EVOC · Waterproof Outdoor Gear
EVOC Ride 12L Backpack
Backpack likely has water-repellent coating treatment; EVOC provides no PFAS disclosure.
EVOC Ride packs are durable nylon backpacks with water-repellent finishes typical of outdoor gear. Brand makes no public PFAS statements; water-repellent coating coatings often contain PFAS, but specific formulation unknown.
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Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent 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 EVOC Ride 12L is constructed from nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating treatments on outdoor textiles are historically applied using PFAS-based fluorochemicals, though some newer formulations use PFAS-free alternatives. Nylon itself is a synthetic polymer generally stable under normal use; the primary chemical concern is the water-repellent coating applied during manufacturing.
The brand's record and disclosure
EVOC is a German outdoor gear manufacturer owned by Helmet Integrated Systems. The company does not publicly disclose the chemistry of its water-repellent coating treatments or provide PFAS-free certification for its backpack line. No major product recalls or chemical safety controversies appear on record for EVOC backpacks. The lack of transparency is typical of mid-market outdoor brands but represents a gap in consumer information.
How it compares in its category
Most nylon backpacks in the 12L segment use untransparent water-repellent coating finishes; EVOC is not an outlier. Brands like Peak Design and some lines of Patagonia offer water-repellent coating transparency or explicit PFAS-free claims. Budget alternatives (uncoated nylon) eliminate water-repellent coating hazard entirely but sacrifice water resistance. Premium outdoor brands increasingly disclose treatment chemistry in response to consumer demand.
If you buy it
Wash the backpack infrequently and use cool water to minimize leaching of water-repellent coating into waterways. Do not dry-clean or apply additional water treatments, which can concentrate PFAS. Inspect seams and coating annually for degradation; a worn water-repellent coating finish poses less leaching risk than an intact one. The backpack is not intended for high-heat use, so heat-related hazards are minimal.
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.”
water-repellent coating degradation and leaching
Nylon water-repellent coating treatments degrade with washing and UV exposure; if fluorochemical-based (undisclosed), leaching occurs during laundering. Rate of leaching depends on unknown coating formulation.
Formaldehyde in dyes or finishing resins
No specific formaldehyde concerns documented for EVOC nylon backpacks. Nylon dyeing can involve formaldehyde-releasing resins, but black nylon (common in this model) typically requires fewer chemical finishes than printed or dyed variants.
Azo dye contamination
EVOC uses industrial-grade dyeing compliant with EU textile regulations, which restrict banned azo dyes. No evidence of non-compliance on record.
Antimony in polyester components
EVOC Ride 12L is primarily nylon; any polyester trim would be minimal and external. Antimony use in polyester catalysts is low-risk at normal exposure levels.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fabric
Nylon microfibers shed when washed, particularly in first 5-10 washes. Magnitude is typical for synthetic textiles and depends on weave density and washing frequency.
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 Gear
Patagonia
Refugio Day Pack 26L
recycled nylon with non-fluorinated water-repellent coating treatment
Lower PFAS concern. Patagonia claims non-fluorinated water-repellent coating on this pack.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More waterproof outdoor gear 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.