Eddie Bauer · Waterproof Gear Storage Bags
Eddie Bauer Expedition 22 Duffel 2.0
Unknown water-resistant coating; Eddie Bauer does not disclose PFAS avoidance.
This duffel uses treated ballistic nylon for water resistance, but Eddie Bauer provides no PFAS disclosure. water-repellent coating coatings often contain PFAS; the specific treatment formula is unconfirmed.
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Material
Ballistic nylon with water-repellent coating water-resistant 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
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 Expedition 22 Duffel 2.0 uses ballistic nylon, a tightly woven polyamide fabric chosen for abrasion resistance and durability. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is the primary chemical concern, as many commercial water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on PFAS compounds like PFOA and PFOS to achieve water resistance. Eddie Bauer does not publicly specify whether this product uses fluorocarbon-free or fluorinated water-repellent coating, leaving the composition uncertain.
The brand's record and disclosure
Eddie Bauer has not published a substantive PFAS policy or committed to phasing out fluorinated water repellents in gear. The company does not disclose specific coating chemistry on product pages or certifications such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign. This silence is notable in a category where transparency on water-repellent coating formulations has become standard among some competitors; it reflects either use of conventional fluorinated treatments or lack of consumer-facing disclosure infrastructure.
How it compares in its category
High-end luggage and duffels increasingly offer fluorocarbon-free water-repellent coating alternatives (e.g., wax-based or polyurethane coatings), though cost and performance trade-offs vary. The Expedition 22 is mid-market positioning, so the use of legacy PFAS-containing water-repellent coating would not be unusual in this segment. Competing bags from brands with explicit PFAS-free claims exist, but many similarly priced duffels remain similarly non-transparent.
If you buy it
Ballistic nylon itself is stable and does not shed microplastics during normal wear. Avoid prolonged immersion and dry-clean or gentle hand wash rather than machine washing to preserve the water-repellent coating. The fabric will eventually lose water resistance; reapplication with commercial water-repellent coating sprays (which may themselves contain PFAS) can extend life, or you can accept reduced water repellency as the bag ages. Store in a dry, well-ventilated space to prevent mold or mildew if damp.
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
Ballistic nylon duffels conventionally use fluorinated water repellents; this product's specific water-repellent coating formula is undisclosed. No recall or detected environmental/health incident specific to this model is on record.
Polyamide degradation and microplastic shedding
Ballistic nylon is a durable, tightly woven polyamide that does not shed fibers or microplastics under normal bag use. Risk would only arise from severe mechanical damage or chemical breakdown, which is outside typical carrying conditions.
Dye heavy metals (azo dyes, antimony in polyester)
Nylon production can involve azo dyes and cadmium-based colorants in some cases, but Eddie Bauer's manufacturing partners are not documented with such contamination. No specific recalls or testing data for this model exist.
Hardware leachates (zippers, buckles, rivets)
Duffels typically include metal or plastic hardware; nickel leaching from zippers is possible with extended moisture exposure, but at levels unlikely to cause skin sensitization under normal luggage use. Product specifications do not disclose hardware material or nickel testing.
VOC off-gassing from coatings and adhesives
New ballistic nylon gear may emit volatile organic compounds from water-repellent coating resin and glue; airing out the bag before extended use in enclosed spaces (e.g., cars, tents) is standard practice. No specific off-gassing study or complaint record exists for this product.
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.
More waterproof gear storage 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.