Waterproof Outdoor Bags, ranked by PFAS safety

42 products graded A to F, safest first. None have earned a C or better yet, so we show the full ranking and the least-concerning options first.

Graded and flagged D and F, we’d swap these

Granite Gear Wrought Iron Food Pack

Granite Gear

Wrought Iron Food Pack

nylon fabric pack, likely uncoated or minimally treated

D
F
PFASAll
D · Elevated2 flags

Food pack likely lower concern; confirm no water-repellent coating with brand.

Risky category by default

Osprey Dry Sack 3L w/Window

Osprey

Dry Sack 3L w/Window

nylon fabric with water-repellent coating, window unclear

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Skip until Osprey discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Granite Gear Traditional 3.5 Portage Pack

Granite Gear

Traditional 3.5 Portage Pack

nylon pack fabric with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Likely lower concern, but water-repellent coating treatment source unconfirmed by brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Granite Gear Superior One Portage Pack

Granite Gear

Superior One Portage Pack

Nylon pack fabric with water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS1 flag

Pack has water-repellent coating treatment; PFAS status unclear from brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Granite Gear Dagger

Granite Gear

Dagger

Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS1 flag

Outdoor apparel likely has water-repellent coating treatment; brand silent on PFAS composition.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Granite Gear Crown 3 Eco Backpack

Granite Gear

Crown 3 Eco Backpack

nylon fabric with water-repellent coating water treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS1 flag

water-repellent coating backpack, likely PFAS-treated but unconfirmed by brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Granite Gear Crown 3 60L Backpack

Granite Gear

Crown 3 60L Backpack

nylon fabric with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Granite Gear does not disclose PFAS status; water-repellent coating risk unclear.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Granite Gear SCurry 24L Backpack

Granite Gear

SCurry 24L Backpack

Nylon with water-repellent coating water-resistant treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Typical outdoor pack; water-repellent coating likely contains PFAS, brand silent on it.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Granite Gear Perimeter 35 Backpack

Granite Gear

Perimeter 35 Backpack

nylon with water-repellent coating finish, unknown type

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

water-repellent coating treatment type unclear; Granite Gear does not disclose PFAS status.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Patagonia Terravia Pack 14L

Patagonia

Terravia Pack 14L

recycled nylon with water-repellent coating finish

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Durable pack, but PFAS waterproofing status unclear.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Women's Borealis Luxe Backpack

The North Face

Women's Borealis Luxe Backpack

Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Backpack likely treated with water-repellent coating, PFAS risk unconfirmed.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Borealis Backpack

The North Face

Borealis Backpack

nylon with water-repellent coating finish

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

water-repellent coating-coated backpack, PFAS risk likely, no disclosure from brand

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Women's Borealis Backpack

The North Face

Women's Borealis Backpack

nylon with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS1 flag

Typical water-repellent coating backpack; PFAS risk unconfirmed, no brand transparency.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Dana Design Arclight Glacier Backpack

Dana Design

Arclight Glacier Backpack

Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS1 flag

Backpack likely has water-repellent coating; Dana Design discloses nothing about PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Dakine Mission Surf 30L Backpack

Dana Design

Dakine Mission Surf 30L Backpack

nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS1 flag

Likely water-repellent coating-treated nylon; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Dry Pocket Waterproof Floating Backpack Dry Bag

Dana Design

Dry Pocket Waterproof Floating Backpack Dry Bag

Nylon or polyester fabric with waterproof coating, unspecified water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Waterproof dry bags typically use water-repellent coating coatings; unknown composition raises concern.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Dana Design Glacier Black 5000 Cu In Internal Frame Backpack Black

Dana Design

Glacier Black 5000 Cu In Internal Frame Backpack Black

Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Backpack likely has water-repellent coating; PFAS status undisclosed by Dana Design.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Dakine Mission Surf Wet/Dry Backpack

Dana Design

Dakine Mission Surf Wet/Dry Backpack

polyester/nylon with water-repellent coating, unspecified

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Waterproof backpack with unspecified water-repellent coating treatment.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Dakine Cyclone DLX Dry Backpack

Dana Design

Dakine Cyclone DLX Dry Backpack

Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Waterproof backpack; water-repellent coating treatment typical concern, brand silent on PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Packable Wet/Dry Rolltop Backpack

Dana Design

Packable Wet/Dry Rolltop Backpack

Rolltop fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Skip until Dana Design discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or certification.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Dane Ikast 2 Motorcycle Backpack

Dana Design

Dane Ikast 2 Motorcycle Backpack

Nylon/polyester with waterproof coating (type unspecified)

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Waterproof backpack with no PFAS disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

L.L.Bean Stowaway Waterproof Day Backpack

LL.Bean

L.L.Bean Stowaway Waterproof Day Backpack

nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating (composition unspecified)

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Waterproof backpack with unspecified water-repellent coating treatment; PFAS risk unclear.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

L.L.Bean Deluxe Book Pack Backpack

LL.Bean

L.L.Bean Deluxe Book Pack Backpack

ballistic nylon, polyester with water-resistant treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Unknown water-repellent coating treatment; LL.Bean silent on PFAS disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

L.L.Bean Waterproof Switchpack

LL.Bean

L.L.Bean Waterproof Switchpack

Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Unknown water-repellent coating treatment.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

L.L.Bean Bean's Explorer Backpack

LL.Bean

L.L.Bean Bean's Explorer Backpack

nylon/polyester fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Common backpack; water-repellent coating finish likely contains PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

L.L.Bean Original Backpack

LL.Bean

L.L.Bean Original Backpack

Canvas with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Likely contains PFAS water-repellent coating treatment; no disclosure from brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

L.L.Bean Super Deluxe Backpack

LL.Bean

L.L.Bean Super Deluxe Backpack

nylon and polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

No PFAS disclosure; water-repellent coating backpacks often use PFAS treatments.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

L.L.Bean Original Book Pack Backpack

LL.Bean

L.L.Bean Original Book Pack Backpack

Ballistic nylon with water-resistant treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Popular backpack; water treatment composition unclear, no PFAS disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Salomon Trailblazer 10

Salomon

Trailblazer 10

Nylon backpack with water-repellent coating-treated fabric

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Outdoor pack with water-repellent coating; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Rover Pack Mini Topo Designs

Topo Designs

Rover Pack Mini Topo Designs

Nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Durable outdoor pack, water-repellent coating treatment source unclear.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Topo Designs Rover Pack

Topo Designs

Rover Pack

Ballistic nylon, canvas, and cotton blend with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

water-repellent coating-treated backpack; PFAS status unclear, contact brand for specifics.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Topo Designs Session Pack

Topo Designs

Session Pack

nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS4 flags

Unknown water-repellent coating treatment; brand silent on PFAS composition.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Big River Dry Backpack

Sea to Summit

Big River Dry Backpack

Polyester ripstop with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

water-repellent coating unknown; Sea to Summit does not disclose PFAS status.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Ultra-Sil Daypack - Atoll Blue

Sea to Summit

Ultra-Sil Daypack - Atoll Blue

Silicone-coated fabric (likely water-repellent coating treatment)

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Silicone daypack; PFAS risk unclear without material disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Salomon Trailblazer 20

Salomon

Trailblazer 20

Polyester with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Backpack likely treated; Salomon discloses nothing on PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

L.L.Bean Deluxe Backpack

LL.Bean

L.L.Bean Deluxe Backpack

nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water-resistant coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Standard backpack with water-repellent coating, PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Arc'teryx Alpha FL 30 Backpack

Arc'teryx

Alpha FL 30 Backpack

Nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

water-repellent coating-treated pack; PFAS risk likely but unconfirmed by Arc'teryx.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Columbia 3 Pc Dry Bag Set - New Sports & outdoors

Columbia

3 Pc Dry Bag Set - New Sports & outdoors

Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Skip until Columbia discloses waterproofing chemistry.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Columbia Convey III 27L Backpack

Columbia

Convey III 27L Backpack

Ripstop nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

water-repellent coating raises PFAS concern; Columbia provides no transparency.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Columbia PFG Dry Bag Roll Top Waterproof Gear Sack Navy Blue Kayak Hiking Gear

Columbia

PFG Dry Bag Roll Top Waterproof Gear Sack Navy Blue Kayak Hiking Gear

Polyester fabric with waterproof water-repellent coating (unspecified)

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS5 flags

Waterproof coating type unknown; high PFAS risk likely.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

RGD 40L Vertipack Xtreme Airtight/Submersible Backpack

Columbia

RGD 40L Vertipack Xtreme Airtight/Submersible Backpack

Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating waterproof coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Airtight/submersible backpack likely uses water-repellent coating treatment; coating type unspecified by brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Columbia Trail Traveler Ii Backpack

Columbia

Trail Traveler Ii Backpack

Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

water-repellent coating treatment suggests PFAS risk; Columbia provides no disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

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