The North Face · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
The North Face Base Camp Gear Bin
Skip until The North Face discloses water-repellent coating treatment chemistry.
Base Camp Gear Bin uses polyester with water-repellent coating, likely water-repellent coating-treated. The North Face provides no PFAS disclosure; composition unknown.
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Material
Polyester fabric with water-repellent coating
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 Base Camp Gear Bin is constructed from polyester fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the exterior. Polyester itself is a stable synthetic polymer with minimal leaching risk under normal storage conditions. The water-repellent coating treatment is the variable: traditional fluorocarbon-based water-repellent coating formulations often contain PFAS, while newer non-fluorinated alternatives (like polyurethane or wax-based) do not. The North Face has not publicly specified which chemistry is used on this product.
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not issued comprehensive public disclosure of water-repellent coating chemistry across its product line, despite growing consumer and regulatory pressure on outdoor brands. The company has not pursued third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign) that would independently verify absence of hazardous chemicals in textiles. This silence is notable given competitor brands in the outdoor sector have begun disclosing PFAS alternatives or committing to phase-outs. The lack of transparency is the primary concern; no specific recalls or safety incidents are on record for this bin model.
How it compares in its category
Storage bins in this category typically use either polyester or polypropylene with water-resistant coatings. Many competitors now offer bins labeled PFAS-free or use non-fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments (e.g., Patagonia, some REI house brands). The North Face version does not carry such labeling, placing it in a middle ground: not the worst performer, but behind more transparent competitors in the same price and performance tier. For pure polyester storage without water-repellent coating, hazard profiles are significantly lower.
If you buy it
Store the bin indoors in moderate temperature and humidity; avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which can degrade polyester and coatings over time. Do not heat or microwave contents inside the bin. Clean with cool water and mild soap if needed; avoid bleach or strong solvents that could strip the water-repellent coating. Consider this a medium-term purchase (3-5 years typical durability); replacement is easy and low-cost. If The North Face publishes water-repellent coating chemistry details, reassess based on that disclosure.
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 degradation and leaching
Polyester water-repellent coating coatings can degrade with age, UV exposure, and washing. If fluorocarbon-based, degradation may release PFAS precursors; if non-fluorinated, risk is primarily loss of water resistance rather than toxicity. The North Face has not disclosed which formulation is in this product.
Polyester fiber shedding (microfiber release)
Synthetic textiles can shed microfibers when abraded or cleaned. For a storage bin with minimal agitation during normal use, shedding is low compared to apparel, but possible if the fabric is heavily brushed or if contents are very coarse and abrasive.
Azo dyes and colorant safety
No safety alerts or test data on record for azo dyes in The North Face Base Camp Gear Bin. Polyester textiles can carry azo dyes that may release aromatic amines under stress, but this is not a reported issue for this product or brand.
Formaldehyde resins in fabric finishing
Polyester textiles sometimes use formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle resistance or dimensional stability. The North Face does not disclose finishing chemistry, and no formaldehyde alerts are on record for this product. Storage bins have minimal skin contact, reducing exposure risk even if formaldehyde were present.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is occasionally used as a polymerization catalyst in polyester production. Exposure is rare in finished goods. No health alerts specific to The North Face polyester products have been issued.
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 gear storage bags 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.