Garm Field Bag vs Guidewater Sling: which is safer?

Patagonia Guidewater Sling is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Garmin

Garm Field Bag

PFAS grade

F 20/100

Overall grade

F 0/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Nylon/polyester with water-resistant coating

Confidence

42%

PossiblePFAS in water-repellent coating

PossibleFormaldehyde resins in polyester finishing

PossibleAzo dyes in nylon/polyester fabric

Why this grade

Our pick

Patagonia

Guidewater Sling

PFAS grade

F 45/100

Overall grade

F 19/100

Verdict

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Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

recycled polyester with water-repellent coating finish

Confidence

72%

PossibleAntimony in polyester (catalyst residue)

LikelyMicroplastic shedding (synthetic fiber degradation)

PossibleCoating leachates from water-repellent coating finish (non-PFAS)

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 sports bags: see the full ranking