Index 40 Bouldering Bag vs Chasm Duffel Bag: which is safer?

Arc'teryx Index 40 Bouldering Bag is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

Arc'teryx

Index 40 Bouldering Bag

PFAS grade

F 40/100

Overall grade

F 32/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment

Confidence

45%

Possiblewater-repellent coating unknown chemistry (PFAS risk)

PossibleCoating degradation and microparticle shedding

Why this grade

Thule

Chasm Duffel Bag

PFAS grade

F 40/100

Overall grade

F 14/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Ballistic nylon with water-repellent coating waterproof finish

Confidence

40%

LikelyPFAS in water-repellent coating waterproof treatment

PossibleVolatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing

PossibleMicroplastic shedding from synthetic textile

Why this grade

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 outdoor luggage: see the full ranking