Salomon · Waterproof Outdoor Gear
Salomon Aerotrek 48 Backpack
Outdoor backpack with likely water-repellent coating treatment; PFAS status unclear.
Salomon's Aerotrek 48 uses ripstop nylon with water-repellent coating, standard for outdoor packs. No public disclosure about PFAS content or safer alternatives.
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Material
Ripstop nylon 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
The Aerotrek 48 uses ripstop nylon as its primary fabric, a tightly woven polyamide chosen for tear and abrasion resistance. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to this nylon is the key concern: conventional water-repellent coating finishes on outdoor gear historically rely on PFAS chemistry, though newer alternatives exist. Ripstop nylon itself is stable and does not leach under normal use, but the coating's composition and durability over time determine whether water-repellent chemicals migrate into contact with skin or pack contents.
The brand's record and disclosure
Salomon, owned by Amer Sports, has not published a clear PFAS elimination timeline or confirmed which water-repellent coating chemistry it uses in this model. The brand has not signed the AFIRM (Apparel, Footwear and Sportswear Industry Responsible Management) Group's PFAS commitment or equivalent transparency initiatives. No public recalls or safety incidents specific to this backpack model have been documented, but silence on chemical composition is typical across outdoor brands and does not indicate safety.
How it compares in its category
This is a mainstream backcountry/travel pack in a highly competitive space. Many competing brands (e.g., Peak Design, Patagonia) now disclose PFAS-free or PFAS-reduced water-repellent coating treatments; Salomon's lack of equivalent messaging places it in the middle tier for transparency. Ripstop nylon construction itself is industry standard and carries no unusual risk compared to similar packs. The main differentiator is whether the water-repellent coating uses legacy PFAS or newer alternatives, which Salomon does not clarify.
If you buy it
Wash the pack periodically with mild soap and water, but avoid hot water or high heat drying (ripstop nylon is synthetic and heat can degrade coatings and fibers). Do not apply additional water-repellent treatments unless explicitly nylon-safe, as stacking coatings may alter leaching behavior. Inspect seams and coated areas annually for peeling or degradation; a compromised water-repellent coating reduces water resistance but does not inherently increase hazard. If environmental PFAS exposure is a primary concern, request water-repellent coating specification from Salomon before purchase, or consider brands with explicit PFAS-free claims.
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 (PFAS status unconfirmed)
Conventional water-repellent coating finishes on ripstop nylon often use PFAS; Salomon does not disclose whether this model uses legacy or alternative chemistry. Risk is primarily environmental persistence and bioaccumulation, not acute skin toxicity during normal use.
Coating degradation and leaching over time
As water-repellent coating coatings wear through repeated use and washing, shedding or migration of water-repellent chemicals may increase. No published data exists for this specific backpack model, but all synthetic coatings degrade eventually.
Azo dyes in nylon fabric
Ripstop nylon can be dyed with azo dyes; Salomon does not disclose dye chemistry for the Aerotrek 48. No recalls or reports of azo dye use in this model exist, and skin contact risk is low unless the pack comes in contact with sweat or prolonged wet conditions.
Formaldehyde resins in fabric finishing
Ripstop nylon may undergo formaldehyde-based finishing for shrinkage control or wrinkle resistance. No specific data available for this model; formaldehyde release from well-finished outdoor fabric is typically minimal and does not constitute a documented hazard for backpacks worn over clothing.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fabric
Like all ripstop nylon products, this backpack may shed microfibers during washing or wear, contributing to environmental microplastic load. This is a category-wide issue and not specific to Salomon's manufacturing; risk to the wearer is negligible but environmental impact is documented.
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
Patagonia
Refugio Day Pack 26L
recycled nylon with non-fluorinated water-repellent coating treatment
Lower PFAS concern. Patagonia claims non-fluorinated water-repellent coating on this pack.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More waterproof outdoor gear 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.