Hydro Trail 17 Backpack vs Carrying Case: which is safer?
Garmin Carrying Case is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
ALPS Mountaineering
Hydro Trail 17 Backpack
PFAS grade
F 20/100
Overall grade
F 12/100
Verdict
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Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating treatment
Confidence
35%
PossiblePFAS in water-repellent coating
PossibleMicroplastics from fabric shedding
Our pick
Garmin
Carrying Case
PFAS grade
D 65/100
Overall grade
F 53/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Neoprene or polyester case, material unspecified
Confidence
45%
PossibleVolatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing
PossibleAzo dyes or color-fastness agents
PossibleWater-repellent coating (non-PFAS or PFAS unknown)
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More waterproof sports bags: see the full ranking