Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage, ranked by PFAS safety

24 products graded A to F, safest first. 2 earn a C or better and are worth buying.

Buyer’s guide

What to look for in waterproof outdoor gear storage, and which brands grade best and worst

Read →

Bad · Better · Best waterproof outdoor gear storage

The quickest read: what to skip and the top-graded picks worth buying instead.

AvoidF
Wise 7.75" x 13" x 7.5" Locking Utility Dry Box 56041-15 Alert Orange

Wise

Wise 7.75" x 13" x 7.5" Locking Utility Dry Box 56041-15 Alert Orange

40/100 safety

Plastic utility box; PFAS risk from waterproofing unknown.

BetterB
YETI LoadOut 15 GoBox

Coleman

YETI LoadOut 15 GoBox

85/100 safety

Lower concern. Hard plastic cooler with no known PFAS-linked coatings.

Best pickB
Coleman Chiller Cooler

Coleman

Coleman Chiller Cooler

85/100 safety

Lower concern cooler. No known PFAS-treated materials typical.

Worth buying graded C or better, safest first

Coleman Chiller Cooler

Coleman

Chiller Cooler

Plastic (polypropylene) cooler body, foam insulation

B
C
PFASAll
B · Low PFAS3 flags

Lower concern cooler. No known PFAS-treated materials typical.

Brand says nothing about PFAS

YETI LoadOut 15 GoBox

Coleman

YETI LoadOut 15 GoBox

Rotomolded polyethylene plastic

B
D
PFASAll
B · Low PFAS3 flags

Lower concern. Hard plastic cooler with no known PFAS-linked coatings.

Brand says nothing about PFAS

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

Ezy Storage 5.28 Gallon Small Gasket Tote, Ip68 WaterProof Plastic Storage Bin with Lid, Gasket Seal and Durable Latches

Coleman

Ezy Storage 5.28 Gallon Small Gasket Tote, Ip68 WaterProof Plastic Storage Bin with Lid, Gasket Seal and Durable Latches

Polypropylene plastic with waterproof gasket seal, coating unspecified

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Waterproof plastic storage; PFAS coating risk unclear, no disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Coleman Container Watertight

Coleman

Container Watertight

Plastic container with waterproof/airtight seal coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS4 flags

Uncertain. Coleman discloses nothing about PFAS in waterproof coating.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Coleman 52 Quart Hard Cooler

Coleman

52 Quart Hard Cooler

Rotomolded polyethylene with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Lower concern but waterproofing treatment not disclosed.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Coleman Snap N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler

Coleman

Snap N Go Collapsible Hard Cooler

Polyethylene plastic exterior, likely waterproof-treated

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS4 flags

Moderate concern. Plastic coolers often use water-repellent coating coatings; Coleman discloses nothing.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Coleman Dry Gear Bag

Coleman

Dry Gear Bag

Nylon fabric with waterproof coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS5 flags

Dry bags typically use water-repellent coating coatings; Coleman silent on PFAS details.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The Container Store Case of 6 Weathertight Tote Clear 10065387

Coleman

The Container Store Case of 6 Weathertight Tote Clear 10065387

Polypropylene with waterproof treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS4 flags

Waterproof tote likely uses water-repellent coating, PFAS risk unconfirmed.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Black Hole Cube 6L Patagonia

Patagonia

Black Hole Cube 6L Patagonia

Ripstop nylon with water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS4 flags

Patagonia silent on PFAS; water-repellent coating likely contains fluorochemicals.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Patagonia Black Hole Cube 3L

Patagonia

Black Hole Cube 3L

Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Waterproof pack likely treated with PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Black Hole Cube 14L Patagonia

Patagonia

Black Hole Cube 14L Patagonia

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

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS4 flags

Likely water-repellent coating-treated; Patagonia silent on PFAS composition specifics.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Patagonia Black Hole MLC Cube

Patagonia

Black Hole MLC Cube

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

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

water-repellent coating-treated pack; Patagonia avoids PFAS but not explicitly verified here.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Patagonia Black Hole Cube 6L - Aqua Stone

Patagonia

Black Hole Cube 6L - Aqua Stone

Nylon-faced ripstop with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F · High PFAS

Durable packing cube, water-repellent coating raises questions.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Patagonia Black Hole 25L Tote

Patagonia

Black Hole 25L Tote

Recycled nylon with water-repellent coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Popular durable tote, but water-repellent coating origin unclear; lower concern than hardgoods.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Patagonia Stealth Switch Fishing Pack

Patagonia

Stealth Switch Fishing Pack

Nylon and polyester with water-repellent coating water-resistant finish

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Fishing pack likely has water-repellent coating; Patagonia does not disclose PFAS status.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Patagonia Guidewater Hip Pack

Patagonia

Guidewater Hip Pack

Nylon with water-repellent coating treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

water-repellent coating-treated gear, PFAS status unclear; Patagonia silent on PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Wise Tall Utility Dry Box

Wise

Tall Utility Dry Box

Plastic or polymer storage box with waterproof gasket/seal

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Dry storage boxes typically use waterproof seals; brand discloses nothing about PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Wise Small Utility Dry Box

Wise

Small Utility Dry Box

plastic storage box, likely polycarbonate or polyethylene with waterproof treatment

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS4 flags

Dry box likely water-resistant; PFAS status undisclosed by brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Wise Large Utility Dry Box

Wise

Large Utility Dry Box

Rotomolded polyethylene with waterproof treatment

F
F · High PFAS

Dry box likely uses waterproofing; brand silent on PFAS composition.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Wise Boaters Dry Box 5602-13

Wise

Boaters Dry Box 5602-13

Polyethylene or polypropylene plastic with waterproof coating

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Dry box likely lower concern, but waterproof coating not disclosed.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Wise Outdoors Small Utility Dry Box 5601-40

Wise

Outdoors Small Utility Dry Box 5601-40

Plastic dry box with waterproofing sealant

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Unclear PFAS use; waterproof boxes often contain water-repellent coating coatings.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Wise 5601-13 Boaters Dry Box Small

Wise

5601-13 Boaters Dry Box Small

Rotomolded polyethylene with waterproof sealing

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Lower concern but verify waterproof sealant composition with brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Brightroom 20gal Heavy Duty Waterproof Storage Tote

Wise

Brightroom 20gal Heavy Duty Waterproof Storage Tote

Polypropylene tote with waterproof coating, composition unspecified

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS3 flags

Skip until brand discloses waterproof coating chemistry

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Wise 7.75" x 13" x 7.5" Locking Utility Dry Box 56041-15 Alert Orange

Wise

7.75" x 13" x 7.5" Locking Utility Dry Box 56041-15 Alert Orange

Plastic (rotomolded polyethylene) with waterproof seals

F
F
PFASAll
F · High PFAS2 flags

Plastic utility box; PFAS risk from waterproofing unknown.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

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