Black Diamond · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Black Diamond Speed 40 Backpack
water-repellent coating treatment likely contains PFAS; no brand disclosure available.
Black Diamond does not publicly disclose PFAS use or avoidance for this pack. water-repellent coating-coated outdoor gear typically relies on fluorochemicals, though specifics remain unknown.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating
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 Speed 40 is constructed from nylon fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating treatments in outdoor gear commonly rely on fluorochemical compounds (PFAS-class) to achieve water-shedding performance; Black Diamond has not disclosed whether this pack uses PFAS-based or fluorine-free alternatives. Nylon itself is stable and non-toxic in normal use, but the coating chemistry determines long-term leaching and environmental persistence.
The brand's record and disclosure
Black Diamond (owned by Clarus Corp.) does not publicly commit to PFAS-free supply chains or provide transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry for any of its fabric products. The company has not issued statements on fluorochemical phase-out timelines. This silence is typical in the climbing and outdoor gear industry but stands out as a missed commitment to consumer and environmental disclosure standards that competitors like Patagonia have begun to adopt.
How it compares in its category
Nylon backpacks are durable midrange choices; many competitors (including budget and premium brands) also use PFAS-based water-repellent coating without disclosure. Fluorine-free water-repellent coating alternatives exist but are less water-repellent over time and are still uncommon at this price point. The Speed 40 offers good longevity, which reduces replacement frequency and total environmental footprint relative to cheaper packs that fail sooner.
If you buy it
Avoid machine washing or using hot water, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially mobilize surface residues. Hand wash with cool water and mild soap; air dry completely before storage. Replace the pack when seams fail or fabric degrades, not when water-repellency fades (that is cosmetic). Store dry and out of direct sunlight to extend fabric life and minimize off-gassing from the coating.
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 degradation and leaching
Over repeated use and washing cycles, fluorochemical water-repellent coating coatings can shed onto skin and into soil/water. The rate depends on whether Black Diamond uses legacy long-chain PFAS or shorter-chain replacements; no testing data is publicly available for this model.
Nylon microfiber shedding during use
Nylon fabric itself does not have a documented hazard profile for wear-related shedding under normal backpack use. This is distinct from microplastic generation in washing machines, which is minimal for whole-pack laundering.
Off-gassing from synthetic coatings
New nylon packs sometimes emit volatile compounds (aldehydes, solvents) during the first weeks of storage or use, particularly if stored in warm, enclosed spaces. This is not brand-specific but affects most untreated synthetic textiles and resolves with airing out.
Heavy metals in dyes or pigments
Black Diamond has not disclosed dyestuff composition or heavy metal testing for this pack. Nylon textiles in the outdoor market are not flagged systematically for cadmium or lead contamination, but data gaps are common.
Contact dermatitis from finish residues
Some users with sensitive skin may react to residual water-repellent coating chemicals on new fabric. Washing the pack before extended wear against skin can reduce risk, though water-repellent coating coatings are designed to persist through laundering.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Garmin
Carry Case
Neoprene or polyester with nylon hardware
Lower concern protective case, no known PFAS risk signals.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Keen
Hybrid Transport Backpack Tan Recycled Rice Paper Plastic Daypack
Recycled rice paper, plastic composite, no evident water-resistant coating
Lower concern. Plain materials, no apparent water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof outdoor bags & 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.