Helly Hansen · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Helly Hansen Stockholm Backpack
Backpack likely contains water-repellent coating treatment; brand discloses nothing about PFAS.
Helly Hansen Stockholm is a technical outdoor backpack with water-repellent coating. Brand does not publicly disclose PFAS status; water-repellent coating treatments often contain PFAS but 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
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating 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 Stockholm uses nylon and polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFAS chemistry (PFAS "forever chemicals") to achieve water-shedding performance, though some manufacturers have transitioned to fluorine-free alternatives without public disclosure of which type Helly Hansen uses. The base fabrics themselves (nylon, polyester) are stable synthetic polymers with low chemical leaching risk under normal dry conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen has not published ingredient transparency for this backpack or clear commitments to PFAS phase-out. The brand markets the Stockholm as a performance outdoor product but does not specify whether the water-repellent coating treatment is traditional fluorinated, fluorine-free, or wax-based. Industry pressure on outdoor gear makers to disclose and eliminate PFAS has grown since 2020, yet Helly Hansen's silence on this product suggests legacy formulations remain in use.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-range nylon backpacks carry similar water-repellent coating uncertainty. Competitors like Patagonia and some REI Co-op models explicitly market fluorine-free water treatments. Helly Hansen's lack of transparency places it below the disclosure standard set by leading outdoor brands but aligned with many mass-market alternatives that do not publicly address PFAS content.
If you buy it
Avoid washing or exposing the backpack to heat sources, as both may increase PFAS leaching from the water-repellent coating layer. Store it dry in cool conditions and replace the product if the water-repellent coating visibly degrades or becomes patchy, which may indicate breakdown of the chemical treatment. If water resistance declines, resist re-treating it at home with aftermarket water-repellent coating sprays, which often contain additional PFAS or other fluorochemicals.
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
water-repellent coating finish on nylon/polyester outdoor gear is statistically associated with fluorinated PFAS unless explicitly labeled otherwise. Helly Hansen's silence on formulation suggests legacy chemistry.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers
Nylon and polyester fibers can release microplastics during normal wear and washing, though backpacks shed less than textiles due to high denier density. Risk increases with age and abrasion.
Azo dye toxicity in colored fabrics
Helly Hansen does not publish dye sourcing or compliance with restricted substance lists. Standard polyester and nylon backpacks typically comply with EU and US azo-dye bans, but independent testing is not on record for this specific product.
Degradation of coating integrity over time
water-repellent coating coatings on performance backpacks degrade with UV exposure and washing, potentially releasing encapsulated chemical residues. Longevity and end-of-life hazard depend on storage conditions and care practices.
Heavy metals in dyes and hardware
Zippers and metal fittings are not documented as sources of lead or cadmium leaching in Helly Hansen backpacks. No recall history found for this product class from the brand.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 40% 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.