Eddie Bauer · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Eddie Bauer Ripstop Sling Pack
water-repellent coating-treated ripstop nylon; likely PFAS water-repellent coating applied.
Eddie Bauer does not disclose PFAS content or treatment chemicals. Ripstop nylon sling packs typically use water-repellent coating finishes that historically contain PFAS, though newer alternatives exist. Brand transparency is absent.
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Material
Ripstop 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
This pack uses ripstop nylon, a tightly woven synthetic fabric prized for tear resistance and lightweight durability. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to ripstop nylon is the critical variable: traditional water-repellent coating formulations rely on PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") because their carbon-fluorine bonds excel at repelling water and oil while remaining invisible and lightweight. Without transparent disclosure from Eddie Bauer, assuming PFAS-based treatment is the prudent reading of 'water-repellent coating-treated ripstop nylon' at this price point. The nylon substrate itself does not pose known hazards in normal use, but the finish is the concern.
The brand's record and disclosure
Eddie Bauer has not publicly disclosed chemical composition, PFAS avoidance commitments, or third-party testing for this product line. The brand has not prominently adopted PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives as a stated policy, unlike some competitors (Arc'teryx, Patagonia). No recalls or safety warnings specific to this sling pack are on record. Eddie Bauer's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is consistent with industry-wide opacity on fluorinated water repellents; it is not an isolated failure but reflects lack of voluntary transparency.
How it compares in its category
Entry-to-mid-range outdoor sling packs typically use PFAS-based water-repellent coating without disclosure, making this product category-typical rather than outlier. Premium brands increasingly offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives (paraffin wax, polyurethane, or next-generation fluorine-free formulas) at higher price points. If PFAS exposure during product lifecycle is a priority, this pack falls into the higher-concern tier compared to explicitly PFAS-free labeled options, though the absolute exposure risk from a fabric treatment on a worn-externally item is lower than from cookware or textiles in direct contact with skin or food.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged contact with mouth or skin during break-in; initial off-gassing of volatile components from the water-repellent coating finish is possible in the first few wears (minimal but real). Wash separately before use if sensitive to synthetic finishes. Do not heat-treat, machine dry, or expose to high heat, as these can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially release volatile compounds. Inspect the finish annually for flaking or peeling; once water-repellent coating visibly fails, the protective function is lost and replacement is the practical endpoint rather than repair.
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
water-repellent coating-treated ripstop nylon without brand disclosure of PFAS-free alternatives strongly suggests fluorinated repellent. PFAS persistence in environment and bioaccumulation are established; dermal absorption from textiles is minimal but not zero during extended wear.
Coating degradation and microparticle release
Ripstop nylon water-repellent coating finishes can flake or degrade with age, UV exposure, or repeated washing. Microscopic coating particles may be shed; if the coating is PFAS-based, this represents a minor but documented route of exposure.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from synthetic finish
Nylon fabrics with applied chemical finishes can off-gas volatile compounds (aldehydes, hydrocarbons) during first days of use, particularly in warm conditions. Intensity and composition depend on water-repellent coating formulation; no specific test data for this product is publicly available.
Azo dyes in colored ripstop nylon
Ripstop nylon can be dyed with azo colorants; Eddie Bauer does not publish dye chemistry. No recalls for azo dye hazards in this product line are recorded. Standard textile regulation compliance is assumed but not verified.
Antimony catalyst residue in polyester (if present as blend)
This sling pack is specified as ripstop nylon (not polyester), so antimony is not a relevant hazard unless undisclosed polyester is blended. No evidence of such blending is available.
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.
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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.