NRS · Waterproof Bags & Luggage
NRS Bill's 65L Dry Bag
Dry bag with water-repellent coating; PFAS status undisclosed by NRS.
NRS Bill's 65L is a PVC dry bag with water-repellent coating treatment typical of waterproof gear. NRS does not publicly disclose PFAS content or coating chemistry, limiting confidence in lower-risk status.
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Material
PVC tarpaulin 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
NRS Bill's 65L uses PVC tarpaulin as the core material, which is inherently stable and does not leach phthalates or BPA under normal storage and water-contact conditions. The critical component is the water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the fabric; NRS does not publicly disclose whether this coating contains PFAS compounds, which are common in outdoor gear water-repellent coating treatments. PVC itself poses minimal hazard in a dry bag context since it is not heated, ingested, or in prolonged skin contact.
The brand's record and disclosure
NRS (Northwest River Supplies) is an established outdoor gear manufacturer with a longstanding reputation for quality but has not published transparency reports on PFAS use in their coatings or commitments to PFAS-free alternatives. The company does not advertise certifications such as Bluesign or OEKO-TEX on this product. This silence around water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of many paddling-gear brands but leaves consumers without clear information about whether PFAS exposure occurs during normal handling.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial dry bags in the 60+ liter range use either PVC-coated materials (like this one) or polyurethane-coated fabrics, both of which commonly employ PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes for water shedding. A few emerging brands (e.g., Sea to Summit with Hypalon-based products) are exploring PFAS-free alternatives, but they command higher prices. For the price point and durability reputation, NRS is mid-market; the lack of PFAS disclosure puts it in line with most competitors rather than ahead.
If you buy it
Use the bag for its intended purpose (waterproof storage in paddling) without exposing it to direct flame or prolonged heat above 40°C (104°F), as PVC can degrade at elevated temperatures. Rinse with fresh water after saltwater use to minimize salt crystallization in seams. Inspect the coating annually for peeling or flaking; if the water-repellent coating visibly fails, the bag's water resistance declines but chemical leaching risk remains low. Store in a cool, dry place and avoid prolonged UV exposure, which can crack the PVC 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.”
water-repellent coating degradation and loss of water repellency
PVC-tarpaulin dry bags naturally shed water-repellent coating coatings after 2-5 years of use. While this does not release hazardous substances into water, it signals the bag is nearing end of life and may allow unintended water intrusion.
PVC thermal stability (heat-related decomposition)
If stored in direct sunlight or near heat sources above 50°C (122°F), PVC can release hydrogen chloride and other volatile compounds. This is unlikely in normal storage but possible in hot vehicles or near camp fires.
Phthalate exposure from PVC (minimal in this use case)
Modern PVC dry bags typically use non-phthalate plasticizers; NRS does not disclose which type is used in this product. Skin contact and water immersion do not pose known leaching risk for this application.
Seam integrity and water-tightness failure
Some users report that seams can degrade or fail after heavy use, allowing water to seep into the bag and potentially contact stored items. This is a functional defect rather than a chemical hazard.
Undisclosed PFAS in water-repellent coating
NRS does not confirm or deny PFAS use in the Bill's 65L water-repellent coating finish. Typical industry practice suggests a high likelihood of PFAS presence, making skin contact and product off-gassing a concern for sensitive individuals; graded separately at 20/100.
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 Bags & Luggage
Watershed
Goforth Dry Duffel
Naturally textured cotton blend with proprietary waterproofing
Reputable brand with stated PFAS-free commitment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More waterproof 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.