MSR · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Bags
New MSR US Military Pack Shower 30L Camping Shower Dry Bag MSR-03485
Dry bags use water-repellent coating; skip until MSR discloses coating details.
MSR shower dry bags likely use durable water-resistant coating but provide no PFAS transparency. Without material disclosure or testing data, elevated concern exists for water-repellent coating-treated nylon products.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon dry bag with 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
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
This is a nylon fabric dry bag treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed water without sealing seams. Nylon itself is a thermoplastic polyamide that does not leach known endocrine disruptors when used at room temperature and is chemically stable in normal camping conditions. The water-repellent coating treatment is the chemical variable: historically, most performance outdoor dry bags used PFOA-based fluorinated coatings, though some brands have shifted to PFAS-free alternatives. MSR has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they use for the MSR-03485, leaving the water-repellent coating safety profile unverified.
The brand's record and disclosure
MSR (Mountain Safety Research, owned by Cascade Designs) does not maintain a public stance on PFAS in its product line or a transparent chemical disclosure policy. No recalls or safety violations specific to PFAS or chemical leaching are documented for MSR dry bags. The brand's silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of many outdoor gear manufacturers who have not yet committed to ingredient transparency, though industry leaders like Arc'teryx and some Patagonia lines have begun phasing PFAS-based treatments.
How it compares in its category
Nylon dry bags are standard in camping and water sports; the MSR-03485 is a mid-tier capacity product (30L) competing against similar offerings from Sea to Summit, Granite Gear, and others. Most competitors also use undisclosed water-repellent coating coatings, making this product representative of a broader category transparency gap. A small number of PFAS-free alternatives (e.g., wax-canvas or silicone-coated bags) exist but are less common and may trade water performance for environmental safety.
If you buy it
Wash the bag gently with cool water and mild soap; do not machine wash or tumble dry, as heat and abrasion can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially release or concentrate residual coating particles. The bag is not designed for contact with drinking water or food storage, so it poses no ingestion risk. Replace it when seams begin to leak or the water-repellent coating visibly flakes; typical lifespan is 3-7 years with moderate use. If water-repellent coating transparency is a priority, contact MSR directly to request coating specifications 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.”
water-repellent coating composition (undisclosed)
MSR has not published the specific water-repellent coating chemistry used on this bag. If fluorinated (PFOA, PFOS, or similar PFAS), it may leach or off-gas at low levels during manufacturing or aggressive washing; if non-fluorinated, risk is minimal. Absence of brand disclosure prevents definitive hazard rating.
Formaldehyde resins in nylon finishing
Nylon fabric may receive formaldehyde-based dyes or finishes during manufacturing, but this is not documented as a concern for MSR's dry bags or nylon textiles used in outdoor gear. No recalls or complaints on record.
Azo dyes in fabric coloring
The bag is typically offered in neutral colors (black, gray) common in technical nylon. Azo dye toxicity is rare in outdoor gear manufacturers meeting basic safety standards, and no issues are reported for MSR.
Microplastics shedding from nylon fiber degradation
Nylon fibers can shed microplastics when abraded or washed, particularly if the bag is machine washed or stored in high-friction conditions. This risk is inherent to all synthetic dry bags and is not specific to MSR, but is relevant if the bag is used in or near aquatic environments.
Antimony in polyester components (if present)
MSR-03485 is primarily nylon; if any polyester straps or accents are present, antimony catalysts used in polyester synthesis could theoretically leach. No evidence of this in documented product composition or safety complaints.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.