Cabela's Review, Is Cabela's Non-Toxic?
Across 8 graded products, Cabela's averages Poor (38/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. None of its products grade Good or better yet. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Cabela's
Prestige Plus Sink-Tip F/S6 Fly Line
PVC or plastic core with unknown waterproof coating
Phthalate plasticizers in PVC core
PVC fly lines typically contain phthalates (DEHP, DBP) for flexibility. These migrate…
Unspecified waterproof coating composition
Fly line surface coatings are proprietary and routinely contain fluorinated compounds or…
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
PVC and polyurethane fly line coatings degrade over time with UV exposure and thermal…
Skin sensitization from degradation byproducts
As PVC degrades, it can release hydrogen chloride and other volatile compounds.…
Skip, fly line coatings unspecified, PFAS common in waterproof textiles.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Cabela's
Prestige Plus Sink Tip Type 4 Fly Line
Extruded core with PVC or polyurethane coating, waterproofed finish
PFAS
Standard industry practice for fly line hydrophobic finish; Cabela's does not disclose…
Microplastic shedding from coating degradation
PVC and polyurethane coatings may shed particles as they age, crack, or fray. Risk is low…
Skip, waterproof fly line coating likely contains PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Cabela's
XPS Braid Fishing Line
Braided polyethylene/nylon with waterproof coating
PFAS
Waterproof fishing line coatings historically use PFAS-based Teflon-family coating…
Microplastic shedding from coating or braided fibers
Braided polyethylene/nylon lines can shed fibers, especially when cut, frayed, or…
Ingestion of line fragments
Swallowing fishing line (whether braided or monofilament) is a known hazard in boating…
UV degradation of nylon core
Prolonged sun exposure degrades nylon, causing the line to become brittle and more likely…
Skip, fishing line coating composition undisclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Cabela's
45L Waterproof Duffel Bag
Nylon or polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
PFAS
Water-repellent coatings on nylon/polyester outdoor gear typically contain PFAS unless…
Microplastic shedding from coating degradation
If the water-repellent coating peels, cracks, or delaminates over time, tiny fragments of…
Bacterial growth in moist interior
Any sealed, waterproof bag can trap moisture if packed wet or stored damp. While the…
Skip until coating composition is disclosed by brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Cabela's
Waterproof Duffel Bag
Polyester/nylon with waterproof coating, unknown water-repellent coating treatment
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating composition unknown
The waterproof treatment formula is not disclosed. It may or may not contain PFAS…
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from polyester coating
Polyester duffels with industrial waterproof coatings commonly release odors and…
Coating adhesion and microparticle shedding
Waterproof coatings can degrade with age, friction, or temperature cycling, potentially…
Skip until Cabela's reveals waterproof treatment chemicals.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Cabela's
Heavy Canvas Duffel Bag
Heavy canvas with water-resistant treatment
Water-resistant finish composition (undefined)
Cabela's does not disclose whether the duffel uses PFAS-based, Teflon-type coating, wax…
Off-gassing of volatile finish components
New water-resistant textiles commonly release volatile organic compounds during initial…
Coating degradation and particle shedding over time
Water-resistant finishes on canvas can peel, flake, or shed microparticles with age and…
Canvas likely carries lower concern but water treatment unknown.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Cabela's
Expandable Duffle Bag
Polyester with water-resistant treatment
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from water-repellent coating
Water-resistant chemical treatments on polyester can emit low levels of VOCs during…
Microfiber shedding from coated polyester
Polyester textiles, especially those with applied coatings, shed microfibers during…
Coating degradation and leaching with heat or moisture
Prolonged exposure to warm, humid conditions or UV sunlight can break down…
PFAS
This is addressed separately in your PFAS grade (40/100). water-repellent coating…
Duffles often use water-repellent coating coatings.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Cabela's
Ultimate Alaknak 2.0
Nylon taffeta with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
PFAS
Nylon taffeta tents rely on water-repellent coating coatings whose chemistry is…
Volatilization of coating additives (heat/sun exposure)
water-repellent coating finishes may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) if tent is…
Skip until Cabela's discloses water-repellent coating chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Cabela's and PFAS, common questions
- Does Cabela's have PFAS?
- We graded 8 Cabela's products, averaging Poor (38/100). None grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is Cabela's non-toxic?
- No Cabela's product we graded reaches Good. The best of them is Cabela's Prestige Plus Sink-Tip F/S6 Fly Line at 40/100.
- Which Cabela's products should I avoid?
- The lowest-graded Cabela's products we have scored are Cabela's Ultimate Alaknak 2.0, Cabela's Expandable Duffle Bag, Cabela's Heavy Canvas Duffel Bag. Each one links to the evidence behind its grade.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →