Arc'teryx · Waterproof Outdoor Luggage
Arc'teryx Index 40 Bouldering Bag
Unknown water-repellent coating treatment type; Arc'teryx provides no PFAS disclosure.
Arc'teryx bouldering bags use water-repellent coating-treated nylon for water resistance, but the brand does not publicly specify whether fluorinated or fluorine-free chemistry is used. No third-party testing or certification available.
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Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Index 40 uses nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the exterior. water-repellent coating coatings shed water through chemical treatment, historically PFAS-based but increasingly using PFAS-free alternatives. Arc'teryx does not publicly specify which water-repellent coating chemistry this pack uses. Nylon itself is stable and does not leach harmful chemicals under normal use; the risk concentrates in the coating and any adhesives or dyes used in construction.
The brand's record and disclosure
Arc'teryx is a technically rigorous climbing and outdoor gear brand owned by Salomon/Amer Sports, but it has published no PFAS commitment or material transparency statements for this product line. The company does not list third-party certifications (Bluesign, OEKO-TEX, or similar) for the Index 40. This silence is notable in a category where competitors like Patagonia and The North Face have begun disclosing water-repellent coating chemistry or pledging PFAS phase-outs.
How it compares in its category
Bouldering packs in this capacity (30-40L) typically use nylon with water-repellent coating treatment; the Index 40 is mainstream in material choice. Competitors like Black Diamond and Mad Rock use similar fabrics. Arc'teryx's main advantage is durability and design rather than chemical transparency. Few brands in this segment currently guarantee PFAS-free water-repellent coating, making the Index 40 neither an outlier for risk nor a leader in disclosure.
If you buy it
Clean the exterior with water and mild soap; avoid hot water or machine washing, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially release coating particles. Do not machine dry or expose to prolonged high heat. The water-repellent coating will wear down after 1-2 years of heavy use and can be reapplied with commercial water-repellent coating sprays (check those products' PFAS status separately). Inspect seams and stitching for fraying; the pack's longevity depends on careful care, not chemical hazard management.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
water-repellent coating unknown chemistry (PFAS risk)
Arc'teryx does not disclose whether this pack uses PFAS-based or PFAS-free water-repellent coating. Industry standard for nylon packs has historically relied on PFAS perfluorocarbons; transition to non-PFAS alternatives is ongoing but not universal. No data on leaching or skin contact risk is published.
Nylon dyes and azo compounds
Arc'teryx does not publish dyeing processes or test reports for azo dyes on this pack. Nylon takes dyes well and is not inherently prone to problematic dye release. No recalls or consumer reports of dye toxicity for Arc'teryx packs are on record.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
As water-repellent coating wears (normal over 1-3 years), fine particles may shed into use environment. This is not classified as acute hazard but represents physical wear rather than chemical leaching. Frequency and composition depend on washing practices and coating durability.
Adhesives and flame retardants in webbing/straps
Arc'teryx does not disclose adhesive chemistry or presence of flame retardants in nylon webbing. Standard nylon climbing gear typically avoids brominated flame retardants; no safety incidents are recorded for this product line.
Heavy metals in hardware or dyes
Arc'teryx uses aluminum and steel hardware typical of climbing gear; no cadmium, lead, or antimony testing data is published. No consumer alerts or recalls cite metal leaching from this pack.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
More waterproof outdoor luggage grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.