Black Diamond · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Black Diamond Mission 55 Backpack
Skip due to unknown water-repellent coating treatment; PFAS risk unaddressed.
This backpack uses durable nylon/polyester with water-resistant coating, but Black Diamond does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Most outdoor packs use PFAS-based treatments; verification lacking.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating finish
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 Mission 55 uses nylon and polyester blended fabrics with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings are the primary concern: traditional formulations use perfluorinated compounds (PFAS), but some newer treatments use non-fluorine alternatives. Black Diamond has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry they use on this model. Nylon and polyester themselves are chemically stable during normal use; the risk concentrates on the finish layer.
The brand's record and disclosure
Black Diamond, owned by Clarus Corp, does not maintain a public PFAS transparency commitment or supply-chain disclosure policy comparable to leading outdoor brands. The company has not published statements about phasing fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments. No recalls or regulatory violations related to PFAS or chemical coatings on Black Diamond packs have been documented in public records. The silent stance means water-repellent coating composition remains opaque to consumers.
How it compares in its category
High-capacity hiking packs in the 50L range from major manufacturers increasingly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry: some now use PFC-free alternatives (wax, silicone, or non-fluorine polymers). Black Diamond's lack of transparency is less progressive than competitors like Patagonia or Arc'teryx, which have published PFAS reduction roadmaps. The Mission 55 is otherwise industry-standard in durability and repellency performance; the gap is disclosure, not durability.
If you buy it
Minimize direct skin contact by wearing moisture-wicking layers underneath. Wash periodically in cool water with mild detergent (hot water or harsh chemicals can degrade water-repellent coating finish prematurely and potentially mobilize coating compounds). Do not dry-clean. Avoid storing in damp conditions, which can promote mildew and degradation of the fabric. If the water-beading visibly fails after 2-3 years, replacement is reasonable; reapplying water-repellent coating finishes carries its own chemical uncertainty.
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 finish composition (PFAS vs. non-fluorine)
Black Diamond has not disclosed whether the Mission 55 uses fluorinated or non-fluorine water-repellent coating. Fluorinated finishes present PFAS exposure (covered in separate PFAS assessment); uncertainty itself creates risk that cannot be ruled out without manufacturer data.
Polyester antimony content
Polyester fibers commonly contain antimony as a catalyst residue, typically at safe levels in finished textile form. No recalls or reports of excess antimony in Black Diamond pack materials exist; this is noted as a category-level concern, not a product-specific finding.
Coating degradation and leaching
Over time, water-repellent coating coatings chip and abrade; fragments and residual monomers may leach into sweat or stored items if contact is prolonged. Risk scales with age and wear. Proper care and dry storage reduce this pathway.
Off-gassing from synthetic fibers and adhesives
New nylon/polyester packs may emit low levels of volatile compounds (odor) during initial use. This typically subsides within days to weeks with airing. No specific VOC or formaldehyde content issues are documented for Black Diamond packs; standard precaution is to air the pack before first extended use.
Mildew and microbial growth if stored wet
Synthetic fabrics retain moisture if packed wet or stored in damp conditions, creating conditions for mold. This is a maintenance hazard, not a material hazard, but prolonged mildew can chemically degrade both the fabric and water-repellent coating finish.
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 gear storage bags 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.