Gregory · Portable Outdoor Gear Bags
Gregory Alpaca Gear Box 25 2 Pack Backpack
Backpack uses water-repellent coating; Gregory discloses no PFAS stance.
Gregory backpacks typically employ water-repellent coating finishes on nylon, a common practice in outdoor gear. The brand provides no public PFAS information or testing data.
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Material
Nylon fabric 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
Gregory Alpaca Gear Box uses nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings are applied to textiles to shed water; the composition matters because some formulations historically relied on PFAS chemistry, though many modern treatments now use non-fluorinated alternatives. Nylon itself is a synthetic polymer with no established leaching hazard under normal wear. The 2-pack format suggests these are durable goods intended for repeated use over years.
The brand's record and disclosure
Gregory has not publicly disclosed its water-repellent coating treatment chemistry or PFAS policy, despite growing industry transparency on fluorinated water repellents. The brand is owned by Vista Outdoor (parent of multiple outdoor gear lines) but does not appear to have signed ZDHC Gateway, bluesign, or similar supply-chain certification programs that would certify PFAS-free treatments. No major safety recalls or chemical controversies have been publicly documented for Gregory backpacks in standard safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Mid-market nylon backpacks with water-repellent coating treatment are standard in outdoor gear; Gregory sits in the mainstream segment. Competitors range from budget brands with non-disclosed treatments to premium brands (Patagonia, Arc'teryx) that increasingly certify PFAS-free water-repellent coating or use wax-based alternatives. Gregory's silence on treatment chemistry is typical of mid-tier brands but lags transparency leaders. For a casual-to-moderate-use backpack, the risk profile is not exceptional, but choice opacity is a comparative weakness.
If you buy it
Wash the backpack in cool water with mild detergent before first heavy use to allow any residual finish solvents to rinse out. Avoid dry cleaning, which may add solvents. Do not heat (no dryers or direct sun curing); hang dry in ventilation. Reapply commercial water-repellent coating treatment only when water no longer beads on fabric; this extends life and lets you choose a certified PFAS-free product at that stage. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent nylon degradation.
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
Gregory does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or PFAS status. Nylon backpacks with fluorinated water repellents are still common; PFAS-free alternatives exist but are not confirmed here. Skin contact with treated nylon is unlikely to transfer significant PFAS, but washing may release trace amounts into wastewater.
Formaldehyde in textile finishing resins
No public recalls or complaints document formaldehyde in Gregory nylon packs. Modern nylon finishing rarely uses formaldehyde-based resins, though very early off-gassing from new textile treatments is theoretically possible. Ventilation during first use mitigates any residual odor or vapors.
Azo dyes or heavy metals in pigments
Gregory is a recognized outdoor brand; no documented dye-related safety issues on record. Nylon backpacks are typically dyed with disperse or acid dyes rather than azo compounds, and the brand's market position suggests standard dyehouse compliance with REACH and CPSIA.
Antimony in polyester components
This pack is primarily nylon with likely polyester webbing or reinforcement. Antimony as a polyester catalyst is not known to leach under normal wear or washing of backpacks; no safety issue has been reported for Gregory or similar mid-market packs.
water-repellent coating finish degradation and reapplication toxicity
The original water-repellent coating will degrade with washing and use (typical lifespan 50-100 washes). If you reapply commercial water-repellent coating sprays, ensure the product is PFAS-free certified and apply in ventilation. Some budget aftermarket water-repellent coating products may contain PFAS or unregulated solvents.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 55% 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.
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Lower PFAS concern for bare plastic storage container.
⚠Risky category by default
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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.