Wise · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage
Wise Outdoors Small Utility Dry Box 5601-40
Unclear PFAS use; waterproof boxes often contain water-repellent coating coatings.
Wise has not disclosed PFAS content for this dry box. Waterproofing treatments commonly use fluorochemicals, but specific coating details are unavailable. Contact brand for transparency.
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Material
Plastic dry box with waterproofing sealant
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 5601-40 is a rigid plastic storage box (likely polypropylene or similar polyolefin) with a waterproofing sealant system and lid gasket. The waterproofing mechanism is the critical unknown: water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings on plastics are historically a major vector for PFAS chemicals, though some manufacturers have moved to PFAS-free alternatives. The gasket material (commonly rubber or silicone) is generally low-risk unless it contains phthalate plasticizers, which is uncommon in modern seals but not ruled out without testing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Wise Sports (parent company) maintains minimal public disclosure on material composition or chemical safety for this product line. No independent certifications (e.g., Cradle to Cradle, GreenGuard) are listed for the 5601-40. The brand has not published a PFAS reduction commitment or waterproofing ingredient statement, leaving the water-repellent coating source and chemistry entirely opaque. This silence is common in the recreational equipment space but prevents informed assessment.
How it compares in its category
Small plastic dry boxes are a commodity category with wide variation in waterproofing approach. Competitor brands (e.g., Pelican, OtterBox) similarly do not routinely disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. Higher-end boxes sometimes use Teflon-type coating-based coatings (lower PFAS risk than Teflon-family coating alternatives), while budget models may use non-fluorinated wax or polymer blends. The Wise 5601-40 is mid-market; without transparency, it is indistinguishable from peers on chemical safety grounds.
If you buy it
Store only cool or room-temperature items; do not use for hot food or liquids, as plastic outgassing risk increases above 50 degrees Celsius. Inspect the gasket and seams annually for cracks or deterioration, and replace if visible damage occurs. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, which degrades plastic and may accelerate sealant breakdown. Wash with mild soap and cool water only; solvents or bleach can compromise the waterproofing layer.
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 leachables (non-PFAS fluorochemicals or PFAS alternatives)
Waterproofing sealant composition is undisclosed. If fluorinated, it may leach fluorochemicals (PFAS or next-gen alternatives like GenX) into stored contents over time, especially if the sealant degrades. No test data on record for this product.
Phthalates in gasket/seal material
Rubber and silicone gaskets in modern waterproof boxes rarely contain phthalates, but formulation is not public. Contact with food or skin over years of use is low-risk for this product type, but untested.
Plastic polymer degradation and microparticle shedding
Polypropylene and polyethylene boxes can degrade under UV exposure and temperature cycling, releasing microparticles. For dry storage of non-food items (typical use), risk is negligible. Risk rises if used to store food or potable water for extended periods.
Heavy metals in plastic colorant pigments
No cadmium or lead contamination has been reported in Wise brand dry boxes. Modern injection-molded plastics rarely contain lead-based pigments, but formulation transparency is absent.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from adhesives or sealant curing byproducts
New plastic boxes may release low levels of VOCs from assembly adhesives and sealant curing. Odor typically dissipates within days of initial unpacking in ventilated space. No health risk expected in normal outdoor use.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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.
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⚠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.