Patagonia · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage
Patagonia Black Hole Cube 3L
Waterproof pack likely treated with PFAS. Patagonia discloses nothing.
Black Hole Cube uses durable nylon with water-resistant finish, typical for outdoor gear. Patagonia does not publicly disclose PFAS status of this water-repellent coating treatment.
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Material
Nylon fabric 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
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 Black Hole Cube is constructed from nylon fabric (likely 100D or similar denier weight) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the exterior. water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor gear are typically fluorine-based compounds (PFAS-class) designed to shed water while maintaining breathability. Nylon itself is a stable synthetic polymer with no established leaching hazard under normal use, but the chemical finish applied to achieve water-repellence is the material-safety concern.
The brand's record and disclosure
Patagonia has built a reputation for environmental and labor transparency, publishing detailed sustainability reports and materials sourcing data. However, the company has not publicly disclosed its water-repellent coating treatment protocols or committed to PFAS-free alternatives for water-repellent products, despite industry awareness of PFAS persistence and toxicity since the 2000s. This silence is notable given competitors (Arc'teryx, some REI Co-op products) have begun switching to fluorine-free water-repellent coating systems. No recalls or safety incidents are documented for this product.
How it compares in its category
Most outdoor packs, cubes, and dry bags in this price tier (USD 40-60) use PFAS-treated nylon or polyester with water-repellent coating. Patagonia's offering is durability-focused and mid-market; premium alternatives like Peak Design or some ultralight brands offer fluorine-free options, though at higher cost and sometimes reduced water shedding. Budget alternatives (generic nylon cubes) typically use similar coatings without any disclosure. The Black Hole line is standard-practice, not exceptional in either direction.
If you buy it
Store dry and away from heat (water-repellent coating coatings can degrade under prolonged high temperature). Washing is not recommended by manufacturer; spot-clean with mild soap and cool water if needed. The water-repellent coating finish will degrade over 3-5 years of regular outdoor use; reapplication products exist but often contain PFAS themselves. If you plan to carry food, use it for gear storage rather than direct food contact to minimize any incidental contact with coating particles.
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 particulate exposure
Nylon water-repellent coating coatings can flake or degrade, especially with abrasion or washing. Contact with food or skin from degraded coating particles is unlikely to cause acute harm but remains unquantified in literature. No recalls or incidents documented for Patagonia Black Hole specifically.
Nylon fiber shedding and microplastics
Repeated abrasion or washing of nylon textiles releases microplastic fibers. The Black Hole is not exposed to aggressive washing (hand-spot-clean only per instructions), so shedding risk is minimal compared to apparel or high-friction gear but not zero.
Dye or finish leaching into food or skin
No evidence of heavy metal dyes or toxic finish leaching from Black Hole Cube under normal dry use. Nylon is chemically stable; risk is low unless product is submerged repeatedly or used for hot-liquid storage.
Off-gassing or volatile organic compounds (VOC)
New nylon fabric may emit minor VOCs (typical new synthetic smell) for days to weeks; this is cosmetic nuisance, not a documented health hazard. Off-gassing is vastly reduced compared to adhesive-heavy products and dissipates quickly with air circulation.
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 Storage
Coleman
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Plastic (polypropylene) cooler body, foam insulation
Lower concern cooler. No known PFAS-treated materials typical.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Coleman
YETI LoadOut 15 GoBox
Rotomolded polyethylene plastic
Lower concern. Hard plastic cooler with no known PFAS-linked coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Coleman
Ezy Storage 5.28 Gallon Small Gasket Tote, Ip68 WaterProof Plastic Storage Bin with Lid, Gasket Seal and Durable Latches
Polypropylene plastic with waterproof gasket seal, coating unspecified
Waterproof plastic storage; PFAS coating risk unclear, no disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More waterproof outdoor gear storage 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.