Granite Gear · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
Granite Gear Perimeter 35 Backpack
water-repellent coating treatment type unclear; Granite Gear does not disclose PFAS status.
Granite Gear backpacks use water-repellent coating coatings but do not publicly disclose whether PFAS-based or alternative treatments are used. Request direct clarification from the brand.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon with water-repellent coating finish, unknown type
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 Perimeter 35 is constructed from nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the exterior. Nylon itself is a synthetic polymer with a well-established safety record in apparel and gear. The water-repellent coating finish is the variable: it may contain Teflon-type coating (Teflon-based), paraffin wax, or newer fluorocarbon-free alternatives, but Granite Gear does not specify which. The type of water-repellent coating directly affects whether PFAS compounds are present in the material you're carrying and potentially shedding.
The brand's record and disclosure
Granite Gear is a Minnesota-based outdoor gear manufacturer with no public history of major product recalls or safety controversies in the consumer databases. However, the brand does not disclose its chemical supply chain, water-repellent coating treatment sources, or PFAS avoidance commitment on its website or product labels. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is common in the outdoor industry but limits informed decision-making. No third-party certifications (bluesign, OEKO-TEX, or similar) are listed for this product, which would otherwise provide chemical assurance.
How it compares in its category
Nylon backpacks with water-repellent coating finishes are standard in mid-range outdoor gear; the Perimeter 35 is typical in this segment. Premium alternatives (e.g., from brands like Patagonia or Peak Design) sometimes specify PFAS-free or Teflon-type coating-free water-repellent coating, or use waxed cotton blends that eliminate the water-repellent coating chemistry question altogether. Budget alternatives often provide no water-repellent coating or use unspecified treatments. The Granite Gear sits in the middle: functional and affordable, but with the chemical trade-off of unverified water-repellency.
If you buy it
Wash the backpack by hand in cool water before heavy use to reduce any loose water-repellent coating particulates or residues. Avoid high heat (no tumble drying or ironing); air-dry only. The water-repellent coating finish will degrade over 2-3 years with regular use and washing; reapplication with commercial water-repellent coating sprays is available but introduces another product variable. If PFAS exposure is a priority concern, contact Granite Gear directly to request water-repellent coating chemistry details, or consider alternatives with transparent fluorocarbon-free claims.
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 finish composition (PFAS vs. fluorocarbon-free)
The specific water-repellent coating treatment on this model is not disclosed. Legacy water-repellent coating formulations commonly use C8 or C6 PFAS; newer products may use fluorocarbon-free alternatives. Without brand disclosure, presence cannot be ruled out.
Formaldehyde resins in nylon finishing
No reports of formaldehyde-releasing finishes in Granite Gear nylon products. Nylon itself does not require formaldehyde for fiber production, though some finishing processes may use trace resins; no specific issue flagged for this brand.
Azo dyes or heavy metal colorants
Granite Gear does not list azo dyes or heavy metal dye concerns in available product documentation or safety disclosures. Nylon accepts standard commercial dyes; no evidence of restricted substance use in this product line.
Microfiber shedding from synthetic polymer
All nylon textiles shed microscopic fibers during washing and wear, releasing synthetic particles into waterways. The water-repellent coating finish may slightly increase shedding during early use. This is a material-class issue, not brand-specific, but relevant to overall environmental/health impact over product lifetime.
Degradation of coating over time
The water-repellent coating finish on nylon backpacks is not permanent and degrades with regular washing and UV exposure, typically within 2-3 years. As the coating breaks down, the underlying nylon is exposed and performance declines, prompting replacement or re-treatment.
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.