Lowepro · Waterproof Camera & Lens Cases
Lowepro Hardside CS 60 Camera Case
Unknown coating on hardside case. Manufacturer provides no PFAS disclosure.
Lowepro does not publicly disclose PFAS use or avoidance in this hardside camera case. The waterproof coating is unspecified, raising uncertainty about potential PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments.
The safe swap
GoPro
GoPro Mission 1 Protective Housing
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
Hard polypropylene shell, fabric lining, waterproof coating (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 Lowepro Hardside CS 60 uses injection-molded polypropylene (PP) for its shell, a thermoplastic that is chemically stable and does not leach BPA or phthalates under normal storage conditions. The interior fabric lining is standard polyester or nylon, neither of which presents acute hazards at room temperature. The critical unknown is the waterproof or water-resistant coating applied to the exterior or seams, which manufacturers often do not disclose publicly and may contain PFAS compounds used as water-repellent surfactants.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lowepro, owned by Vitec Group, does not publish a public PFAS policy or material safety disclosures for consumer camera cases. The brand has not faced major recalls for chemical hazards in hard cases. However, the lack of transparency around the waterproof coating formulation is a notable gap in responsible manufacturing communication, especially given widespread industry knowledge that many water-resistant polymer coatings rely on PFAS chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Hard-shell camera cases are functionally similar across brands (Pelican, Nanuk, Lowepro) and nearly all employ proprietary, undisclosed waterproof treatments. Lowepro cases are mid-market; premium brands like Pelican occasionally provide material certifications but rarely disclose PFAS status. Fabric or foam-lined soft cases avoid the coating issue entirely but offer less physical protection. This product sits in the typical transparency gap for the category.
If you buy it
Store the case indoors at normal temperatures; polypropylene does not degrade or leach from heat unless exposed to sustained high temperature (above 100°C), which is not a realistic indoor storage scenario. Do not place hot electronics directly into the case before they cool. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight on the exterior, as UV can embrittle the plastic over years. If the waterproof coating begins to peel or flake, replacement may be warranted to restore protection, not for chemical safety reasons.
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 waterproof coating (non-disclosed)
Manufacturer does not publicly disclose the waterproof coating formulation. Many hard-case manufacturers use PFAS-based water repellents; without transparency, presence cannot be ruled out but is not confirmed.
Polypropylene leaching (general polymer)
Polypropylene does not leach BPA, BPS, or phthalates under normal storage conditions. No chemical leaching hazard is documented for this material class in consumer camera cases.
Microplastics from polymer degradation
Hard polypropylene cases are rigid and do not shed microplastics during normal use or storage. Degradation into microparticles requires sustained mechanical stress or extended UV exposure, neither typical for an indoor camera case.
Fabric lining off-gassing or dyes
Standard polyester or nylon linings in camera cases do not off-gas formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds at detectable levels under indoor storage. No azo dye safety concerns have been reported for this product category.
Heavy metal contamination in plastic or dyes
Polypropylene does not inherently contain cadmium or lead. No documented recalls or testing has identified heavy metal contamination in Lowepro hard cases.
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 Camera & Lens Cases
GoPro
Mission 1 Protective Housing
Polycarbonate and silicone housing, lens glass
Lower concern. Standard action camera housing with minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof camera & lens cases 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.