Salomon · Waterproof Outdoor Luggage
Salomon Unisex Travel Bag Clubline Duffel Bag 100L
Moderate PFAS risk; water-repellent coating treatment likely contains PFAS. No disclosure from brand.
Salomon provides no PFAS information for this duffel bag. The polyester fabric likely has water-repellent coating water-repellent finish, historically a PFAS source in outdoor gear. Brand silence on this issue raises concern.
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Material
Polyester fabric with water-repellent coating water-repellent 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
This bag is constructed from polyester fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the surface. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic polymer with minimal leaching risk during normal use. The water-repellent coating is the primary chemical concern: most conventional water-repellent coating treatments use PFAS-based compounds (fluorinated chemicals) to repel water, though Salomon has not disclosed which formulation is used on this model. The 100L capacity and travel-bag design mean prolonged skin contact is limited compared to apparel, reducing dermal exposure pathways.
The brand's record and disclosure
Salomon, owned by Amer Sports, maintains silence on PFAS use in textiles and gear finishes. The brand has not published chemical inventory disclosures, restricted substance lists specific to PFAS, or committed to fluorine-free alternatives across its product line. No recalls or safety violations are on record for this bag model. Salomon does comply with standard EU and North American textile labeling but does not volunteer PFAS testing or third-party verification.
How it compares in its category
Travel duffel bags in this size typically use polyester with water-repellent coating treatments; this is standard industry practice. Some competitors (e.g., Peak Design, certain Patagonia models) have begun transitioning to PFAS-free water repellents or disclosing water-repellent coating chemistry, but most mainstream brands remain non-transparent. Salomon's lack of communication puts it in the middle of the market: not proactive on PFAS but not flagged for regulatory violations either. A 100L bag will shed minimal microfiber compared to smaller, frequently-laundered items.
If you buy it
Wash the bag infrequently and only by hand or gentle rinse to avoid shedding fibers and unnecessary water contact with the water-repellent coating. Do not dry clean, machine wash, or expose to high heat, as these can degrade the polyester and potentially accelerate coating breakdown. Store dry and out of direct sunlight to preserve fabric integrity. If the water-repellent property fades after years of use, retire or repurpose the bag rather than re-treating it yourself, as aftermarket coatings may vary in safety profile.
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 water-repellent coating
Conventional Teflon-family coating water-repellent coating treatments on polyester textiles typically contain PFAS. Salomon's silence on formulation means this cannot be ruled out. Risk is primarily environmental (eventual landfill leaching) and secondary exposure via dust; direct ingestion or high dermal absorption is unlikely for a non-skin-contact bag.
Microplastic shedding from polyester fabric
All polyester textiles release microfibers during wear, washing, and abrasion. A duffel bag sheds less than apparel because it sees less friction and body contact, but packed contents and handling will cause gradual fiber loss. This is an inherent material property, not brand-specific.
Formaldehyde resins in textile finishing
No recalls or reports of formaldehyde-based finishes on Salomon duffel bags. Standard polyester bags do not typically use formaldehyde resins for wrinkle resistance (that is apparel-specific), so risk is minimal. Any finish resins used would be dilute and off-gas minimally in a non-heated storage environment.
Heavy metal dyes or pigments
Salomon bags comply with standard textile safety regulations (ISO 3160, Oeko-Tex limits where applicable). No known contamination in polyester dyes used for this model. Risk is low because the bag does not contact skin directly and does not leach into food or liquids in typical use.
Antimony in polyester fiber
Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst in some polyester synthesis but is typically locked into the polymer matrix and not bioavailable. Salomon products are not known to have elevated antimony levels, and this is not a concern for handled (non-ingested) textiles.
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.
More waterproof outdoor 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.