Cabela's · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Cabela's Boundary Waters Roll-Top Backpack
Skip or contact Cabela's about water-repellent coating composition.
Roll-top backpack uses waterproof-treated nylon typical of outdoor gear. Cabela's discloses no PFAS information or coating details, creating uncertainty about fluorinated water-repellent treatments commonly used in this category.
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Material
Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating waterproof coating, unspecified
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 Boundary Waters is constructed from nylon fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating of unspecified chemistry. Nylon itself is a stable synthetic polymer with low toxicity in normal use. The water-repellent coating treatment is the main concern: historically, many outdoor gear manufacturers used PFOA or PFAS-based water repellents, though formulations have shifted in recent years toward fluorine-free or short-chain alternatives. Cabela's does not publicly disclose which type this backpack uses.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cabela's (owned by Bass Pro Shops) has not published a transparent PFAS policy or commitment to fluorine-free coatings for outdoor gear as of recent public records. The brand does not voluntarily disclose water-repellent coating chemistry on product labels or websites. No major safety recalls or toxicity incidents specific to this backpack model are on record. Without active communication from the brand, the composition of the coating remains a black box.
How it compares in its category
Entry-to-mid-range outdoor backpacks commonly use nylon with water-repellent coating coatings; the Boundary Waters sits in this typical category. Competitors like REI Co-op and some Patagonia models have begun disclosing fluorine-free water-repellent coating options, setting a higher transparency standard. Cabela's lack of disclosure does not mean the coating is unsafe, but it does mean buyers cannot confirm compliance with evolving PFAS avoidance. For the nylon material itself, this product is no different from dozens of standard hiking packs.
If you buy it
Machine wash in cool water with mild detergent and air dry to extend the water-repellent coating's life; avoid high heat and fabric softeners. Do not machine dry, as heat can damage the coating and potentially release volatile compounds if the water-repellent coating is fluorinated. Inspect the pack annually for loss of water beading; if water no longer repels, the coating has degraded and reapplication is possible via commercial water-repellent coating refreshers (which carry their own composition risks). Store in a dry location to prevent mold or mildew growth on damp nylon.
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.”
PFAS in water-repellent coating
Unspecified water-repellent coating formulation means PFAS presence cannot be ruled out. Modern outdoor gear increasingly uses fluorine-free alternatives, but older or budget-tier products may still use legacy PFAS compounds. Direct contact with skin during wear is low-risk; inhalation is not a normal use concern unless the coating is mechanically degraded or heated.
Nylon fiber shedding and microplastics
Nylon backpacks do not release significant microplastic fibers under normal use (hiking, carrying). This becomes a concern only if the fabric is heavily abraded or washed excessively, which is not typical for a backpack. No recalls or safety advisories for this product exist on this issue.
Degradation of coating over time
All water-repellent coating coatings degrade with use, UV exposure, and washing, regardless of chemistry. As the coating wears, nylon will absorb water and may eventually fail. This is a durability issue rather than a safety issue, but degraded coatings can be reapplied with commercial products (carrying their own hazard profile).
Formaldehyde or other chemical finishes in nylon
Nylon fabric itself does not require formaldehyde-based resins for finishing. No evidence suggests Cabela's uses formaldehyde-releasing treatments on this model. The water-repellent coating is the primary chemical finish of concern.
Azo dyes or heavy metals in colorants
The Boundary Waters is available in neutral outdoor colors (black, green, tan). No recalls or testing has flagged azo dyes or heavy metal contamination in Cabela's nylon gear. Nylon dyes are typically not azo-based and meet standard textile safety requirements.
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.