Columbia · Waterproof Outdoor Gear
Columbia Landroamer Travel Backpack
Backpack likely has water-repellent coating; Columbia discloses nothing about PFAS.
Columbia Landroamer is a travel backpack with water-resistant treatment typical of outdoor gear. No public PFAS disclosure from brand; water-repellent coating finishes often contain PFAS, but specific chemistry unknown.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon blend with water-repellent coating water-resistant 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
clothing 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 Landroamer is constructed from nylon blended fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the surface. water-repellent coating coatings are almost universally applied to outdoor textiles to shed water, and the chemistry of that coating is the primary concern here. Nylon itself is chemically inert and safe in normal use; the degradation hazard comes from the water-repellent coating treatment, which historically relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) though some manufacturers have shifted to non-fluorinated alternatives. Columbia has not publicly disclosed which chemistry is used on the Landroamer.
The brand's record and disclosure
Columbia does not maintain a public PFAS disclosure policy or committed timeline to eliminate fluorinated water-repellent coating from its product line, despite the chemical class being widely documented as a persistent environmental contaminant. The brand has faced no major recalls or documented safety violations specific to this backpack model. Columbia's website does not specify materials testing or third-party certifications for chemical safety on textiles. Consumers seeking transparency will find Columbia's stance minimal compared to outdoor brands like Patagonia or Arc'teryx, which have published PFAS reduction commitments.
How it compares in its category
Travel backpacks in this price and performance tier typically receive the same water-repellent coating treatment, so the Landroamer is not an outlier in potential PFAS exposure. Many mainstream outdoor brands (The North Face, Osprey, Deuter) use similar nylon plus water-repellent coating construction without transparent chemical disclosure. Brands certified by bluesign or GOTS (organic textile standard) are more likely to use scrutinized water-repellent coating chemistry, though those certifications are rare on travel packs. The Landroamer is middle-of-the-road for a major brand; it offers no added safety advantage over competitors on chemical hazards.
If you buy it
Wash the backpack once before heavy use to remove surface finish particles and dust. Use cold water only and avoid machine drying, which can accelerate coating breakdown. Clean with mild soap and water when needed; harsh detergents or bleach will degrade the water-repellent coating faster. Replace the backpack if the nylon tears or the coating visibly flakes, as both can increase exposure to residual coating compounds. Avoid storing it in direct sunlight for extended periods, as UV exposure degrades the water-repellent coating layer.
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.”
Fluorinated water-repellent coating (PFAS family)
Standard water-repellent coating chemistry on nylon outdoor textiles historically uses C6 or C8 perfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Columbia does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Coating contact with skin is minimal during normal backpack use, but shed fibers and particle residue may carry the compound, especially during manufacture and initial wear.
Formaldehyde resins in dyes or finishing
No recalls or testing data on record for the Landroamer. Nylon dyes and finishes in industrial textiles may use formaldehyde-releasing resins, but Columbia's lack of transparency means this cannot be confirmed or ruled out. Brand-wide testing is unavailable.
Azo dyes (carcinogenic/allergenic colorants)
Nylon backpacks are typically dyed with azo compounds; however, the Landroamer is primarily black or muted colors, which are less likely to use the most problematic azo dyes. No testing or complaint data is publicly available for this specific product.
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
The water-repellent coating will naturally degrade with wear and washing. Shed microfibers from the coating and nylon base may enter washwater and the environment. This is not a direct hazard to the wearer but a product lifecycle concern. Durability and longevity of the coating are not specified by Columbia.
Heavy metals in dyes or pigments
No recalls or safety warnings on record for the Landroamer. Industrial nylon dyes can contain cadmium or lead in rare cases, but mainstream outdoor textiles are not flagged as a significant source. Testing data is unavailable.
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.
Safer alternatives in Waterproof Outdoor Gear
Patagonia
Refugio Day Pack 26L
recycled nylon with non-fluorinated water-repellent coating treatment
Lower PFAS concern. Patagonia claims non-fluorinated water-repellent coating on this pack.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More waterproof outdoor gear 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.