The North Face · Waterproof Outdoor Bags
The North Face Women's Borealis Backpack
Typical water-repellent coating backpack; PFAS risk unconfirmed, no brand transparency.
The Borealis uses nylon with water-repellent coating. The North Face does not publicly disclose PFAS use or avoidance, limiting confidence in its safety profile.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon 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
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 Borealis uses 100% nylon as its primary shell fabric, treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to shed moisture without full waterproofing. Nylon itself is a synthetic polymer with no established toxicity in finished form, but the water-repellent coating, most commonly fluorocarbon-based in this product class, is the chemical concern. The North Face does not publicly disclose whether their water-repellent coating uses PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals"), which are persistent environmental contaminants and possible human health concerns. Nylon can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing, but finished backpacks pose minimal inhalation risk under normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not published transparency on PFAS use in their water-repellent coating treatments or adopted PFAS-free alternatives as a stated policy. The brand maintains general environmental commitments but lacks specific chemical disclosure for outdoor gear. No recalls or safety violations related to textiles or coatings have been established for this product line. The company's silence on PFAS reflects an industry-wide pattern among outdoor apparel makers, making independent verification impossible.
How it compares in its category
Most mid-range to premium backpacks in this size and function use nylon with fluorocarbon water-repellent coating, making the Borealis typical for its segment. Some competing brands (e.g., Patagonia) have begun disclosing PFAS-free alternatives, though cost and availability remain limited. Nylon backpacks are generally safer than those using PVC-coated fabrics, which can leach plasticizers. The Borealis avoids known red flags like azo dyes, formaldehyde resins, or antimony-doped polyester.
If you buy it
Wash the backpack infrequently and by hand or gentle machine cycle to reduce wear on the water-repellent coating and minimize any potential chemical leaching into waterways. Avoid heat (direct sunlight, dryers) which can degrade nylon fibers and the water-repellent coating layer. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct light to slow UV degradation. Replace the backpack only when structural failure occurs (seams, zippers, straps), as nylon is durable; the water-repellent coating will naturally wear off after several years of use without harm to the bag itself.
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.”
Formaldehyde in textile resins
No evidence of formaldehyde-based finishing resins in nylon backpacks of this type; the water-repellent coating treatment uses hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon chemistry, not formaldehyde.
Azo dyes
The Borealis uses solid-color or conservative color schemes typical of outdoor gear; no carcinogenic azo dyes have been reported in The North Face backpack lines.
Heavy metals in pigments
Nylon backpacks do not typically use heavy-metal pigments; synthetic dyes are mass-produced to avoid lead, cadmium, or chromium contamination in standard product lines.
water-repellent coating durability and potential leachates
The fluorocarbon water-repellent coating will degrade with age and washing, releasing microscopic particles into water systems; no evidence of leaching into skin under dry conditions, but composition remains undisclosed by the brand.
VOC off-gassing from nylon
Finished nylon backpacks do not pose measurable VOC inhalation risk during normal outdoor use; off-gassing is negligible compared to new furniture or automotive interiors.
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
Granite Gear
Wrought Iron Food Pack
nylon fabric pack, likely uncoated or minimally treated
Food pack likely lower concern; confirm no water-repellent coating with brand.
⚠Risky category by default
More waterproof outdoor 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.