Keen · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
State Kane Double Pocket Large Backpack
Unknown water-repellent treatment; Keen lacks PFAS transparency.
Keen backpacks typically use durable nylon with unspecified water-resistant finishes. No public PFAS disclosures or certifications available; contact brand for coating details.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon fabric with water-resistant 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
This backpack is nylon fabric with an applied water-resistant coating, a standard construction for outdoor packs. Nylon itself is stable and non-leaching under normal use. The coating is the concern: Keen does not disclose whether it contains PFAS (per/polyfluoroalkyl substances used in water repellency), and the coating can degrade with time and washing, potentially releasing fibers or coating particles. Nylon can also absorb moisture and odors if not dried properly after use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Keen, primarily a footwear and outdoor apparel brand, does not publish detailed material safety data or PFAS avoidance commitments on this product line. The company has not issued recalls related to chemical leaching from backpacks. However, lack of transparency about water-repellent treatment is common across mid-market outdoor brands and makes independent risk assessment difficult. No third-party certifications (Bluesign, GOTS) are noted for this item.
How it compares in its category
Nylon backpacks with coated water resistance are the standard; this is neither premium nor budget-tier. Most competitors (Peak Design, Gregory, even budget brands) use similar nylon-plus-coating construction without disclosing PFAS status either. Higher-end alternatives may use PFAS-free wax treatments or Paraffin coatings, but cost considerably more. This product sits in the typical middle where PFAS risk is unknown but not unusual for the price point.
If you buy it
Wash infrequently and use cold water to minimize coating wear and any potential shedding of treatment. Air dry completely to prevent mold and mildew in the nylon. Inspect seams and coating annually for peeling or flaking; if coating degrades significantly, cleaning becomes harder and water protection fails. Do not machine wash or tumble dry. Plan to replace this pack every 5-7 years depending on use intensity, as coatings degrade and nylon weakens over time.
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.”
Unknown water-repellent coating composition
Keen provides no disclosure of whether the coating contains PFAS or alternative repellents. Unknown treatment on nylon increases uncertainty around leaching behavior, especially with sweat exposure or when wet.
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
As water-resistant coatings wear with use and washing, they can flake or shed particles into contact with skin or into water. Nylon itself does not shed significantly, but the treatment layer can fragment.
Nylon moisture and mold risk
Nylon fabric itself does not harbor mold; however, if stored damp or left wet for extended periods, bacterial or fungal growth can occur in the material, producing odors but not chemical toxins under normal conditions.
Synthetic dyes and finishes in fabric
Nylon backpacks typically use azo dyes and synthetic finishes; no specific recalls or health incidents linked to Keen backpack dyes are on record. Risk of dye transfer or formaldehyde finishing agents is low at normal use.
Heavy metals in stitching or hardware
Zippers, stitching hardware, and metal buckles on backpacks are not regulated for lead or cadmium in most jurisdictions. No testing data or recalls suggest contamination in this model; risk is theoretical but not documented.
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.