Granite Gear · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
Granite Gear Dagger
Outdoor apparel likely has water-repellent coating treatment; brand silent on PFAS composition.
Granite Gear Dagger is nylon outerwear with water-repellent finish typical of outdoor gear. Manufacturer provides no public disclosure about PFAS or water-repellent coating chemistry, limiting assessment certainty.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) 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 Dagger is a nylon shell jacket treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to shed water and resist staining. Nylon itself is chemically stable and does not leach harmful substances under normal wear. However, the water-repellent coating is the critical unknown: while traditional fluorinated water-repellent coating (containing PFAS) provides superior water resistance, some manufacturers now use PFAS-free alternatives like polyurethane or wax-based systems. Granite Gear's product literature does not specify which water-repellent coating chemistry is used.
The brand's record and disclosure
Granite Gear is a Minnesota-based outdoor pack and apparel manufacturer with a history of durability focus rather than transparency on chemical composition. The company has not published a public PFAS policy, chemical disclosure statement, or commitment to phasing fluorinated water-repellent coating finishes. No major recalls or safety controversies involving the Dagger or similar nylon jackets from this brand are on record. This silence on water-repellent coating composition is typical of outdoor brands that have not faced consumer pressure on PFAS, but it limits your ability to verify what you are purchasing.
How it compares in its category
Most outdoor nylon shell jackets in this price and performance tier use either fluorinated water-repellent coating (legacy standard, high water resistance, PFAS concern) or newer PFAS-free alternatives (lower initial water resistance, improved safety profile). Brands like Patagonia and Arc'teryx now disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or commit to PFAS-free finishes; Granite Gear does not. For a functional nylon shell, the Dagger is typical in durability and cost, but ranks lower in transparency compared to premium competitors.
If you buy it
Wash infrequently in cool water with mild detergent; aggressive washing accelerates water-repellent coating degradation and may increase microfiber shedding. Avoid fabric softeners and heat drying, which damage nylon and water-repellent coating coatings. water-repellent coating effectiveness fades after 50, 100 washes; when water no longer beads, re-application sprays (fluorinated or PFAS-free) are available. Store dry in a cool closet; nylon does not degrade significantly over time if kept out of direct UV light and heat.
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.”
Formaldehyde resins
Nylon apparel does not typically use formaldehyde-based finishes. water-repellent coating coatings and dyes may contain residual formaldehyde in some manufacturing processes, but no specific reports exist for Granite Gear Dagger or comparable nylon shells.
Azo dyes
The Dagger is available in neutral colors (typically black, grey, tan); high-risk azo dyes are most common in bright synthetic dyes. No specific azo dye safety alerts are on record for this product or brand.
Antimony in polyester
The Dagger is nylon, not polyester. Antimony trioxide is a polyester catalyst; it does not apply to this product.
Microfiber and microplastic shedding
All synthetic nylon textiles shed microfibers during washing and wear. water-repellent coating-coated nylon may shed slightly more during abrasion than uncoated nylon. Washing infrequently and using gentle cycles reduces shedding; this is not unique to Granite Gear but inherent to the material class.
Flame retardant chemicals
Nylon shell jackets are not typically treated with flame retardants unless specifically marketed as fire-resistant. No flame retardant treatment is indicated for the Dagger, and the brand has not disclosed such use.
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.