Dana Design · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
Dana Design Arclight Glacier Backpack
Backpack likely has water-repellent coating; Dana Design discloses nothing about PFAS.
Dana Design Arclight Glacier is a nylon backpack with water-repellent treatment, typical for outdoor gear. Brand provides no PFAS transparency; water-repellent coating coatings often contain fluorochemicals.
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Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating (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
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 Arclight Glacier is nylon with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating treatments historically rely on fluorochemicals to repel water, and while some modern formulations avoid long-chain PFAS, most nylon outdoor gear still uses legacy treatments. Nylon itself is stable and non-toxic as a fiber, but the coating chemistry is the unknown variable here. Dana Design has not published which water-repellent coating chemistry they use, leaving uncertainty about PFAS presence and concentration.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dana Design is a mid-tier outdoor brand with minimal public disclosure on chemical inputs or sustainability certifications. No independent recall history for chemical contamination exists on record. The brand does not publish material safety data sheets or water-repellent coating supplier details, which is typical for the category but represents a missed opportunity for transparency. No certifications (GOTS, bluesign, etc.) are apparent.
How it compares in its category
Nylon backpacks with water-repellent coating are the industry standard for water resistance. Premium brands (e.g., Patagonia, Arc'teryx) increasingly disclose PFAS-free water-repellent coating options, while Dana Design has not. This backpack sits in the middle of the market for transparency: better than no-name brands offering no information, but behind leaders committing to PFAS-free coatings. For pure durability and water performance, water-repellent coating nylon is standard across price tiers.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from prolonged heat, which can degrade nylon and potentially mobilize coating chemicals. Wash by hand with mild soap and cool water only; avoid hot water and machine washing, which stress the water-repellent coating layer and may increase leaching. Reapply water-repellent treatments cautiously, as home products vary widely in chemical safety. Replace the backpack if the water-repellent coating visibly peels, flakes, or degrades, as barrier integrity matters for both performance and chemical containment.
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.”
Azo dyes in nylon dyeing
Nylon can be dyed with azo dyes, some of which break down into carcinogenic amines; no safety data or recalls exist for Dana Design backpacks, and modern outdoor manufacturers typically use safer dyes, but no audit on record confirms this product's supply chain.
Formaldehyde resins in fabric finishes
Durable finishes on textiles occasionally use formaldehyde-releasing resins; no published testing or complaints exist for this brand, and nylon's synthetic origin means formaldehyde use is less likely than in cotton blends, but Dana Design provides no chemical inventory.
water-repellent coating degradation and leaching
Over years of wear and washing, water-repellent coating coatings degrade, and fluorochemical residues may shed into soil or water when disposed. Given Dana Design's silence on whether their water-repellent coating is PFAS-based, the potential for environmental leaching remains unquantified.
Antimony in polyester blends
If any polyester is blended with the nylon, antimony catalysts may be present in trace amounts; this product is described as nylon, so antimony risk is minimal unless fiber composition is mislabeled.
Fragrance or optical brighteners in treatments
Some outdoor textiles receive optional perfuming or brightening agents post-dye; no evidence exists for the Arclight Glacier, and such additives are less common in technical gear than in casual apparel.
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.