Wise · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage
Wise Boaters Dry Box 5602-13
Dry box likely lower concern, but waterproof coating not disclosed.
Wise dry boxes use plastic with waterproofing treatment. Coating type unspecified by brand, raising moderate uncertainty about PFAS use in water-resistance layer.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyethylene or polypropylene plastic with waterproof 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 Wise 5602-13 is constructed from polyethylene or polypropylene plastic, both common thermoplastics with established safety profiles for food and water contact at room temperature. The critical unknown is the waterproof coating applied to achieve its dry-box function; waterproof treatments on plastics often contain fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or other hydrophobic additives, but Wise has not publicly disclosed the coating chemistry. Uncoated polyethylene and polypropylene themselves do not leach BPA, phthalates, or heavy metals under normal storage conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Wise (part of the boating/marine accessories space) maintains minimal public transparency on material safety certifications or coating composition. No established recalls for the 5602-13 model exist in public databases. The brand does not advertise third-party testing, PFAS-free status, or compliance with specific consumer safety standards, which is typical of the recreational marine product segment but limits independent verification of coating safety.
How it compares in its category
Dry boxes are a niche category with limited direct competitors; alternatives include metal lockers (rust and weight concerns), fiberglass (resin off-gassing risk), or uncoated plastic (lower water resistance). The polyethylene/polypropylene base material is standard and safer than many sealed storage options. The waterproof coating is the differentiator and risk point; most competing products in this space do not publicly disclose coating agents either, so the Wise box is neither exceptional nor obviously risky relative to peers.
If you buy it
Store only items intended for water exposure or non-food use; do not repurpose as a food storage container. Keep the box out of direct prolonged sunlight, which can degrade plastic coatings over years. If the coating begins to crack, peel, or cloud, the waterproofing will fail, but no toxicological hazard is expected from degraded coating fragments in a dry-box context. Rinse interior periodically and allow to air-dry to prevent mold or bacterial growth in sealed storage.
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.”
Waterproof coating composition (likely fluorinated, undisclosed)
The coating that makes this box waterproof is not identified by Wise; waterproof treatments often rely on PFAS or other halogenated compounds. Contact with drinking water or food is not the stated use, but leachability under stress (heat, UV, abrasion) is unknown.
Polyethylene/polypropylene base plastic degradation over time
The thermoplastic base material does not off-gas volatile organic compounds or formaldehyde under normal storage conditions. UV exposure and thermal cycling typical of outdoor boating may cause surface crazing or coating separation, but no toxic byproducts are established.
Microbial growth if moisture is trapped
While the box is designed to be waterproof, if water or condensation becomes trapped during storage and the box is sealed, mold or bacterial biofilm can develop. This is a maintenance issue, not a material toxicity issue.
Heavy metals in coating pigments
No public recalls or testing data indicate lead, cadmium, or antimony in the Wise box coating or plastic. The risk is low for a non-food storage product, but cannot be independently verified due to lack of third-party certification.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 50% 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 Gear Storage
Coleman
Chiller Cooler
Plastic (polypropylene) cooler body, foam insulation
Lower concern cooler. No known PFAS-treated materials typical.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Coleman
YETI LoadOut 15 GoBox
Rotomolded polyethylene plastic
Lower concern. Hard plastic cooler with no known PFAS-linked coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Coleman
Ezy Storage 5.28 Gallon Small Gasket Tote, Ip68 WaterProof Plastic Storage Bin with Lid, Gasket Seal and Durable Latches
Polypropylene plastic with waterproof gasket seal, coating unspecified
Waterproof plastic storage; PFAS coating risk unclear, no disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More waterproof outdoor gear storage 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.