Swissgear · Backpacks
Swissgear 5358 USB ScanSmart Laptop Backpack
Backpack likely has water-repellent coating; Swissgear discloses no PFAS details.
This durable backpack uses nylon with water-resistant treatment typical of laptop bags. Swissgear has not disclosed treatment chemistry; water-repellent coating finishes may contain PFAS. Verify directly with brand if concerned.
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Material
Nylon with unspecified water-resistant finish
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 Swissgear 5358 is constructed from nylon fabric with an unspecified water-resistant or water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Nylon itself is a synthetic polymer with low toxicity risk during normal use, but the water-repellent coating applied to achieve water resistance is the key concern: most water-repellent coating finishes historically rely on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) to repel water, though some manufacturers have shifted to fluorine-free alternatives. Without Swissgear's disclosure of which type is used on this model, the chemical composition of the finish remains a knowledge gap.
The brand's record and disclosure
Swissgear (owned by Victorinox) does not publicly document PFAS testing, source disclosure, or phase-out commitments for its backpack lines as of available records. The brand has not achieved certifications such as OEKO-TEX or Bluesign that would independently verify absence of restricted substances in textiles. This silence on water-resistant finish chemistry is typical of mid-market luggage and backpack brands, but contrasts with competitors like Peak Design or Patagonia, which publish material sourcing details.
How it compares in its category
Among nylon laptop backpacks in the USD 100-200 range, the Swissgear 5358 offers durability and feature-set comparable to brands like Osprey and Travelon. However, those competitors more frequently disclose water-repellent coating type or offer PFAS-free variants. Standard polyester-nylon blends with legacy water-repellent coating coatings are widespread in this segment; the Swissgear model does not stand out as particularly transparent or innovative in chemical risk reduction relative to its peers.
If you buy it
Hand-wash or use a soft brush with cool water to minimize degradation of the water-repellent coating finish and reduce chemical leaching. Avoid machine washing and heat drying, which can break down coatings. Do not apply additional waterproofing sprays (which often contain PFAS) unless the original finish fails. With normal indoor use and occasional outdoor exposure, expect the water-repellent coating to degrade gradually over 3-5 years; replacement is not hazardous, but re-treating requires care to avoid PFAS-containing products.
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
Unspecified water-resistant finish on nylon almost certainly relies on some PFAS formulation (legacy C8 PFOA/PFOS or newer short-chain alternatives); Swissgear has not disclosed which, and no fluorine-free alternatives are documented for this model.
Formaldehyde in textile resins
Nylon fabric and commercial water-repellent coating finishes do not inherently require formaldehyde-releasing resins the way cotton or wool finishes do. No recalls or test data associate Swissgear backpacks with formaldehyde off-gassing.
Azo dyes and color toxins
The 5358 is typically sold in black or gray nylon; no documented use of restricted azo dyes or heavy-metal pigments in Swissgear nylon textiles, though third-party testing is absent.
Antimony in polyester components
If the backpack contains polyester webbing or thread, antimony may be present as a catalyst residue, but levels in finished textiles are generally below concern thresholds and no Swissgear-specific data exists.
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication risk
As the water-repellent coating finish wears, users may reapply aftermarket waterproofing sprays, many of which contain high-PFAS formulations (C6 or longer-chain alternatives). This user-driven exposure is a secondary concern if original finish fails.
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.
Safer alternatives in Backpacks
Everlane
Canvas Backpack
Canvas (cotton blend)
Lower-concern canvas option; no PFAS trigger signals, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Everlane
The Canvas Backpack - Black OS
Canvas cotton blend
Lower PFAS concern for uncoated canvas backpack; no water-repellent coating treatment typical of this product line.
⚠Risky category by default
Able Carry
Thirteen Daybag
Ballistic nylon, canvas, woven textile
Lower PFAS concern; typical durable pack without inherent PFAS triggers, but brand doesn't disclose water-repellent coating treatment details.
⚠Risky category by default
More backpacks 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.