Columbia · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
RGD 40L Vertipack Xtreme Airtight/Submersible Backpack
Airtight/submersible backpack likely uses water-repellent coating treatment; coating type unspecified by brand.
Columbia does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry for this pack. Submersible/airtight functionality typically requires fluorocarbon or silicone treatment, but Columbia remains silent on PFAS status. Request transparency before purchase.
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Material
Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating 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
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 RGD 40L uses a nylon/polyester blend fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to achieve its waterproof and submersible claims. water-repellent coating treatments historically rely on PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to create the water-shedding layer, though some brands have shifted to PFAS-free alternatives. Columbia has not publicly specified which chemistry it uses for this model, leaving the coating type ambiguous. The nylon and polyester themselves are stable synthetics with low leaching risk during normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Columbia does not maintain a public PFAS stance or transparency report on its waterproof coating suppliers, unlike some outdoor brands that have made commitments to phase out or disclose PFAS use. The brand has no documented safety recalls or formaldehyde/azo-dye violations on record for backpacks in recent years. Columbia's parent company, Omers, has faced no major environmental or safety enforcement actions that would apply to this product category.
How it compares in its category
Mid-range outdoor backpacks in this size and waterproof tier typically use either PFAS-based water-repellent coating or untested newer alternatives; Columbia sits in the mainstream without a disclosed choice. Brands like Patagonia and Arc'teryx have moved toward PFAS-free water-repellent coating (often wax or silicone-based) and publish that transparently. This Columbia model offers good performance specs but lags on ingredient transparency compared to premium sustainability-focused competitors in the same price range.
If you buy it
Wash the backpack with gentle soap and cool water; avoid machine washing or heat drying, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially release coating particles. Reapply water-repellent coating treatments every 1-2 years if heavy water exposure is routine (reapplication products themselves may contain PFAS, so check labels). Do not expose to prolonged direct heat or flame. Store in a dry place to prevent mildew; if odor develops, air dry rather than washing repeatedly.
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
Submersible waterproof backpacks almost always use fluorinated water-repellent coating; Columbia has not disclosed whether this uses legacy PFAS or alternatives. Coating remains stable during normal wear but may leach if abraded or washed aggressively.
Formaldehyde resins in textile finish
Columbia backpacks have not been flagged for formaldehyde-based dyes or wrinkle-resistant finishes; nylon and polyester blends for outdoor use typically do not require these treatments.
Azo dyes (toxic colorants)
No reported azo-dye violations in Columbia apparel or bags. Polyester and nylon backpacks in this segment rarely use prohibited azo dyes, though dye sourcing is not publicly tracked by the brand.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony (a catalyst used in polyester manufacture) can be present in trace amounts in synthetic blends. Exposure risk during normal use is negligible; concern arises only if backpack is burned or heavily degraded.
Coating degradation and particle shedding
Waterproof coatings can flake or shed microparticles when abraded, washed, or aged. This model's durability record is undocumented, so replacement timing depends on use intensity.
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 Outdoor Bags
Granite Gear
Wrought Iron Food Pack
nylon fabric pack, likely uncoated or minimally treated
Food pack likely lower concern; confirm no water-repellent coating with brand.
⚠Risky category by default
More waterproof outdoor 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.