Granite Gear · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
Granite Gear Crown 3 60L Backpack
Granite Gear does not disclose PFAS status; water-repellent coating risk unclear.
Granite Gear's Crown 3 uses water-repellent coating-treated nylon, a common source of PFAS in outdoor gear. No public PFAS disclosure or testing available from the brand.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon fabric with water-repellent coating 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 Crown 3 uses nylon fabric, a petroleum-based synthetic that is chemically stable and does not leach monomers under normal storage or use. The concern is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the nylon surface. Historically, water-repellent coating finishes relied on PFOA or other PFAS chemicals for water shedding; modern alternatives exist (fluorine-free waxes, silicone-based repellents) but Granite Gear does not publicly specify which chemistry they use. The fabric itself poses no established risk from formaldehyde, azo dyes, or antimony.
The brand's record and disclosure
Granite Gear is a smaller outdoor brand without published sustainability or chemical-use statements on their website or product labels as of available records. They do not claim OEKO-TEX, Bluesign, or other textile certifications that would rule out restricted chemicals. No product recalls or safety controversies are documented. The silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of many outdoor brands but represents a gap that conscientious buyers often flag.
How it compares in its category
Many 60L hiking packs in this price range (roughly $200-300 USD) use similar nylon with water-repellent coating finishes and offer no more chemical transparency than Granite Gear. Premium brands like Patagonia and REI Co-op increasingly publish PFC-free commitments or Bluesign certification; budget and mid-tier alternatives often do not. The Crown 3 is competitively typical for disclosure, neither better nor worse than peers.
If you buy it
Use the pack normally for hiking and travel; nylon does not degrade or leach chemicals from body heat or outdoor use. Rinse occasionally with cool water and mild soap to remove dirt and salt; do not machine wash or dry-clean, as heat and solvents may degrade the water-repellent coating faster. The coating will lose water-shedding properties over 3-5 years of heavy use; at that point, you can either replace the pack or retreat it with a PFC-free water-repellent coating product (Nikwax Tx Direct or similar). Store in a dry place to prevent mold.
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
water-repellent coating finish chemistry is undisclosed; historical use of PFOA/PFOS in outdoor gear water-repellent coating is documented, but modern PFAS alternatives or fluorine-free formulations are now common. Granite Gear provides no specification, leaving the specific risk unclear.
Formaldehyde in textile resins
Nylon and polyester fabrics may contain formaldehyde-release resins used in dyes or finishes. No recalls or test results specific to Granite Gear packs are on record; standard apparel-grade nylon typically requires minimal formaldehyde treatment.
Azo dyes
Restricted azo dyes that break down to carcinogens are banned in many textile standards. No specific contamination reported in Granite Gear products. Nylon packs are typically dyed with azo-compliant colorants, though lack of Bluesign or OEKO-TEX certification leaves this unverified.
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
As the water-repellent coating and nylon age under UV and mechanical stress, microfiber particles may shed into soil or water during use and washing. This is a general concern for all synthetic outdoor gear, not specific to Granite Gear, but is less mitigated without published durability or shedding test data.
Lead or cadmium in dyes or finishes
Heavy-metal contamination in textile dyes is rare in products sold in developed markets but unverified here due to lack of third-party testing or certification. No incidents reported for this brand.
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
Granite Gear
Wrought Iron Food Pack
nylon fabric pack, likely uncoated or minimally treated
Food pack likely lower concern; confirm no water-repellent coating with brand.
⚠Risky category by default
More waterproof outdoor 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.