Helly Hansen · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Helly Hansen Dublin 2.0 Backpack
Typical backpack with waterproofing; PFAS details unclear from brand.
Helly Hansen makes quality outdoor gear but does not publicly disclose PFAS use or avoidance in this backpack. water-repellent coating-treated fabrics often contain PFAS, though alternatives exist.
The safe swap
Garmin
Garmin Carry Case
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester/nylon 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
other 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 Dublin 2.0 uses polyester and nylon fabrics treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed moisture. Both base materials are synthetic polymers with established safety records for non-food contact use. water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor gear are historically applied using fluorinated compounds (hence the PFAS concern), though some brands have shifted to fluorine-free alternatives; Helly Hansen has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they use on this model. The coating itself does not directly contact skin during normal use, which lowers acute exposure risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen (owned by Axon Partners Group) is an established Norwegian workwear and outdoor brand with no major product safety recalls on record for their backpacks. The brand does not publicly maintain a detailed chemical disclosure policy or PFAS roadmap comparable to leading outdoor competitors like Patagonia or The North Face. On PFAS specifically, Helly Hansen's stance is silent; they provide no technical data sheets or material certifications that confirm fluorine-free water-repellent coating use. This lack of transparency is typical for mid-tier outdoor brands but leaves buyers without confirmation of their waterproofing approach.
How it compares in its category
Backpacks in this price and segment typically use either fluorinated PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings (most common, lowest cost) or emerging fluorine-free alternatives (rarer, higher cost). Helly Hansen sits in the mainstream tier where PFAS-coated fabrics remain standard. Competing brands like Arc'teryx, Osprey, and some REI Co-op models increasingly market PFAS-free or certified alternatives, making the Dublin 2.0 less differentiated on environmental and health transparency. For a purely functional backpack without special chemical certification claims, this product carries typical category-level risk rather than elevated or reduced risk.
If you buy it
Wash the backpack by hand with cool water and mild detergent; avoid machine washing or heat drying, which can degrade coatings and potentially shed microfibers. Do not expose it to high heat (direct sun for extended periods, dryers, or near flames) as synthetic fabrics can warp and coatings may off-gas. Inspect seams and coating annually for tears or peeling; damaged waterproofing coatings cannot be safely reapplied at home and should be accepted as end-of-life wear. If you prioritize chemical transparency, contact Helly Hansen directly to request water-repellent coating specifications before purchase.
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 composition (fluorinated vs. fluorine-free)
Helly Hansen does not disclose whether the Dublin 2.0 uses PFAS-based or fluorine-free water-repellent coating. Coatings on outdoor polyester/nylon fabrics are frequently fluorinated; fluorine-free alternatives exist but are less common at this price point. No direct skin contact during normal backpack use reduces acute exposure.
Synthetic microfiber shedding
No recalls or studies specific to the Dublin 2.0 for microfiber release. Polyester/nylon backpacks shed fibers when abraded or washed; the quantity is typical for the material class and not documented as a safety hazard for this product.
Coating degradation and residue leaching
As water-repellent coating coatings age and wear, their chemical composition can break down into smaller molecules. Risk of leaching into water or soil is theoretical rather than documented for this specific model; occurs primarily during washing or in extended field conditions.
Azo dyes in polyester fabric
Helly Hansen does not disclose dye chemistry for the Dublin 2.0. Polyester textiles can use azo dyes, some of which break down into aromatic amines under certain conditions. No specific recalls or test data exists for this product.
Heavy metal contamination in dyes or hardware
Zippers and metal hardware on backpacks may contain trace metals (zinc, nickel, lead in some manufacturing contexts). No recalls or hazard reports exist for Helly Hansen backpacks; compliance with consumer product safety standards is presumed based on brand history and market availability.
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 & Luggage
Garmin
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Lower concern protective case, no known PFAS risk signals.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Keen
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Lower concern. Plain materials, no apparent water-repellent coating treatment.
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More waterproof outdoor bags & luggage 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.