Ferrino · Waterproof Bags & Luggage
Ferrino Dundee 70 Backpack
Likely water-repellent coating-treated backpack; PFAS use unknown. Limited transparency.
Ferrino Dundee 70 is a multi-day trekking backpack with water-resistant treatment, typical of outdoor gear. Brand does not disclose PFAS status; water-repellent coating coatings often contain fluorochemicals.
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Material
nylon/polyester with water-repellent 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
The Dundee 70 uses nylon and polyester as primary fabrics, both synthetic polymers that are chemically stable under normal use and do not leach monomers into food or skin contact. The durability water repellent (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the exterior is the material concern: water-repellent coating treatments historically rely on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) to achieve water shedding, though newer non-fluorinated alternatives exist. Ferrino has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry is used on this model, leaving PFAS content unknown. Nylon and polyester themselves are not classified as hazardous in finished textile form, but degradation under UV or mechanical stress can fragment into microplastics.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ferrino is an Italian outdoor-gear manufacturer with no published PFAS commitment or PFOA/PFOS avoidance statements on record. The brand does not list certifications such as bluesign or GOTS that would indicate restricted chemical protocols. No major safety recalls or formal hazard investigations of Ferrino backpacks have been documented in public databases. The absence of transparency about water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of mid-tier outdoor brands but represents a gap in consumer information.
How it compares in its category
Most hiking backpacks in the 60-70L capacity range use water-repellent coating-treated nylon or polyester; Ferrino's Dundee 70 is unremarkable in this respect and faces the same unknown-PFAS risk as comparable models from Osprey, Deuter, and Gregory unless they specifically disclose PFAS-free treatments. Brands with transparent PFAS avoidance (e.g. Patagonia Guidewater, Arcteryx with fluorinated-free water-repellent coating marketed variants) command higher prices and represent the safer category standard. Ferrino sits in the mid-price, mid-transparency tier where PFAS use is plausible but unconfirmed.
If you buy it
Store the backpack dry and out of direct sunlight when not in use to slow UV-driven polymer degradation and microplastic shedding. Avoid machine washing; hand clean with lukewarm water and mild soap, then air dry completely before storage to prevent mold and preserve the water-repellent coating. Do not expose to high heat (e.g., radiators, dryers) as nylon and polyester weaken above 70-80°C. If the backpack is used heavily for 2-3 years or shows visible tearing or coating loss, replacement limits exposure to any accumulated microfibers.
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
The Dundee 70 has a water-repellent coating finish typical of water-resistant outdoor gear. Ferrino does not disclose the chemistry; conventional water-repellent coating treatments use PFAS compounds. Modern PFAS alternatives (non-fluorinated) exist but are not confirmed in this model.
Microplastic shedding from nylon/polyester
Nylon and polyester textiles shed microfibers when abraded, flexed, or exposed to UV light. A heavily used backpack will gradually release small plastic particles into the environment and potentially onto skin or into wash water; the risk is cumulative and linked to product lifespan and storage conditions.
Mold and bacterial growth in damp storage
If the backpack is packed damp or stored in humid conditions, fungal and bacterial colonization can occur in the fabric and seams. This does not pose direct toxicity but can degrade material and create odor; proper drying after use mitigates this entirely.
Azo dyes in colored nylon/polyester
Ferrino does not publish dye chemistry for the Dundee 70. Standard commercial azo dyes used in nylon and polyester are regulated in most markets and do not leach significantly under normal use; no known safety incidents documented for this brand or model.
Formaldehyde in textile finishes
Formaldehyde-based resins are sometimes applied to textiles for wrinkle resistance or flame delay. Ferrino has not disclosed use of such finishes on the Dundee 70; outdoor gear typically avoids formaldehyde due to odor and customer sensitivity, but absence of certification leaves this unconfirmed.
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 Bags & Luggage
Watershed
Goforth Dry Duffel
Naturally textured cotton blend with proprietary waterproofing
Reputable brand with stated PFAS-free commitment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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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.