Cabela's · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Ascend Heavy-Duty Dry Bag
No PFAS disclosure available; waterproof dry bags often use water-repellent coating treatments.
Cabela's does not publicly disclose PFAS or coating details for this dry bag. Waterproof fabric products typically use water-repellent treatments; composition unclear without label review.
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Material
Fabric with waterproof coating (likely PVC or polyurethane)
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 Ascend Heavy-Duty Dry Bag uses a fabric base with a waterproof coating, most commonly PVC or polyurethane in this product category. These coatings bond water-repellency to the fabric but degrade over time with UV exposure, heat, and mechanical stress, potentially releasing coating fragments or altering the material's integrity. Cabela's does not publicly disclose which specific coating chemistry is used on this model, making it impossible to assess whether it contains PFAS-based water repellents (common in premium outdoor gear) or alternative treatments.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cabela's (owned by Bass Pro Shops) maintains minimal public transparency on chemical composition or safety certifications for most fabric products. No established recalls specific to this dry bag line have been documented in public databases. The brand does not appear to have signed ZDHC, Bluesign, or similar chemical management frameworks that would indicate third-party oversight of coating materials. Their silence on PFAS and waterproof treatment chemistry is typical for regional outdoor retailers but does not meet modern disclosure standards set by competitors like Patagonia or REI Co-op.
How it compares in its category
Heavy-duty dry bags in this price segment commonly use PVC or unspecified polyurethane coatings; premium alternatives often disclose PFAS-free or certified-safe treatments. The Ascend line is positioned as budget-friendly, which typically correlates with older coating formulations and less rigorous environmental vetting. Without brand transparency, this product occupies a middle ground of functional but lower-assurance safety compared to certified PFAS-free bags from specialty outdoor brands.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources (above 140F can accelerate coating breakdown). Inspect the seams and coating annually for cracks, peeling, or discoloration; replace if the waterproof layer visibly deteriorates or loses water resistance. Rinse with cool water only and air-dry; never use solvents, bleach, or high-heat drying methods. Avoid prolonged contact with skin or food storage, as coating integrity degradation may release particles or absorbed chemicals.
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.”
Coating degradation and microparticle release
PVC and polyurethane coatings on fabric dry bags are prone to cracking and peeling with UV and mechanical stress, potentially releasing coating fragments. No product-specific data on degradation rate or particle toxicity is publicly available for the Ascend line.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing
Waterproof coatings on new textiles commonly emit VOCs during initial cure and storage. The Ascend bag is not tested or certified low-VOC; new out-of-package smell indicates residual volatile compounds, though this typically decreases within days of airing.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) phthalate and other additives
If the coating is PVC-based, it may contain plasticizers (phthalates) or other chemical additives to improve flexibility. Cabela's does not disclose additive composition; contact with heat or prolonged moisture may slightly increase leaching risk, though dry bags are not food-contact items.
Seam leakage and water damage to contents
Online user reviews and retailer feedback indicate occasional seam failures and coating delamination in heavy use, suggesting variable quality control. This is a functional rather than chemical hazard but affects the bag's primary safety function of protecting contents.
Bacterial growth in storage pockets
Sealed dry bags can trap moisture and create anaerobic environments if not fully dried before storage, promoting mold or bacterial growth inside. This is user-dependent but more likely if the bag's coating traps water in fabric layers rather than allowing full evaporation.
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.