Yeti · Waterproof Outdoor Bags & Luggage
YETI Crossroads 22L Backpack
YETI silent on PFAS; water-repellent coating treatment raises concern. Skip or contact.
YETI Crossroads backpack uses durable nylon with water-resistant treatment, common source of PFAS in outdoor gear. Brand discloses no PFAS testing or alternatives; contact YETI for coating details.
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 with water-repellent coating water-resistant 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 Crossroads 22L uses nylon ripstop as its primary fabric, a densely woven synthetic known for tear resistance and lightweight durability. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the nylon is the point of concern: water-repellent coating treatments have historically relied on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS), though some manufacturers have switched to fluorine-free alternatives. YETI has not publicly disclosed which treatment they use on this backpack, making the PFAS exposure profile uncertain. Nylon itself is stable and does not leach monomers under normal use conditions.
The brand's record and disclosure
YETI is known for premium outdoor products but maintains relative silence on chemical composition and sustainability certifications compared to competitors like Patagonia or Fjallraven. The company has not published a PFAS commitment or chemical inventory as of available records. No recalls or safety controversies specific to the Crossroads backpack exist in public databases. Their lack of transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry is the distinguishing gap here.
How it compares in its category
In the mid-tier travel backpack market, YETI's water-repellent coating silence is less transparent than brands offering fluorine-free or PFOA-free certifications (e.g., Arc'teryx, Patagonia). Most comparable backpacks in the 20-25L range use either nylon ripstop with undisclosed water-repellent coating or polyester, creating a wash on material hazard. YETI's premium pricing does not correlate with superior chemical disclosure. The nylon ripstop itself is a safer base fabric than PVC or heavy polyester blends.
If you buy it
Contact YETI directly before purchase to request the water-repellent coating treatment specification (ask whether it contains PFOA, Teflon-type coating, or other C6/C8 fluorinated compounds). Avoid prolonged skin contact if you have chemical sensitivities during the first wash cycle, when water-repellent coating volatiles may off-gas slightly. The backpack requires no special heating; normal use poses no thermal risk. Periodically rinse with cool water to minimize water-repellent coating degradation; reapplication may be needed after 1-2 years of heavy use.
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 coating
water-repellent coating treatments on outdoor nylon commonly use legacy fluorinated compounds, but YETI has not disclosed their specific chemistry. This is the primary unresolved hazard for this product.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from synthetic fabrics and coatings
New nylon ripstop and water-repellent coating finishes may off-gas slightly during initial use or after washing. No product-specific reports exist, but minimal exposure occurs with normal outdoor ventilation.
Microplastics shedding from nylon fabric
Nylon ripstop does not significantly degrade into microplastics under normal wear or washing for a backpack (unlike synthetic clothing in laundry). No hazard reported for this product category.
Heavy metals or dyes in nylon or hardware
YETI backpacks use quality-grade hardware and nylon dyes. No recalls or contamination reports exist. Nylon fabric does not leach metals under normal conditions.
Coating degradation and subsequent exposure
As water-repellent coating wears off over 1-3 years, any residual monomers or unreacted compounds may have slightly increased skin contact. Risk is low but unknown without knowing the water-repellent coating chemistry used.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 42% 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.