Lowepro Review, Is Lowepro Non-Toxic?
Across 8 graded products, Lowepro averages Good (57/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 3 of its products grade Good or better. 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.
Does Lowepro have PFAS, by category
Worth buying from Lowepro Good or better, best-graded first
Lowepro
Hardside 300 Photo Waterproof Camera Hard Case
Hard-sided polymer case
Foam padding degradation and particulate shedding
Interior polyurethane or EVA foam can break down over 5-10 years, especially in humid or…
Off-gassing from new polymer or adhesives
New hard cases may emit minor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from injection molding…
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Lowepro
Hardside CS 60 Camera Case
Hard polypropylene shell, fabric lining
Polypropylene degradation under UV exposure
Polypropylene can become brittle and crack when exposed to prolonged direct sunlight or…
Fabric lining moisture retention and mold growth
The polyester or nylon fabric lining can retain moisture if the case is sealed while…
Bacterial or microbial colonization in case seals and hinges
The case's zipper and seal areas can harbor dust, salt, or microorganisms if not cleaned.…
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Lowepro
Hardside CS 80 Camera Case
Hardside polycarbonate shell, unknown interior foam padding
Interior foam off-gassing (composition unknown)
Lowepro does not disclose the interior padding material. Expanded polystyrene or…
Polycarbonate UV degradation and transparency loss
Polycarbonate yellows and becomes brittle under prolonged UV exposure (years of…
Mold growth in sealed interior (usage-dependent)
If wet camera gear is stored inside without ventilation, the foam interior can trap…
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Lowepro
Adventura SH 120 III Shoulder Bag
nylon/polyester with unspecified water-resistant coating
PFAS
Lowepro does not disclose coating chemistry. Fluorinated water-repellent coating is…
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from coating and adhesives
New nylon bags with water-resistant treatments typically emit solvent odors (toluene…
Coating degradation and leachate in prolonged water exposure
If water-repellent coating is fluorinated and begins to degrade (flaking, peeling)…
Medium risk. Camera bag with unknown water-repellent coating, PFAS details not disclosed.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lowepro
Adventura Go SH 160 Bag
Nylon fabric with water-resistant coating
PFAS
Nylon bags typically use either Teflon-type coating (fluorinated) or…
Coating degradation and particle shedding
Water-resistant coatings on nylon can wear, flake, or crack with age and use. Lowepro…
Medium risk. Camera bag with water treatment, PFAS status unclear from brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lowepro
Tahoe CS 20 Camera Case
polyester fabric with water-resistant coating
PFAS
Polyester camera cases almost universally use PFAS-based water-repellent coating finishes…
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from coating application and solvents
New polyester bags with applied coatings may off-gas residual solvents and adhesive…
Microplastics
Abrasion of polyester fabric can release microfibers, particularly if the water-repellent…
Medium risk. Case coating unspecified, waterproof bags often use PFAS-based water-repellent coating.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lowepro
Fastpack BP 250 AW III Backpack
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
water-repellent coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Teflon-family coating coatings on nylon/polyester degrade with use and washing, releasing…
Azo dyes in colored nylon/polyester
The backpack uses black, gray, and colored nylon/polyester. Azo dyes, some of which break…
Adhesive off-gassing in seams and patches
Seams are bonded with polyurethane or epoxy adhesives that may emit volatile organic…
Medium risk. Skip until water-repellent coating details are clarified, likely PFAS-treated.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lowepro
ProTactic TLZ 70 AW Camera Bag
Nylon fabric with water-resistant coating (type unspecified)
water-repellent coating degradation and leachables
The unspecified water-resistant coating may contain Teflon-type coating, polyurethane, or…
Off-gassing from synthetic coating
New nylon bags with industrial water-repellent coating finishes commonly emit volatile…
Mold or bacterial growth in moist storage
Water-resistant coatings trap moisture if the bag is stored damp. Prolonged moisture…
Medium risk. Waterproof camera bag with unspecified water-repellent coating, PFAS risk unclear.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Lowepro and PFAS, common questions
- Does Lowepro have PFAS?
- We graded 8 Lowepro products, averaging Good (57/100). 3 grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is Lowepro non-toxic?
- Lowepro Hardside 300 Photo Waterproof Camera Hard Case is the highest-graded Lowepro product we have scored, at 85/100. It depends on the product line rather than the brand, so check the grade of the exact item you are buying.
- Which Lowepro products are lower concern for PFAS?
- The highest-graded Lowepro products we have scored are Lowepro Hardside 300 Photo Waterproof Camera Hard Case, Lowepro Hardside CS 60 Camera Case, Lowepro Hardside CS 80 Camera Case. That is our model-based estimate from materials and public disclosure, not a lab test.
- Which Lowepro products should I avoid?
- The lowest-graded Lowepro products we have scored are Lowepro ProTactic TLZ 70 AW Camera Bag, LowePro Fastpack BP 250 AW III Backpack, Lowepro Tahoe CS 20 Camera Case. Each one links to the evidence behind its grade.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →