Helly Hansen · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Helly Hansen The Ocean Race Dry Pack
water-repellent coating dry pack likely uses PFAS; brand discloses nothing.
Helly Hansen Ocean Race Dry Pack is a waterproof duffel bag using water-repellent coating standard in marine gear. Brand provides no PFAS disclosure or alternatives; typical water-resistant packs contain fluorocarbons.
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 waterproof 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 Ocean Race Dry Pack is constructed from nylon and polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to achieve waterproofing. water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor gear are almost universally PFAS-based, though Helly Hansen has not published specifics for this product. Nylon and polyester themselves are stable polymers with low migration risk under normal dry-pack use; the concern centers entirely on the fluorochemical treatment.
The brand's record and disclosure
Helly Hansen has not made public commitments to PFAS phase-out or disclosed whether specific products contain PFAS, despite being a major outdoor apparel brand. The company has faced no documented recalls or regulatory action tied to this product line. However, lack of transparency around water-repellent coating composition is now a recognized industry gap, with many competitors (Arc'teryx, Patagonia, The North Face) moving toward PFAS-free alternatives or explicit labeling.
How it compares in its category
Dry packs and roll-top waterproof bags typically use PFAS-based water-repellent coating unless explicitly marketed as PFAS-free. Helly Hansen's silence on this issue places it in the mainstream of conventional outdoor gear, though not ahead. Several smaller brands and some major manufacturers now offer PFAS-free dry packs using alternative water-repellent technologies (silicone, wax, or fluorine-free polymers), making this a category where PFAS-free alternatives do exist.
If you buy it
Use the pack as intended: dry storage for clothing and gear during water activities. Do not wash repeatedly or aggressively; rinse with plain water if needed. Avoid prolonged contact with food or skin, especially for children. If water-repellent coating performance degrades, replace the pack rather than attempting to re-coat at home. Check Helly Hansen's website or contact customer service directly if you need specific coating composition information 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.”
Nylon fiber shedding and microplastics (low use)
Nylon gear can shed microfibers during washing and use, especially if abraded. For a dry pack, risk is minimal during normal dry storage; concern increases only if the pack is washed frequently or used in abrasive conditions.
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication uncertainty
PFAS-based water-repellent coating coats degrade with use and washing, typically lasting 1-3 years. If users reapply consumer water-repellent coating products, they may introduce additional PFAS or other waterproofing chemicals; Helly Hansen offers no official guidance on this for this model.
Polyester photodegradation and leachates (outdoor storage)
Polyester degrades slowly under UV exposure; no specific hazard is documented for this product. Relevant only if the pack is left in direct sunlight for extended periods rather than stored indoors.
Dye migration or heavy metals in synthetic textiles
No recalls or testing data specific to Helly Hansen dry packs indicate dye toxicity or heavy metal contamination. Industry-wide, synthetic textiles are generally lower-risk than natural fibers for these contaminants.
PFAS in water-repellent coating waterproof coating (graded separately)
water-repellent coating on this pack almost certainly contains PFAS (likely C6 or C8 fluorochemicals). Brand silence and lack of PFAS-free labeling confirm no commitment to alternatives. Exposure pathway is dermal contact and potential water leaching if coating breaks down.
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
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.