Dana Design · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
Packable Wet/Dry Rolltop Backpack
Skip until Dana Design discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or certification.
Packable rolltop backpacks require water-repellent coating coatings that historically used PFAS. Dana Design provides no public disclosure of their water-repellent coating treatment or PFAS status. No third-party verification found.
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Material
Rolltop fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) 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
This backpack uses a rolltop fabric (typically nylon or polyester blend) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the surface. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on long-chain PFAS (perfluorooctane, PFOA) for water resistance, though many manufacturers have shifted to PFAS-free or shorter-chain alternatives in recent years. The fabric itself poses minimal chemical hazard if the base fibers are standard synthetic materials, but the coating's composition is the critical unknown here. Dana Design has not publicly disclosed whether their water-repellent coating formulation uses legacy PFAS, fluorine-free alternatives, or wax-based systems.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dana Design is a specialty outdoor gear manufacturer with a modest public profile and no widely documented disclosure statement about PFAS use in their water-resistant coatings. The company has not posted third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or Bluesign) that would independently verify coating chemistry. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of smaller outdoor brands and does not necessarily indicate use of older PFAS formulations, but it does mean you cannot confirm safety before purchase without direct contact with the manufacturer.
How it compares in its category
Packable backpacks in this market segment typically use either PFAS-based water-repellent coating (which is fading), silicone-based water-repellent coating, or wax/paraffin coatings. Mainstream competitors from larger brands (e.g., Patagonia, Arc'teryx) have largely transitioned to PFAS-free water-repellent coating and publish this openly. Dana Design's lack of disclosure puts it in the middle range of transparency; you cannot assume it uses the newest chemistry, but you also have no evidence of ongoing PFAS use. For comparison, many mid-tier brands still use PFAS-based coatings without advertis ing the fact.
If you buy it
Before purchase, contact Dana Design directly to request confirmation that their water-repellent coating is free of C8 PFAS (PFOA, PFOS) and long-chain PFAS. In use, this backpack should not pose dermal or inhalation hazard from the coating during normal handling or wear, as water-repellent coating coatings are bonded to the fabric surface and do not off-gas or leach significantly in ambient conditions. Do not heat-treat, iron, or tumble-dry the backpack, as elevated temperatures can degrade polymer coatings and potentially mobilize residual chemicals. Rinse gently by hand and air-dry to preserve coating integrity.
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.”
Fluorinated water-repellent coating (PFAS-containing formulations)
Dana Design has not disclosed water-repellent coating chemistry; legacy PFAS (particularly PFOA) was standard in outdoor water-repellent coating until ~2015. Unknown whether this backpack uses older PFAS-based coatings, newer fluorine-free alternatives, or wax-based systems. Direct contact with manufacturer is necessary to rule out presence.
Azo dyes in synthetic fabric
Nylon and polyester fabrics can be dyed with azo dyes that break down into aromatic amines; however, Dana Design does not appear to have known product-specific recalls or warnings for azo dye contamination. No public evidence that this product uses non-compliant dyes, but no certification (e.g., OEKO-TEX) confirms safe dye chemistry either.
Antimony in polyester fiber
If this backpack uses polyester, antimony trioxide is a catalyst commonly retained in the finished fiber at low levels (typically <260 ppm). At these concentrations, dermal or ingestion exposure from wearing a backpack is minimal; no specific hazard is reported for this product category.
Coating degradation and leaching over time
water-repellent coating coatings degrade with washing, UV exposure, and mechanical wear. As the coating breaks down, any residual manufacturing chemicals or additives in the resin layer could potentially mobilize, though risk remains very low for a non-food-contact item worn on skin. Proper care (gentle washing, air-drying) slows this process.
Formaldehyde-based resins in fabric finishes
Synthetic textiles may use formaldehyde-based resins for finishing (crease-resistance, water-resistance); Dana Design does not advertise formaldehyde-free finishes. No specific product recall or safety alert exists, but manufacturer disclosure would confirm whether formaldehyde-free finishing is used.
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.