The North Face · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
The North Face Recon Backpack for Women
Backpack likely uses water-repellent coating; The North Face discloses no PFAS practices.
The Recon backpack uses durable nylon with water-repellent finish typical of outdoor gear. The North Face provides no public statement on PFAS in this product or their supply chain.
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 fabric with water-repellent coating water-repellent 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 Recon uses nylon fabric, a synthetic polymer valued for strength and water resistance but inert in itself. The water-repellent (water-repellent coating) treatment applied to the surface is the active chemical concern, as most commercial water-repellent coating coatings historically contained PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") to achieve durability. The North Face has not publicly disclosed whether this backpack uses fluorinated water-repellent coating or newer PFAS-free alternatives, making the specific treatment chemistry unknown.
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face, owned by VF Corporation, has made limited public commitments on PFAS elimination in apparel and gear. The company has not published a detailed timeline for phasing out PFAS-containing water-repellent coating treatments across product lines, nor does it provide chemical transparency for individual SKUs. This lack of disclosure is typical among large outdoor brands but differs from leaders like Patagonia, which explicitly detail water-repellent coating choices and timeline commitments.
How it compares in its category
Women's backpacks at this price point (typically $100-180 USD) nearly universally use water-repellent coating-treated nylon or polyester; untreated alternatives exist but are less weather-resistant. The Recon is mid-range in the market, neither premium (where transparency is slightly higher) nor budget (where water-repellent coating is often assumed to be standard fluorinated chemistry). Competitors like Osprey and Deuter have begun disclosing PFAS-free alternatives, making The North Face's silence a relative weakness, not an exception.
If you buy it
Do not machine wash or expose to high heat, as agitation and temperature can break down water-repellent coating coatings and potentially shed microfibers. Spot-clean with mild soap and air dry. The water-repellent coating layer degrades with use and washes; re-treatment kits (often PFAS-based) are available but reapplication introduces the same chemical uncertainty. If PFAS exposure is a primary concern, contact The North Face directly to request product-specific water-repellent coating treatment data before 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.”
water-repellent coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Nylon water-repellent coating coatings degrade with wear and washing, potentially releasing microfibers. No direct toxicity data exists for shed nylon fibers from this product, but accumulation in soil and water is an environmental concern. Practical risk is low during normal use but increases with machine washing or abrasion.
Heavy metals in dyes or fasteners
No recalls or reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in The North Face nylon backpacks. Standard industrial nylon dyeing is regulated in most markets, and The North Face has no documented safety violations in this category.
Azo dyes or restricted colorants
The Recon is dyed nylon with no known use of banned azo dyes. The North Face products meet REACH and US Consumer Product Safety Commission standards for textile dyes, though independent third-party certification is not provided for this model.
Off-gassing or volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
New nylon textiles may emit low levels of VOCs during initial use or storage, particularly in warm conditions. This dissipates within days to weeks and is not a safety hazard under normal use; airing out the pack indoors after purchase will minimize any odor.
PFAS in water-repellent coating treatment (undisclosed chemistry)
The North Face has not disclosed whether this backpack uses PFAS-containing or PFAS-free water-repellent coating. Given the brand's lack of public PFAS commitments and the prevalence of traditional fluorinated water-repellent coating in outdoor gear, PFAS presence is statistically likely, though not confirmed for this specific SKU.
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.