MSR · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Bags
MR. Dry Bag 2.0
Dry bag with water-repellent coating, PFAS status unclear; ask MSR directly.
MSR's Dry Bag 2.0 uses ripstop nylon with water-resistant treatment but does not disclose PFAS or water-repellent coating chemistry. No public lab testing available for this product.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Ripstop nylon with water-repellent coating treatment
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
clothing 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 MR. Dry Bag 2.0 uses ripstop nylon, a tightly woven polyamide fabric reinforced with thicker yarns to resist tearing. It is treated with a water-repellent (water-repellent coating) finish, which is the main chemical concern: water-repellent coating coatings are often applied using fluorinated compounds, though some manufacturers now use non-fluorinated alternatives. MSR has not publicly disclosed whether their water-repellent coating treatment contains PFAS or is PFAS-free. The ripstop nylon itself poses minimal risk if used as intended (the polymer is inert when not heated).
The brand's record and disclosure
MSR (Mountain Safety Research, owned by Cascade Designs) is a reputable outdoor gear manufacturer but has not published transparent statements on PFAS use in their product line. The company does not list PFAS certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign) for this product on available product pages. Direct contact with MSR is the only reliable way to confirm the water-repellent coating chemistry used on the Dry Bag 2.0.
How it compares in its category
Ripstop nylon dry bags are industry standard for outdoor gear; this material choice is safer than PVC alternatives, which can off-gas phthalates. Many competitor brands (Patagonia, Black Diamond) now offer PFAS-free or transparently labeled water-repellent coating options. The MR. Dry Bag 2.0 does not stand out as a leader in chemical transparency, placing it in the middle of the market for safety disclosure.
If you buy it
Store the bag away from heat and direct sunlight when not in use to avoid accelerating any coating degradation. Before purchase, email MSR customer service asking specifically whether the water-repellent coating treatment is PFAS-free; if they cannot confirm, consider alternatives with certified non-fluorinated coatings. Rinse the bag gently with cool water after use in salt water, as salt can degrade water-repellent coating finishes over time. Replace the bag if the coating shows visible peeling or cracking, as this may increase particle shedding.
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.”
water-repellent coating PFAS content (non-PFAS assessment)
If the water-repellent coating treatment uses older fluorinated formulations, it may shed micro-particles or leach fluorinated compounds into water or skin contact over extended use. MSR's silence on this chemistry is the primary flag.
Formaldehyde resins in fabric finishing
No documented formaldehyde resin use reported in ripstop nylon dry bags; industrial nylon finishing typically avoids formaldehyde. Standard textile risk but not confirmed in this product.
Azo dyes
No public recall or testing data for restricted azo dyes in MSR ripstop products. Outdoor gear nylon is typically dyed with reactive dyes, which carry lower regulatory concern than azo.
Coating degradation and particle shedding
water-repellent coating coatings on any nylon bag degrade with age, heat, and UV exposure. As the coating wears, loose polymer particles and residual coating chemicals may shed into contents or handling environments; this is a documented aging hazard for all treated fabrics, not unique to MSR.
Antimony in polyester/nylon
Ripstop nylon does not typically contain antimony catalysts (those are primarily used in polyester production). Risk is negligible for this material class.
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 Gear Bags
Marmot
Tool Box
Nylon, polyester, cotton blend; details unspecified
Toolbox, not garment. Check product specs for water-repellent coating.
⚠Risky category by default
More waterproof outdoor gear bags 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.