Sea to Summit · Waterproof Smartphone Cases
Outdoor Products SmartPhone Watertight Phone Case
Skip until brand discloses waterproof treatment chemistry.
Sea to Summit does not publicly disclose PFAS or waterproof treatment details for this phone case. Waterproof cases typically use water-repellent coating coatings, which commonly contain PFAS, but brand provides no transparency.
The safe swap
Mophie
Mophie Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
85/100 safety
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Plastic case with waterproof sealing 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
Sea to Summit's SmartPhone case is a rigid plastic shell (likely polycarbonate or ABS) with an adhesive or coating-based waterproof sealing system. The sealing treatment chemistry is not publicly disclosed by the brand, which is the primary concern: waterproof phone cases commonly use Teflon-family coating-based sealants or Teflon-type coating-derived coatings to achieve water resistance, but Sea to Summit has not transparently confirmed or ruled out PFAS in their process. The plastic substrate itself presents minimal direct hazard if undecorated, but the sealing layer is the unknown variable.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sea to Summit is an outdoor gear manufacturer with a reasonable reputation for durability but has not published detailed chemical disclosures or safety certifications for phone case materials. The brand does not publicly acknowledge PFAS use or provide third-party testing data for waterproof coatings on this product line. No major recalls or safety violations related to this specific case are on public record, but the absence of transparency on waterproofing chemistry is a red flag for environmentally and health-conscious consumers.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof phone case construction varies widely; budget options often use simple rubber seals, while premium cases rely on chemical coatings for durability and repairability. Sea to Summit's approach appears mid-tier, prioritizing seal integrity over open disclosure. Competitors like Lifeproof and OtterBox similarly lack full PFAS transparency, making this a systemic category problem rather than a Sea to Summit-specific weakness.
If you buy it
Store the case away from direct heat or prolonged sunlight to avoid degradation of sealing coatings. Do not submerge continuously in very hot water (above 40°C / 104°F) as this can accelerate adhesive or coating breakdown. Inspect the seal annually for cracks or peeling; replace the case if water ingress becomes visible. Clean the sealing surfaces gently with mild soap and dry thoroughly after ocean or saltwater use to prevent salt crystallization that compromises the seal.
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.”
Undisclosed waterproof treatment chemistry
Sea to Summit has not publicly specified whether the waterproof sealing uses Teflon-family coating, Teflon-type coating, or other PFAS-containing compounds. This opacity is the primary reason to request brand disclosure before purchasing.
Plastic degradation and microparticle release
Prolonged UV exposure or thermal stress can cause the plastic case or sealing layer to crack and shed microparticles, especially if the adhesive system is not designed for extreme temperature cycling common in outdoor use.
Adhesive or sealant leaching into water contact
If the waterproof seal uses solvent-based or unreacted epoxy adhesives, prolonged water immersion could allow trace leachates into water supplies, though concentrations from a single case are likely negligible.
Coating delamination over time
Waterproof coatings on plastic can separate from the substrate after repeated thermal cycling or mechanical stress, reducing seal integrity and potentially releasing coating particles into the environment or water.
No established contamination concerns with uncoated plastic substrate
The base polycarbonate or ABS plastic itself does not have a known heavy metal, phthalate, or BPA issue in this product category when undecorated; hazard resides entirely in the treatment layer.
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 Smartphone Cases
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, metal contacts
No known PFAS use; battery cases rarely require fluorinated coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Mophie
Juice Pack Battery Case for iPhone 15 Pro
Lithium-ion battery, plastic housing, rubber grips
Lower concern. Battery cases lack typical PFAS-prone coatings; no public disclosure available.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Pelican
Shield Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Polycarbonate shell, rubber grip
Lower concern; typical phone case with no known PFAS applications.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof smartphone cases 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.