Eddie Bauer · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Eddie Bauer Bygone 25L Backpack
Outdoor backpack with likely water-repellent coating. Eddie Bauer silent on PFAS.
This backpack uses durable ripstop nylon with water-resistant treatment, typical for outdoor gear. Eddie Bauer provides no PFAS disclosure; water-repellent coating coatings often contain PFAS, though some brands now use alternatives.
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Material
Nylon ripstop, polyester lining, water-repellent coating-coated fabric
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
other 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 Bygone 25L uses nylon ripstop as its primary fabric, a densely woven synthetic polymer chosen for tear resistance and lightweight strength. The polyester lining adds durability but is inert in normal use. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the fabric is the main chemical concern: these coatings commonly contain PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated substances) used to make fabric water-resistant, though Eddie Bauer has not disclosed whether their water-repellent coating formulation uses legacy PFAS, newer fluorine-free alternatives, or PFAS-lite chemistry.
The brand's record and disclosure
Eddie Bauer has not publicly committed to PFAS phase-out or transparency in outdoor apparel, unlike some competitors (Arc'teryx, Patagonia, The North Face) who have begun disclosing water-repellent coating chemistry or switching to fluorine-free options. The company has no known recalls or documented safety controversies tied to this backpack model specifically. No third-party testing data for PFAS content in Eddie Bauer backpacks is publicly available.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-market outdoor backpacks in this size and price range use identical nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating, so the Bygone is typical rather than exceptional for chemical load. Higher-end brands increasingly offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives (wax, silicone, or newer polymer coatings), while budget alternatives often use the same legacy PFAS chemistry. The Bygone sits in a middle tier with no disclosed advantage.
If you buy it
Nylon ripstop and polyester lining are stable under normal use; no heat exposure, food contact, or wear triggers are relevant. Wash by hand in cool water when needed; machine washing may degrade the water-repellent coating over time, requiring periodic reapplication (which reintroduces PFAS unless fluorine-free replacement is used). Store in a dry place to prevent mold growth in the fabric. water-repellent coating effectiveness typically lasts 2-5 years depending on frequency of washing and abrasion.
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
Outdoor backpack with water-repellent finish almost certainly contains PFAS unless explicitly marketed otherwise. Eddie Bauer's silence on formulation and lack of public commitment to alternatives suggests continued use of fluorinated chemistry; PFAS migrates slowly into skin and surrounding materials.
Coating degradation and reapplication risk
As water-repellent coating wears over years of use and washing, users may reapply consumer-grade water-repellent coating sprays or treatments, most of which contain additional PFAS. This extends exposure beyond factory application.
Polyester microfiber shedding
Polyester lining and nylon ripstop may shed microfibers during wear and washing, but no established health hazard from backpack use has been documented. Risk is environmental rather than direct consumer health.
Heavy metal dyes in fabric
No recalls or public testing data indicate heavy metal contamination in Eddie Bauer nylon fabrics. Azo dyes in textiles are heavily regulated in EU and US markets, making this a low concern for this mainstream brand.
Formaldehyde in finishes
Formaldehyde-based textile resins are uncommon in modern nylon ripstop apparel. No reports of formaldehyde release from Eddie Bauer backpacks.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% 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 & Luggage
Garmin
Carry Case
Neoprene or polyester with nylon hardware
Lower concern protective case, no known PFAS risk signals.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Keen
Hybrid Transport Backpack Tan Recycled Rice Paper Plastic Daypack
Recycled rice paper, plastic composite, no evident water-resistant coating
Lower concern. Plain materials, no apparent water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof outdoor bags & luggage 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.