REI · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage
Pelican V200C Vault Equipment Case
Equipment case; waterproof seals likely contain PFAS. Avoid if concerned.
Pelican cases use waterproof gaskets and seals to protect equipment. These components commonly contain PFAS-based water repellents, but Pelican provides no PFAS disclosure or testing data.
The safe swap
REI
Humangear Stax
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its A.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polypropylene shell with waterproof gasket seals
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 Pelican V200C uses a polypropylene (PP) shell, a thermoplastic polymer that is chemically inert at room temperature and resistant to moisture, making it ideal for protective equipment cases. The waterproof gasket seals are the material concern: these elastomeric seals almost certainly contain fluorinated compounds (likely PFAS-based Teflon-family coating or aqueous film-forming foams in the manufacturing process) to achieve water repellency, though Pelican does not publicly disclose gasket chemistry. Polypropylene itself does not leach BPA, phthalates, or metals under normal storage conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican Products (parent company) and REI's Pelican offering provide no public documentation of PFAS content, material safety data sheets for gaskets, or independent third-party testing for this case. REI as a retailer does not typically impose PFAS restrictions on hard goods suppliers, and Pelican has not adopted fluorine-free seal alternatives as a marketed standard. Neither brand has faced reported recalls for this product category tied to chemical leaching or off-gassing.
How it compares in its category
Hard-sided equipment cases universally rely on waterproof gaskets; most major brands (Pelican, Storm Case, Apache) use similar seal chemistries without public transparency. Soft-sided or rigid cases without gaskets avoid this hazard entirely but sacrifice waterproofing. This Pelican case is mid-range for PFAS risk within its category because the gasket seal is confined and not in direct food contact, limiting exposure routes compared to cookware or food storage.
If you buy it
Store the case indoors at room temperature away from heat sources; polypropylene begins to soften above 140°F (60°C), and heating could accelerate gasket degradation and potential leaching. Do not use for food or beverage storage. Inspect gaskets annually for cracks, hardening, or discoloration; replace if visibly deteriorated to maintain the waterproof seal and reduce risk of older material breakdown. Clean gaskets with mild soap and water, not solvents, to avoid unnecessary chemical stress.
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.”
PFAS in waterproof gasket seals
Elastomeric waterproof seals in hard cases typically contain fluorinated polymers or PFAS-based manufacturing residues. Pelican does not disclose gasket chemistry; risk is confined but present if seals degrade or are disposed of improperly.
Polypropylene thermal degradation
If exposed to sustained heat above 140°F, the PP shell and gasket seals may soften and leach plasticizers or break down, though this is unlikely in typical storage use. Not designed for heated environments or dishwasher/autoclave conditions.
Gasket material degradation over time
User reports and product reviews document gasket hardening, cracking, and loss of waterproof function after 5-10 years of use; this degradation may release or expose the seal material and warrant replacement.
Off-gassing or odor from new case
No documented off-gassing complaints specific to this Pelican model; polypropylene and modern gasket formulations typically emit minimal volatile organic compounds, though new polymer items may have slight initial odor.
Microplastic shedding from shell wear
Polypropylene is brittle over time and may shed microplastics if the case is heavily scratched or dropped; risk is low for stored items but higher if contents are packed with sharp edges or if the case is used in abrasive outdoor environments.
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
REI
Humangear Stax
polypropylene plastic
Lower concern. Polypropylene stacking containers lack PFAS triggers.
✓Naturally PFAS-free material
REI
DECKED Sixer 16 D-co Case
Plastic case (DECKED cooler construction)
Rigid plastic case, likely lower concern but no PFAS disclosure available.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Coleman
Chiller Cooler
Plastic (polypropylene) cooler body, foam insulation
Lower concern cooler. No known PFAS-treated materials typical.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.