Black Diamond · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Black Diamond Stonehauler 40 L Travel Pack
Travel pack PFAS risk unclear; contact Black Diamond for water-repellent coating chemistry details.
This hiking backpack likely has water-repellent coating, which traditionally used PFAS. Black Diamond has not disclosed their water-repellent coating treatment source or PFAS status. No third-party testing available.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon fabric 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 Stonehauler 40 is constructed from nylon fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings are applied to prevent water absorption and maintain packability, but the specific chemistry of Black Diamond's formulation is not publicly disclosed. Nylon itself is chemically stable and does not leach into food or skin under normal use, but the water-repellent coating treatment is the uncertainty point: older water-repellent coating finishes relied on long-chain PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid and similar), while newer formulations may use shorter-chain alternatives or fluorine-free options.
The brand's record and disclosure
Black Diamond Equipment, a climbing and outdoor gear maker owned by Clarus Corporation, has not published detailed chemical disclosures or sustainability statements regarding PFAS use in their textiles or water-repellent coating finishes. The brand has not announced phase-outs of PFAS-based treatments or provided third-party test results for PFAS in finished products. Industry peers (e.g., some Arc'teryx and Patagonia products) have begun disclosing PFAS-free water-repellent coating or switching to alternative chemistries; Black Diamond's silence suggests either use of conventional PFAS or lack of transparency rather than proactive substitution.
How it compares in its category
Travel and hiking packs in the 40L size are typically made from nylon or polyester with water-repellent coating finishes; this is standard industry practice. Black Diamond's construction quality is well-regarded, but the water-repellent coating chemistry gap is common across most outdoor brands unless they explicitly state otherwise. Packs marketed as 'PFAS-free' or with certifications like Bluesign or OEKO-TEX tend to be more transparent, though they command a price premium. The Stonehauler sits in the middle: reliable gear with no known chemical hazard alerts, but also no transparency advantage.
If you buy it
Store the pack dry and avoid prolonged contact with skin oils or water if possible; the water-repellent coating finish will gradually wear off with use and laundering, which is normal. Do not machine wash or dry clean unless the manufacturer explicitly allows it, as solvents and heat can degrade both nylon and water-repellent coating. Avoid leaving it wet in sealed bags for extended periods, as this can promote mildew but does not chemically degrade the fabric. If PFAS exposure is a personal concern, contact Black Diamond directly to request water-repellent coating formulation details or test results before purchase.
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 chemical composition (PFAS-related but assessed separately)
The water-repellent coating is not publicly specified by Black Diamond. Conventional water-repellent coating formulations (as of 2020s) may contain legacy PFAS, but exact chemistry unknown; no recalls or health alerts on record for this product.
Nylon fiber degradation and microfiber release
Nylon fabric does not inherently shed microplastics under normal backpack use, but abrasion against rocks or rough surfaces can create fine fibers. This is not a documented health concern for wearers, only potential environmental release during outdoor use.
Dye fastness and azo dyes
Black Diamond packs are typically dyed using standard textile methods. No azo dyes (banned or restricted in many regions) have been reported in Black Diamond products, and the brand is not known for dye-related quality failures or allergic reactions.
Plastic hardware and adhesives
The pack contains plastic attachment points, zippers, and adhesive seams typical of outdoor gear. No specific chemical leaching or toxicity has been documented for Black Diamond hardware; degradation occurs over years of use but does not pose acute health risk.
Flame retardant treatments
Nylon travel packs are not routinely treated with flame retardants unless marketed as fire-resistant; the Stonehauler 40 carries no such claim and no flame retardant contamination has been reported.
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.