Coleman · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage
Coleman 52 Quart Hard Cooler
Lower concern but waterproofing treatment not disclosed. Silent on PFAS.
Coleman hard coolers use rotomolded polyethylene with water-resistant coatings. No public PFAS disclosure; waterproof treatment composition unknown.
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Material
Rotomolded polyethylene with water-repellent coating treatment
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 Coleman 52 Quart is constructed from rotomolded high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a food-contact-safe plastic with very low chemical leaching under normal use. Rotomolding creates thick, durable walls with no adhesives or joining that could off-gas. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment on the exterior is the only chemical layer of concern; its formulation is not publicly disclosed by Coleman, leaving PFAS content uncertain despite the lower-concern PFAS grading.
The brand's record and disclosure
Coleman has not published ingredient disclosures, safety certifications, or statements on PFAS use in cooler treatments. The company has no established history of chemical safety controversies in the hard cooler line, but the lack of transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry is a notable gap. No recalls for chemical hazards in this product line are on record. This silence is typical for the cooler category but leaves users without verification.
How it compares in its category
Hard rotomolded coolers like this one are chemically safer than soft-sided or fabric-insulated models, which may contain foam adhesives, PVC, or synthetic textiles with flame retardants or formaldehyde. Coleman's HDPE construction is standard across premium hard coolers (Yeti, Orca, Pelican). The undisclosed water-repellent coating finish is a shared weakness across the category, as few manufacturers specify whether they use PFAS-based or PFAS-free water repellents.
If you buy it
Do not use this cooler to heat food or liquids above 120F (49C), as polyethylene can soften and leach at higher temperatures, though food-contact leaching at normal refrigeration and ambient temperatures is minimal. Clean it with mild soap and water; avoid harsh solvents that can degrade the plastic. Replace the cooler if the exterior coating visibly peels, cracks, or degrades, as the water-repellent coating barrier loss may expose polyethylene dust to contents. The cooler itself will remain functional for 10+ years under normal use.
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.”
Polyethylene thermal leaching
HDPE is stable at food-safe temperatures but will soften and potentially leach oligomers if filled with very hot liquids (above 120F). Normal cooler use (cold/ambient storage) poses no known risk.
water-repellent coating degradation and exposure
The exterior water-repellent treatment is not disclosed; if it peels or flakes, microparticles could theoretically contact food stored inside. Risk is low if the interior remains intact, but cosmetic damage should trigger inspection of the seal.
BPA or BPS in polyethylene
Rotomolded HDPE typically contains no BPA/BPS; these chemicals are not part of the HDPE polymer or standard cooler formulations. No reports of BPA migration from this product line exist.
Microplastic shedding from interior walls
Rotomolded HDPE is chemically bonded and does not shed microplastics under normal storage or gentle cleaning. Risk would only arise if the interior is abraded severely or heated well beyond design temperature.
Undisclosed PFAS in water-repellent coating treatment (linked to PFAS grade)
Coleman has not disclosed whether the water-repellent coating uses PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, GenX) or PFAS-free alternatives. The lower PFAS concern grade reflects typical industry practice but lack of verification remains.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 62% 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 Gear Storage
Coleman
Chiller Cooler
Plastic (polypropylene) cooler body, foam insulation
Lower concern cooler. No known PFAS-treated materials typical.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Coleman
YETI LoadOut 15 GoBox
Rotomolded polyethylene plastic
Lower concern. Hard plastic cooler with no known PFAS-linked coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Coleman
Ezy Storage 5.28 Gallon Small Gasket Tote, Ip68 WaterProof Plastic Storage Bin with Lid, Gasket Seal and Durable Latches
Polypropylene plastic with waterproof gasket seal, coating unspecified
Waterproof plastic storage; PFAS coating risk unclear, no disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More waterproof outdoor gear storage 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.