments where you do not need them
• looking for clear information rather than vague “non-toxic” marketing

The aim is not perfection.

It is simply better information and fewer unnecessary exposures where practical.

The bottom line

PFAS are a large group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in products because of properties such as resistance to water, grease and stains.

Some treated textiles can contain PFAS, but you cannot tell whether a shoe contains them simply by looking at it or because it is water-resistant.

For parents, the most useful thing a brand can do is be clear about its materials, what is intentionally added and what testing has been carried out.

At Rafferty’s, our shoes are made without intentionally added PFAS and our current product specifications state that they are independently tested for PFAS.

And just as importantly, we look at the whole shoe: materials, fit, toe room, flexibility and how practical it is for everyday kids.

If you would like to explore the current range, you can shop Rafferty’s kids’ barefoot shoes.