45Poor

Think Tank Photo Review, Is Think Tank Photo Non-Toxic?

Across 9 graded products, Think Tank Photo averages Poor (45/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 1 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 Think Tank Photo have PFAS, by category

Worth buying from Think Tank Photo Good or better, best-graded first

Think Tank Digital Holster 5 V3

Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Digital Holster 5 V3

Ballistic nylon, weather-sealed fabric, metal hardware

PFAS Grade85Excellent
Overall Grade59Good
🏷️

Undisclosed water-repellent coating chemistry

Weather-sealed fabric treatment is not disclosed by manufacturer. Historically…

70

Coating degradation over time

Weather-sealing treatments degrade with UV exposure, heat, and humidity. As coating…

70

Camera holster with weather treatment; PFAS status undisclosed.

Brand says nothing about PFAS

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

Think Tank Emergency Rain Cover

Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Emergency Rain Cover

Nylon ripstop with waterproof coating, composition unspecified

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade24Bad
🍳

Unspecified waterproof coating chemistry

The coating type (polyurethane, PVC, or Teflon-family coating) is not disclosed.…

70
💨

Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing

New nylon ripstop fabrics and their coatings may off-gas odors and low levels of solvents…

70
🫧

Coating degradation and microparticle release

As the waterproof coating ages or is flexed repeatedly, it may flake or shed particles.…

70
⚠️

Mildew and bacterial growth (maintenance failure)

If stored wet or in humid conditions, nylon ripstop can harbor mold and bacteria. This is…

70

Rain cover needs waterproofing; brand silent on PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Think Tank Hydrophobia D 70-200 Rain Cover

Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Hydrophobia D 70-200 Rain Cover

Nylon ripstop fabric with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade28Poor
🍳

water-repellent coating composition (fluorine-based or fluorine-free unknown)

Think Tank does not specify whether the water-repellent coating uses legacy PFAS…

70
⚠️

Mold and bacterial growth from moisture retention

If stored wet or in humid conditions for extended periods, nylon fabric can support…

70
🍂

Coating adhesion loss over time

water-repellent coating coatings on nylon naturally degrade with UV exposure and repeated…

70

Waterproof rain cover; water-repellent coating details unspecified by brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Think Tank Retrospective 7 V2.0 Shoulder Bag

Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Retrospective 7 V2.0 Shoulder Bag

Canvas/polyester blend with water-resistant coating

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade28Poor
🏷️

PFAS

The water-repellent coating likely provides the water resistance but Think Tank has not…

70
💨

VOC off-gassing from coatings and adhesives

New bags may release volatile organic compounds from the water-resistant coating…

70
🫧

Coating degradation and particle shedding

Over years of use, water-resistant coatings can crack, peel, or shed fine particles…

70

Camera bag; brand silent on PFAS in water-resistant treatment.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Think Tank PhotoCross 11L Sling Bag

Think Tank Photo

Cross 11L Sling Bag

Ballistic nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade18Bad
♾️

PFAS

Ballistic nylon water-repellent coating treatments typically contain PFAS unless…

20
🫧

Polyamide fabric degradation and microfiber shedding

Ballistic nylon sheds microscopic synthetic fibers during wear, especially under abrasion…

70

Waterproof camera bag; water-repellent coating likely contains PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Think Tank Hydrophobia DM 300-600 Rain Cover

Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Hydrophobia DM 300-600 Rain Cover

Polyester/nylon with water-repellent water-repellent coating

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade32Poor
♾️

PFAS

The water-repellent coating on this rain cover likely contains fluorinated compounds, but…

70

Coating degradation over time

Polyester/nylon water-repellent coating coatings naturally wear with UV exposure…

70

Avoid until brand discloses water-repellent coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Think Tank Photo Airport TakeOff V2.0 Rolling Camera Bag

Think Tank Photo

Airport TakeOff V2.0 Rolling Camera Bag

Ballistic nylon with water-repellent coating water-resistant treatment

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade32Poor
🫧

water-repellent coating degradation and potential microparticle release

Ballistic nylon water-repellent coating treatments can flake or degrade over years of…

70
⚠️

Mold and bacterial growth if stored damp

Any fabric bag stored without drying after rain or humid exposure can harbor mold or…

70

Rolling bag with likely water-repellent coating; brand silent on PFAS.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Think Tank Hydrophobia D 24-70 Rain Cover

Think Tank Photo

Think Tank Hydrophobia D 24-70 Rain Cover

Polyurethane-coated nylon, water-repellent coating-treated

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade28Poor
💨

Polyurethane coating degradation and VOC release

PU-coated textiles can break down over years or with UV exposure, potentially releasing…

70
⚠️

water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) chemistry unknown

The water-repellent coating finish is almost certainly fluorine-based (PFAS or…

70
💨

Off-gassing during storage in heat

Polyurethane can emit weak odors when warm. If stored in a hot car or warehouse, PU…

70

Camera rain cover with unknown waterproof treatment; PFAS composition unclear.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Think Tank Photo PhotoCross Sling V2 Camera Bag

Think Tank Photo

PhotoCross Sling V2 Camera Bag

Ballistic nylon with water-repellent coating water-resistant treatment

PFAS Grade40Poor
Overall Grade14Bad
♾️

PFAS

Ballistic nylon with water-repellent coating finish typically uses legacy fluorinated…

20

Coating degradation and leachate

As the water-repellent coating finish wears over years, treatment chemicals may leach…

70
🫧

Microplastic shedding

Prolonged abrasion (e.g., against rough camera bodies or in bag-to-bag transport) may…

70

Camera bag with waterproof coating; PFAS treatment not disclosed by brand.

Waterproof or stain-proof treatment

Think Tank Photo and PFAS, common questions

Does Think Tank Photo have PFAS?
We graded 9 Think Tank Photo products, averaging Poor (45/100). 1 grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
Is Think Tank Photo non-toxic?
Think Tank Digital Holster 5 V3 is the highest-graded Think Tank Photo 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 Think Tank Photo products are lower concern for PFAS?
The highest-graded Think Tank Photo products we have scored are Think Tank Digital Holster 5 V3. That is our model-based estimate from materials and public disclosure, not a lab test.
Which Think Tank Photo products should I avoid?
The lowest-graded Think Tank Photo products we have scored are Think Tank Photo PhotoCross Sling V2 Camera Bag, Think Tank Hydrophobia D 24-70 Rain Cover, Think Tank Photo Airport TakeOff V2.0 Rolling Camera Bag. Each one links to the evidence behind its grade.

Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →