Outdoor Products · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Bags
Outdoor Products Dry Bag Backpack
Skip until brand discloses waterproof coating composition.
Dry bags require waterproof treatments that commonly use PFAS. Brand makes no public disclosure of coating chemistry or PFAS status, creating moderate uncertainty for a wet-use product.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon or polyester with waterproof coating, type 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
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 backpack is constructed from nylon or polyester fabric with an applied waterproof coating, but Outdoor Products does not publicly specify the coating chemistry. Waterproofing on textiles is commonly achieved with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishes or polyurethane/PVC laminates. The unidentified coating is the primary safety variable: it determines whether PFAS chemicals, formaldehyde releasers, or other volatile organics are present. Without disclosure, you cannot verify safety.
The brand's record and disclosure
Outdoor Products maintains minimal public material safety documentation. The company has not published waterproof coating composition, material sourcing standards, or chemical compliance statements on product pages or sustainability reports. No third-party certifications (OEKO-TEX, bluesign, etc.) are reported for this line. This silence on coating chemistry is the primary red flag, as it prevents assessment of PFAS or other hazard classes.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream outdoor dry bags (Osprey, Patagonia, Decathlon) now disclose waterproof coating type or hold bluesign or OEKO-TEX certification. Outdoor Products' lack of transparency is below category standard. Budget brands often use older PVC or older-generation water-repellent coating chemistry; premium brands increasingly adopt PFAS-free alternatives. This product's positioning and silence suggest cost-optimized materials without modern environmental screening.
If you buy it
Do not machine wash at high heat; hand rinse in cold water to minimize coating degradation and leaching. Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources; prolonged exposure can accelerate polymer breakdown. Inspect seams and coating annually for cracks, peeling, or delamination; discontinue use if coating integrity fails, as interior moisture migration increases. Request coating composition from customer service before purchase; brand silence warrants skepticism.
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.”
Azo dyes in polyester/nylon
Polyester and nylon fabrics may be dyed with azo colorants, some of which release aromatic amines under sweat and friction. Outdoor Products does not publish dye safety certifications. Risk is low for occasional use but higher if backpack contacts skin for extended periods or in warm, damp conditions.
Formaldehyde-releasing resins in fabric finish
Nylon/polyester textiles are sometimes treated with formaldehyde resins to enhance water resistance or stiffness. Outdoor Products does not specify finish chemistry. Off-gassing is typically minimal in outdoor gear but may occur if product is new and stored in warm, enclosed spaces before use.
Waterproof coating degradation and leaching
The unspecified waterproof coating will degrade with heat, UV exposure, and washing. Breakdown products may leach into water, soil, or skin contact areas. Risk severity depends on coating type (PVC and older water-repellent coating finishes leach more readily than polyurethane or PFAS-free alternatives), which remains unknown.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from coating
Polyurethane and PVC coatings emit VOCs during curing and storage. A new dry bag may have a chemical smell, indicating off-gassing. Outdoor Products does not report VOC content or off-gassing test results. Off-gassing typically subsides within days of opening and airing the product.
Antimony in polyester stabilizers
Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst and flame retardant in some polyester. Outdoor Products does not disclose antimony use. Risk is generally low in polyester textiles (antimony is bonded into polymer chains), but no testing data for this brand is publicly available.
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.