Case-Mate · Waterproof Phone & Tech Cases
Case-Mate IP68 Waterproof Phone Pouch with Zip Pocket for 3 Cards & Cash - Large Floating Phone Case w/Crossbody Lanyard
Skip until materials and waterproof treatments disclosed.
Case-Mate does not disclose materials or waterproofing chemistry for this pouch. IP68 waterproofing typically involves water-repellent coating coatings that may contain PFAS, but no confirmation available from brand.
The safe swap
Spigen Tough Armor
iPhone 17 Series Tough Armor T AI MagFit Case
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Unspecified polymer with waterproof 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
Case-Mate does not specify the polymer base (likely TPU, PVC, or polyester blend) or the waterproof coating chemistry. Waterproof phone pouches typically use either PFAS-based durable water repellents (water-repellent coating) or newer fluorine-free alternatives; Case-Mate's silence on this is the core concern. The unspecified polymer itself poses minimal acute toxicity risk during normal handling, but the coating formulation is the unknown variable that drives PFAS exposure potential.
The brand's record and disclosure
Case-Mate (owned by Incipio) has not published material safety data sheets, PFAS commitments, or waterproof coating disclosures for consumer phone accessories. The brand does not appear on public PFAS elimination pledges or third-party material transparency initiatives. This silence is typical in the phone accessory market but reflects a lack of proactive chemical governance.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof phone pouches are a low-stakes category relative to cookware or cosmetics. Most competitors (OtterBox, Spigen, LifeProof) similarly withhold coating chemistry details. A few brands now advertise PFOA-free or PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatments, but Case-Mate does not. The pouch-and-lanyard format is a commodity product; functional alternatives with transparent materials are readily available.
If you buy it
Keep the pouch dry between uses to prevent microbial growth inside seals. Do not expose to prolonged heat (e.g., car dashboard in summer) as this may accelerate any polymer off-gassing. The lanyard cord is a snag and strangulation hazard for children; store out of reach. Inspect the zipper and seals annually; replace if degradation is visible, as waterproofing integrity will fail.
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.”
Waterproof coating PFAS leachates (undisclosed chemistry)
Polymer waterproof coatings in this price/category tier commonly use PFAS-based water-repellent coating. No test results or material declaration available; risk cannot be ruled out and is graded separately as 40/100.
Polymer off-gassing (VOC from base material or adhesives)
No specific reports of VOC or odor complaints on record for Case-Mate pouches. Unspecified polymer and seam sealants may release minor volatiles, especially when new; exposure is low due to external-contact-only use.
Zipper corrosion or seal degradation over time
User reviews note zipper sticking and water seepage after 6-12 months of typical use; replacement triggers loss of waterproofing efficacy but no acute health hazard.
Microplastic shedding from polymer
No data on microplastic release from Case-Mate pouches. Polymer-based phone cases do not typically shed microplastics during normal dry storage or handling; concern would apply only if pouch is mechanically degraded and submerged repeatedly.
Lanyard choking hazard (product design, not chemistry)
Detachable lanyards on phone pouches pose a known strangulation risk for young children; Case-Mate documentation does not address age-appropriateness or safety design.
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 Phone & Tech Cases
Spigen Tough Armor
iPhone 17 Series Tough Armor T AI MagFit Case
Polycarbonate and TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane)
No PFAS risk signals detected in this rigid plastic case.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Spigen Tough Armor
Samsung Galaxy S24
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polycarbonate (PC)
Lower concern. Phone case, not high-risk product category.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Spigen Tough Armor
Spigen Galaxy S23 Series Case Tough Armor
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polycarbonate blend
Lower concern; no known PFAS-prone materials or treatments identified.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof phone & tech cases 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.