Dana Design · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
Dakine Mission Surf 30L Backpack
Likely water-repellent coating-treated nylon; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
Surf backpack uses water-repellent coating typical of outdoor gear. Dakine does not disclose PFAS status or water-repellent coating chemistry; contact brand for specifics.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent 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 Mission Surf 30L uses nylon fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed water and extend product life. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFAS chemicals, though some manufacturers have switched to non-PFAS alternatives; Dakine/Dana Design does not publicly disclose which type is used on this model. Nylon itself is stable and does not off-gas formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds under normal use, making the water-repellent coating treatment the primary chemical concern.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dakine (owned by Boardriders Inc.) has not published detailed chemical safety certifications or PFAS phase-out commitments for its backpack line as of available public records. The brand does not maintain a transparent materials database or third-party sustainability certification for this product category. Without explicit disclosure, the water-repellent coating type cannot be verified, leaving PFAS exposure status unresolved for informed buyers.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-range outdoor backpacks use nylon with water-repellent coating coatings; premium brands like Patagonia and The North Face increasingly disclose PFAS-free or reduced-PFAS options, while Dakine remains silent. Budget alternatives and heritage brands show similar transparency gaps. This product sits in the middle tier by price without corresponding transparency, making it harder to differentiate on chemical safety than competitor lines with explicit certifications.
If you buy it
Nylon backpacks require no special heat precautions during normal use (storage, carry). Avoid machine washing or prolonged submersion; rinse with plain water and air-dry to preserve the water-repellent coating and minimize any chemical leaching. Inspect seams and coating annually for wear; a degraded water-repellent coating layer will no longer shed water but does not release hazardous particles. Consider requesting the manufacturer's materials safety data sheet (MSDS) for the water-repellent coating agent if PFAS status is a dealbreaker for your household.
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.”
water-repellent coating composition (PFAS status unknown)
Nylon water-repellent coating treatments commonly use PFAS or fluorocarbon compounds; Dakine does not disclose the specific chemistry for this model, leaving exposure risk unquantified.
Formaldehyde in textile resins
Nylon does not require formaldehyde-based dyes or finishes; no reports of formaldehyde hazards in Dakine backpacks in public records.
Azo dyes (carcinogenic potential)
Banned azo dyes are not established hazards in Dakine nylon products; the brand does not report restricted-substance testing results for this line.
Flame retardants in textiles
Backpacks are not subject to flame retardant mandates; no evidence of added flame retardants in standard nylon outdoor gear like this model.
Heavy metal contamination in dyes or finishes
No recalls or test data indicate lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Dakine backpack colorants or coatings; nylon is not a common vector for these contaminants.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 42% 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.