Salomon · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Salomon XT 25 Backpack
Unknown water-repellent coating treatment chemistry; insufficient disclosure for confident assessment.
Salomon does not publicly disclose PFAS status or water-repellent coating chemistry for this backpack. Typical outdoor gear uses PFAS-based water repellents, but brand provides no confirmation or alternative claim.
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Material
Nylon fabric 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 XT 25 uses nylon fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed water without pooling. Salomon does not publicly disclose whether this treatment is fluorinated (PFAS-based) or fluorine-free, which is the primary chemical concern for this product. Nylon itself is a stable synthetic polymer with no established leaching hazard under normal backpack use. The real question is what water-repellent coating chemistry sits on the surface.
The brand's record and disclosure
Salomon (owned by Amer Sports) has not published a public PFAS policy, phaseout timeline, or material transparency report as of available public records. The brand does not appear on third-party PFAS commitment lists (e.g., Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families tracker). This silence is notable given that outdoor gear companies including The North Face, Patagonia, and Arc'teryx have disclosed water-repellent coating ingredient details or committed to PFAS alternatives. Salomon's lack of disclosure does not confirm PFAS use, but it prevents informed assessment.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-range outdoor backpacks (including Osprey, Decathlon, and budget alternatives) use similar nylon-plus-water-repellent coating construction, so the XT 25 is typical in material profile. Patagonia and Arc'teryx models explicitly state fluorine-free water-repellent coating options, giving consumers more choice. At the XT 25's price point (around USD 120-150), comparable packs often lack any public material transparency, making this product neither a leader nor an outlier on disclosure.
If you buy it
Store dry and avoid prolonged exposure to heat (direct sun, dryers, vehicle interiors in summer), as water-repellent coating coatings can degrade or off-gas if overheated. Normal washing with mild detergent and air-drying is safe; avoid dry cleaning and high-heat settings that might damage the treatment. Reapply water-repellent coating treatment (via commercial spray or wash-in products) every 12-18 months if water beading noticeably reduces. Request Salomon's water-repellent coating material safety data sheet if you have specific PFAS concerns; their silence may reflect lack of internal demand rather than deliberate withholding.
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 unknown chemistry (including possible PFAS)
Nylon backpacks typically use fluorinated water-repellent coating (PFOS/PFOA alternatives or legacy compounds), but Salomon has not disclosed this product's treatment. Fluorine-free water-repellent coating options exist but require explicit labeling. Risk is low for skin contact during normal wear, but some concern applies to washing water entry into household systems.
Nylon degradation and microfiber shedding
Nylon fabric can shed microfibers during washing or abrasion, but this is a general textiles concern not specific to Salomon or the XT 25. No recalls or safety advisories on record for this model.
Formaldehyde in fabric finishes or adhesives
No public reports of formaldehyde hazards in Salomon XT 25 or similar nylon backpacks. Contemporary nylon production for outdoor gear typically avoids formaldehyde-based finishes, though disclosure is limited.
Heavy metals in dyes or coatings
No recalls, testing results, or advisories on record for lead, cadmium, or other heavy metal contamination in this product. Salomon's manufacturing standards for outdoor gear are not known to have flagged metal content issues.
Adhesive off-gassing (VOC)
Backpack seams and strap attachments use adhesives (polyurethane or rubber-based); new products may emit minor VOCs for days to weeks. Risk is minimal in outdoor use but may be noticeable when first unboxed in closed spaces. Airing out the pack for 24-48 hours reduces perception.
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 Bags & Luggage
Garmin
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Neoprene or polyester with nylon hardware
Lower concern protective case, no known PFAS risk signals.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Keen
Hybrid Transport Backpack Tan Recycled Rice Paper Plastic Daypack
Recycled rice paper, plastic composite, no evident water-resistant coating
Lower concern. Plain materials, no apparent water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.