Asher 55 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.
Kelty
Asher 55 Backpack
PFAS grade
F 20/100
Overall grade
F 0/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating finish
Confidence
45%
Likelywater-repellent coating finish PFAS content (fluorinated compounds)
PossibleAntimony in polyester zippers and hardware trim
Possiblewater-repellent coating degradation and reapplication chemicals
Our pick
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