40Poor

Does The North Face waterproof outdoor gear storage bags have PFAS?

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.

We graded 8 The North Face waterproof outdoor gear storage bags products, averaging Poor (40/100). None of them grade Good or better.

Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these

The North Face Base Camp Dry Bag

The North Face

Base Camp Dry Bag

TPE/PVC drybag with waterproof coating

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade18Bad
🍳

water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating composition

The waterproof finish is almost certainly a fluorocarbon or alternative chemical…

70
⛏️

PVC/TPE thermal leaching

Both materials can release plasticizers or residual monomers when heated significantly…

70
🫧

Coating degradation and microparticle shedding

Waterproof coatings on drybags degrade over time and with friction. Peeling or flaking…

45
💨

Seal seam integrity and off-gassing

Seams are sealed with adhesives that may off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) when…

70

Waterproof bag with unknown water-repellent coating treatment, no PFAS disclosure from brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Base Camp Waterproof Duffel

The North Face

Base Camp Waterproof Duffel

Nylon with water-repellent coating waterproof coating (type unspecified)

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade32Poor
♾️

PFAS

water-repellent coating treatments on nylon textiles commonly relied on PFAS compounds…

70
💨

Coating off-gassing during manufacturing or initial use

New waterproof gear may emit faint chemical odors from water-repellent coating treatment…

70

Unknown coating type raises PFAS concern, contact brand or skip.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Base Camp Dry Bag Backpack

The North Face

Base Camp Dry Bag Backpack

Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating water-repellent treatment

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade26Poor

water-repellent coating degradation and reapplication

water-repellent coating finishes on nylon naturally wear down with washing and UV…

45
🫧

Nylon microfiber shedding

Nylon textiles can shed microfibers during wear and washing, though backpack abrasion is…

70

water-repellent coating-treated backpack, PFAS content unknown, no brand disclosure.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Base Camp Gear Bin

The North Face

Base Camp Gear Bin

Polyester fabric with water-repellent coating

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade32Poor

water-repellent coating degradation and leaching

Polyester water-repellent coating coatings can degrade with age, UV exposure, and…

70
🫧

Polyester fiber shedding (microfiber release)

Synthetic textiles can shed microfibers when abraded or cleaned. For a storage bin with…

70

Skip until The North Face discloses water-repellent coating treatment chemistry.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Base Camp Fuse Box Backpack

The North Face

Base Camp Fuse Box Backpack

Polyester/nylon with water-repellent coating

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade4Bad
🏷️

PFAS

Waterproof backpacks in this price and category typically rely on fluorinated…

20

Polyester/nylon thermal degradation

If exposed to sustained heat (e.g., stored in hot vehicles or near heat sources)…

70
🍂

Coating delamination and integrity loss

User reports and retailer reviews document peeling or flaking of water-repellent coating…

45
🫧

Microplastic shedding from synthetic fibers

Polyester and nylon shed microscopic fibers during use and washing, particularly with…

70

Waterproof backpack with likely water-repellent coating, PFAS status undisclosed.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel

The North Face

Base Camp Voyager Duffel

Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade32Poor
♾️

PFAS

The nylon fabric almost certainly carries a water-repellent coating; The North Face has…

70
🫧

Coating degradation and particulate shedding

Heavy use, washing, or exposure to UV and heat can cause the water-repellent coating…

70

Skip until The North Face discloses water-repellent coating chemistry used.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Base Camp Duffel

The North Face

Base Camp Duffel

Ballistic nylon exterior with water-repellent coating

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade18Bad
♾️

PFAS

Ballistic nylon duffels typically receive PFAS-based water repellent coatings; The North…

20

water-repellent coating degradation and secondary leaching

As the water-repellent coating finish wears from friction and washing, bound and unbound…

70

Likely contains PFAS-based water-repellent coating, no transparency from brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

The North Face Summit Series Advanced Mountain Kit 140L Duffel

The North Face

Summit Series Advanced Mountain Kit 140L Duffel

Nylon/polyester fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade18Bad
♾️

PFAS

water-repellent coating treatment on nylon/polyester gear historically uses PFAS; The…

20
🫧

Coating degradation and microfiber shedding

As water-repellent coating wears, nylon/polyester fibers may shed into soil or water…

70

High PFAS risk from water-repellent coating, The North Face does not disclose treatment.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

See every The North Face product we grade on the The North Face brand page, or the full waterproof outdoor gear storage bags ranking.