Dana Design · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
Dana Design Glacier Black 5000 Cu In Internal Frame Backpack Black
Backpack likely has water-repellent coating; PFAS status undisclosed by Dana Design.
This internal frame backpack uses nylon with water-repellent treatment typical of outdoor gear. Dana Design provides no PFAS information; water-repellent coating coatings commonly contain PFAS, but specific formulation is unknown.
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Material
Nylon fabric 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 Dana Design Glacier Black is constructed from nylon fabric, a synthetic polymer known for durability and water resistance. The stated water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment is the primary chemical concern: water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor gear have historically relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS), though some manufacturers have shifted to fluorine-free alternatives. Dana Design has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry is used on this model, leaving the specific fluorine content uncertain.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dana Design is a subsidiary of Mountainsmith and specializes in outdoor backpacks. The brand has not published detailed chemical disclosures or PFAS phase-out commitments comparable to some competitors (Arc'teryx, Patagonia). No recalls or safety violations specific to this backpack model are on record. The lack of transparency around water-repellent coating treatment is the main disclosure gap relevant to this product.
How it compares in its category
High-end outdoor backpacks routinely incorporate water-repellent coating treatments; this model's reliance on one is standard practice, not exceptional risk. However, competitors including Osprey and REI Co-op brands increasingly specify fluorine-free water-repellent coating or provide detailed material safety data. Dana Design's silence on this detail is less transparent than leading peers but not unusual for mid-tier outdoor brands. The nylon itself carries no documented hazards distinct from other synthetic backpack textiles.
If you buy it
Minimize direct skin contact with the exterior fabric, especially on the back panel, since water-repellent coating coatings are worn on the surface. Wash the backpack only when necessary using cool water and mild detergent; avoid high heat or heavy scrubbing, which can degrade the water-repellent coating layer and potentially release particles. Do not dry-clean. If the water repellency visibly deteriorates (water no longer beads), the coating is degrading; consider replacement rather than attempting to reapply water-repellent coating at home, as consumer products may use different chemistry.
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
Nylon backpacks routinely use fluorinated water-repellent coating; Dana Design has not disclosed which chemistry is applied to this model. Fluorine-based water-repellent coating coatings are a known source of PFAS exposure, particularly on exterior contact surfaces.
Formaldehyde resins in nylon finishing
No recalls or reported issues specific to formaldehyde in Dana Design backpack nylon. Standard nylon fabric production may involve finishes, but exposure from an external backpack fabric is minimal compared to close-contact apparel.
Azo dyes in Black colorant
No specific hazards reported for this model's black nylon dye. Commercial outdoor nylon typically uses regulated colorants, and restricted azo dyes are largely phased out in U.S. and EU markets. Contact with skin during normal backpack use is limited.
water-repellent coating degradation and particle release
As water-repellent coating coatings wear, they may shed microparticles. Long-term wear and repeated washing accelerate this. The health significance of inhaling or ingesting nylon-water-repellent coating particles is not well established, but degraded coatings should trigger replacement.
Flame retardants in nylon or webbing
No evidence that Dana Design applies intentional flame retardants to this backpack model. Nylon is inherently less flammable than some textiles, and this category (backpack, not furniture or children's apparel) is not commonly treated with added flame retardants.
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.