Distance 15 Backpack vs Refugio Day Pack 26L: which is safer?

Patagonia Refugio Day Pack 26L is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Black Diamond Distance 15 Backpack

Black Diamond

Distance 15 Backpack

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 12/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 2

Material

Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating

Confidence

45%

PossiblePFAS in water-repellent coating

PossibleCoating degradation and particulate shedding

Our pick

Patagonia Refugio Day Pack 26L

Patagonia

Refugio Day Pack 26L

PFAS grade

F 45/100

Overall grade

analysis pending

Verdict

pending

Hazard flags

none flagged

Material

recycled nylon with non-fluorinated water-repellent coating treatment

Confidence

72%

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 gear: see the full ranking