Helly Hansen · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Helly Hansen Guide Daypack
water-repellent coating daypack; Helly Hansen silent on PFAS. Skip if concerned.
Helly Hansen does not publicly disclose PFAS use or testing for this daypack. water-repellent coating-treated outdoor packs often contain fluorinated chemicals, though specific formulation unknown. Higher caution warranted without verification.
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
nylon/polyester 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 Guide Daypack is constructed from nylon and polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor gear historically rely on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) to achieve water resistance, though the specific formulation Helly Hansen uses is not publicly disclosed. Nylon and polyester themselves are chemically stable polymers with low leaching risk under normal use; the hazard profile centers on the treatment chemicals rather than the base fabric.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen does not publicly disclose PFAS use, phase-out timelines, or water-repellent coating chemistry for its products. The brand has not pursued third-party certifications (such as Bluesign or OEKO-TEX) that would signal commitment to restricted chemical standards. For a company selling premium outdoor gear, this silence on a well-documented supply-chain issue is notable and limits consumer confidence in the product's chemical safety profile.
How it compares in its category
Most daypacks at this price point use similar nylon/polyester blends with water-repellent coating treatments; Helly Hansen is not an outlier in this respect. Competitors like Patagonia and Arc'teryx have begun disclosing PFAS content and exploring alternatives, setting a higher transparency standard. Budget alternatives may use less durable water-repellent coating or none at all, trading water resistance for reduced chemical exposure. Premium outdoor brands increasingly market PFAS-free or low-PFAS options, making Helly Hansen's silence a competitive disadvantage for chemical-conscious buyers.
If you buy it
Store the pack in a cool, dry place away from prolonged sunlight to preserve the water-repellent coating without accelerating off-gassing. Do not machine wash or dry clean; hand wash only if needed, as aggressive laundering can degrade the coating and release particles. Replace the pack if the water-repellent coating visibly fails (water no longer beads), as re-treatment is not practical for consumers. The nylon and polyester base will outlast the coating by years; end-of-life concerns are primarily the synthetic materials themselves, not acute chemical hazards during use.
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
Helly Hansen does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Industry standard for this product category is fluorocarbon-based repellents; absent explicit confirmation of alternatives, PFAS presence is a reasonable assumption based on manufacturer silence and product class.
Microfiber shedding from synthetic fabric
Nylon and polyester shed microfibers during use and laundering. A daypack experiences friction from shoulder straps, packing, and outdoor contact; the extent of shedding is product-specific and not quantified in available literature for this model.
Coating degradation and particle release
water-repellent coating coatings degrade over 2-5 years of use, especially with UV exposure and washing. Degraded coating fragments are unlikely to pose acute toxicity but represent a source of synthetic particle accumulation in the environment.
Azo dyes in colored nylon/polyester
No specific recalls or documented complaints of azo dye use in Helly Hansen daypacks have been reported. Standard dyeing practices in this category are generally compliant with EU and US regulations, though Helly Hansen does not publish dye chemistry or testing.
Heavy metals in zippers and hardware
Zinc-alloy or stainless-steel hardware is standard in premium daypacks and does not typically leach under normal pack use. No documented issues with Helly Hansen hardware have been identified.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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
Carry Case
Neoprene or polyester with nylon hardware
Lower concern protective case, no known PFAS risk signals.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Keen
Hybrid Transport Backpack Tan Recycled Rice Paper Plastic Daypack
Recycled rice paper, plastic composite, no evident water-resistant coating
Lower concern. Plain materials, no apparent water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.