Helly Hansen · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Helly Hansen Resistor Backpack
Skip until brand discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or verifies PFAS-free.
Helly Hansen does not publicly disclose PFAS status or water-repellent coating treatment chemistry for this backpack. Standard outdoor water-repellent coating coatings often contain PFAS, but unconfirmed here.
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 with water-repellent coating, composition unspecified
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 Resistor is constructed from polyester fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. The specific water-repellent coating chemistry is not disclosed by Helly Hansen. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFAS compounds, though some modern alternatives exist; without transparency, the presence of PFAS cannot be ruled out. Polyester itself is not inherently hazardous, but the finish applied to it is the primary concern here.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen does not publicly disclose water-repellent coating chemistry or commit to PFAS-free manufacturing on this product line. The brand has not published a formal statement on PFAS phase-out or material transparency for backpacks as of available records. This silence on a known industry issue represents a disclosure gap rather than a confirmed safety failure. Consumers seeking certainty should contact the brand directly or choose competitors with explicit PFAS-free claims.
How it compares in its category
Many backpack manufacturers now offer PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives (e.g., wax-based or fluorine-free coatings) and some disclose this openly. Helly Hansen's lack of transparency places this product in a middle ground: it is not flagged for known harm, but it offers less assurance than brands making explicit commitments. For outdoor-gear buyers concerned about water-repellent coatings, this represents a trade-off between Helly Hansen's durability reputation and chemical uncertainty.
If you buy it
Care for the backpack normally; no special precautions are needed for polyester. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct heat sources, as polyester degrades above 160C. Machine wash at low temperature if needed to preserve the water-repellent coating longevity. If PFAS concern becomes a dealbreaker after purchase, contact Helly Hansen for water-repellent coating confirmation or request a return; most retailers allow this for transparency-related concerns.
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 (unconfirmed presence)
water-repellent coating formulation not disclosed. Helly Hansen has not confirmed use of PFAS-free alternatives. Historical industry practice involved PFAS; absence of statement does not guarantee avoidance. Graded separately at 40/100; this section notes the inference only.
Polyester degradation from heat/UV
Standard polyester backpacks show no reported safety failures under normal use. Prolonged sun exposure or washing above 60C may reduce fabric lifespan, but no toxic release is documented.
water-repellent coating wear and reapplication
As the coating wears, water repellency decreases but no hazardous substance is released. Reapplication of consumer water-repellent coating sprays is optional and not required for safety.
Dye or finish contamination (azo dyes, formaldehyde)
Polyester apparel and bags typically undergo standard textile finishing. No specific recalls or warnings exist for Helly Hansen backpacks. Standard testing under OEKO-TEX or similar would be needed to confirm absence; none is published by the brand.
Microplastic shedding from polyester
Polyester textile sheds fibers during washing, contributing to environmental microplastic load. This is a systemic material property, not specific to Helly Hansen, and does not pose direct consumer health risk during normal use.
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.