Salomon · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Salomon Cross 8 Backpack
Unknown waterproof treatment composition; contact Salomon for clarification.
Salomon Cross 8 is a hiking backpack with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Brand does not disclose PFAS content or treatment method; water-repellent coating coatings often contain PFAS, but details unavailable.
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Material
Nylon/polyester blend with water-repellent coating waterproof treatment
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 Salomon Cross 8 uses a nylon and polyester blend fabric, which are petroleum-derived synthetics chosen for strength, water resistance, and pack durability. The water-repellent finish (water-repellent coating treatment) is applied to the exterior to shed moisture; this is where PFAS chemicals commonly hide, though Salomon has not disclosed the specific chemistry. Nylon and polyester themselves are chemically stable under normal use and do not leach problematic substances into food or skin contact during backpack wear.
The brand's record and disclosure
Salomon (owned by Amer Sports) has not made a public commitment to PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatments or disclosed the chemical composition of waterproof coatings on this or other packs. The brand maintains general sustainability messaging but lacks specific transparency on persistent chemicals in textiles. No major recalls or safety controversies involving this backpack model are on record.
How it compares in its category
Most outdoor backpacks in this performance tier use durable-water-repellent (water-repellent coating) treatments, and many rely on undisclosed PFAS-based formulations; Salomon is not an outlier in this regard. Alternatives from brands like Arc'teryx and The North Face face the same opacity, though some smaller makers now advertise PFAS-free finishes. For day packs and casual use, the exposure risk from a backpack water-repellent coating is lower than from cookware or textiles in close skin contact.
If you buy it
Store the pack in a dry location to minimize need for frequent water reapplication and potential re-treatment. Wash by hand with cool water and mild soap if needed; avoid high-heat drying or machine washing, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and cause accelerated wear. If water beading fails after 2-3 years, consider replacement rather than retreatment with unknown chemicals, or contact Salomon for composition of approved re-treatment products. Before purchase, contact Salomon directly to confirm whether the water-repellent coating contains PFAS; their response will clarify your risk tolerance.
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 water-repellent coating
Waterproof treatment composition is undisclosed; PFAS-based water-repellent coating formulations are common in outdoor gear. Salomon has not publicly committed to PFAS-free alternatives on this model.
Microfiber shedding from synthetic fabrics
No specific data on microplastic release from Salomon Cross 8 during normal backpack use. Shedding risk is generally low from finished nylon-polyester blends compared to garment textiles.
Dye or finish allergens
No reported allergic reactions or dermatitis linked to this model. Standard textile dyes used in nylon packs do not carry elevated health flags in available literature.
water-repellent coating degradation and leaching
As water-repellent coating finishes wear, microscopic coating fragments may shed; composition uncertainty means potential contaminants cannot be ruled out. Risk is primarily environmental rather than to the wearer.
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.
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More waterproof outdoor 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.