Waterproof Outdoor Gear, ranked by PFAS safety
15 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.
Buyer’s guide
What to look for in waterproof outdoor gear, and which brands grade best and worst
Graded and flagged D and F, we’d swap these
Patagonia
Refugio Day Pack 26L
recycled nylon with non-fluorinated water-repellent coating treatment
Lower PFAS concern. Patagonia claims non-fluorinated water-repellent coating on this pack.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Guidewater Backpack
recycled polyester, nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
Patagonia silent on water-repellent coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Black Hole Pack 32L Patagonia
nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Skip until Patagonia discloses water-repellent coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Refugio 30L Pack
recycled nylon with water-repellent coating
water-repellent coating backpack; Patagonia does not disclose PFAS status or alternatives.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Stealth 25L Backpack
Nylon with water-repellent coating treatment
Likely has water-repellent coating; PFAS status unclear from Patagonia.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Black Hole Micro MLC
nylon with water-repellent coating finish
Unknown water-repellent coating treatment; Patagonia has not disclosed PFAS status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patagonia
Atom Tote Pack 20L
Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
water-repellent coating likely, but Patagonia does not disclose PFAS status.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
EVOC
Trail Pro 16
nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating treatment
Outdoor pack with likely water-repellent coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
EVOC
Gear Backpack Backpack 60L
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating
Outdoor backpack with waterproof treatment; PFAS risk unclear from available info.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
EVOC
Trail Pro 10
Polyamide fabric with water-repellent coating treatment
Skip until EVOC discloses water-repellent coating chemistry publicly.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
EVOC
Neo Protector Backpack
Nylon with water-repellent coating-treated fabric coating
EVOC silent on PFAS; water-repellent coating risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
EVOC
Stage 12 Backpack
Nylon and polyester with water-repellent coating
Typical outdoor pack with waterproof coating; PFAS status unclear.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
EVOC
Ride 12L Backpack
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
Backpack likely has water-repellent coating treatment; EVOC provides no PFAS disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
EVOC
Joyride 4
polyester with water-repellent coating treatment
PFAS risk unclear; no disclosure from brand on treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
EVOC
FR Trail Blackline Protector Backpack
Nylon/polyester with water-resistant coating
Outdoor backpack with water-repellent coating treatment; PFAS risk unconfirmed by brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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