Dana Design · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
Dakine Mission Surf Wet/Dry Backpack
Waterproof backpack with unspecified water-repellent coating treatment. PFAS risk unclear.
Dakine mission packs use water-repellent coating coatings for water resistance but disclose no PFAS information. Brand silence on chemical treatments creates moderate uncertainty for concerned buyers.
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Material
polyester/nylon with water-repellent coating, unspecified
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 Dakine Mission uses polyester and nylon with an unspecified water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on perfluorinated compounds (PFAS), though some brands have moved to fluorine-free alternatives without public announcement. The base fabrics themselves (polyester/nylon) are not inherently hazardous, but degradation of coatings over time can release microparticles and any residual chemical additives into contact with skin or water.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dakine (owned by Boardriders Inc.) does not publish detailed chemical composition or water-repellent coating sourcing information for this pack. The brand has not signed major supply-chain transparency initiatives like the Safer Chemicals in Textiles pledge. No product-specific safety recalls are on public record for this model. Dana Design's parent company history and current chemical policy stance are not prominently disclosed.
How it compares in its category
Outdoor backpacks in the mid-range typically use polyester/nylon with water-repellent coating coatings; this is standard practice. Some premium competitors (Patagonia, The North Face) now disclose fluorine-free water-repellent coating use or commit to phasing PFAS. Budget brands often remain silent on chemistry. The Dakine Mission sits in the murky middle: established brand reputation but minimal chemical transparency, neither leading nor lagging on disclosure relative to peers.
If you buy it
Wash gently in cool water and line dry to preserve coating integrity and minimize microfiber shedding. Avoid hot water and machine drying, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and fibers. Replace the pack if seams delaminate, coating flakes noticeably, or water no longer beads on the surface, as degraded coatings may leach residual chemicals. Contact Dakine directly if you need water-repellent coating chemistry specifics before purchase; silence suggests the information exists but is not marketed.
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.”
Microfiber shedding from polyester
Polyester and nylon fabrics release microfibers during wear and washing. water-repellent coating degradation accelerates this. No brand-specific data available, but typical for this material class.
water-repellent coating degradation and unknown leachables
Unspecified water-repellent coating chemistry may contain PFAS or other additives. As coating wears (typical for backpacks in salt water/heavy use), residual chemicals could contact skin or contaminate rinsed water. No public testing of this product for leachates on record.
Formaldehyde resins in textile finishes
Polyester and nylon do not typically require formaldehyde-releasing resins for durability. No evidence of such finishes in this product category, but unspecified treatments on fabric could theoretically include them.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony is sometimes used as a polymerization catalyst in polyester production. Levels in finished textiles are generally low and not known to migrate significantly in use. No specific contamination reported for Dakine products.
Azo dyes or colorant toxicity
Dakine backpacks use standard colorant processing typical of major outdoor brands. No restricted azo dyes or heavy metal colorant contamination reported for this brand or product line.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 40% 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.