The North Face · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
The North Face Base Camp Voyager Pro Lightweight Pack
Unknown water-repellent coating chemistry. The North Face does not disclose PFAS status.
This lightweight pack likely uses a water-repellent coating on nylon, but the brand provides no PFAS disclosure. Specific coating chemistry is unknown and unverified.
The safe swap
Garmin
Garmin Carry Case
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon ripstop, synthetic fabric with water-repellent coating 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 Base Camp Voyager Pro uses nylon ripstop fabric, a tightly woven synthetic material chosen for weight and tear resistance on lightweight packs. Ripstop adds thin reinforcing threads in a grid pattern to prevent tears from spreading, but adds no chemical hazard of its own. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the exterior is the material of concern: this coating is typically either PFAS-based (Teflon-family coating) or newer non-fluorinated alternatives, and The North Face does not publicly specify which chemistry is used on this model.
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not made public commitments to phase out PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments across its product line, unlike some outdoor competitors (Arc'teryx, Patagonia). The brand does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry on product pages or in technical specs, making it impossible for consumers to verify PFAS status before purchase. This silence, combined with the prevalence of fluorinated water-repellent coating in the outdoor industry, suggests PFAS involvement is plausible but unconfirmed.
How it compares in its category
Lightweight hiking packs typically use nylon or polyester ripstop with water-repellent coatings; PFAS exposure from this category is a recognized industry-wide issue. Some premium competitors (e.g., certain Osprey or Gregory models) now explicitly advertise PFAS-free water-repellent coating or omit water-repellent coating entirely. The North Face's refusal to disclose puts it in a middle-transparency position: not leading, not visibly lagging, but offering no reassurance for PFAS-conscious buyers.
If you buy it
Store the pack dry and away from direct heat (water-repellent coating coatings can degrade when heated, potentially increasing shedding). Wash by hand with cool water and mild soap if needed; avoid machine washing and high-heat drying, which accelerate coating breakdown. The water-repellent coating will diminish with use and cleaning over 3-5 years; reapplication products exist but may reintroduce PFAS depending on the formulation chosen. Consider contacting The North Face directly to ask about water-repellent coating chemistry on this specific model year before committing to purchase.
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 finish)
The undisclosed water-repellent coating treatment on nylon ripstop is most likely Teflon-family coating-based (standard industry practice), meaning PFAS exposure is probable; however, newer non-fluorinated alternatives are also commercially available. No independent test results for this product model are on record.
Nylon microfiber shedding from wear
Ripstop nylon does not inherently shed microplastics at rates higher than standard nylon. Shedding risk is negligible under normal pack use; concern would only arise if coating degradation accelerates fiber release, an effect not documented for this product.
water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication
As the water-repellent coating finish wears (typically after 3-5 years of use), consumers often reapply proprietary water-repellent coating products, some of which contain PFAS. If the original coating is PFAS-based, repeated reapplication could extend cumulative exposure.
Formaldehyde resins in fabric finishing
Nylon ripstop production may involve formaldehyde-based resins for wrinkle or shrink resistance, but this is not specific to this product and is standard across the industry with no documented safety incidents in end-use.
Heavy metals in dyes or pigments (if pack has color)
The Base Camp Voyager Pro uses synthetic dyes typical of nylon outdoor gear; no recalls or testing indicating heavy metal contamination are on record for The North Face packs.
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 Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
Garmin
Carry Case
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.