Expandable Duffle Bag vs ToughSack Assorted Colors: which is safer?
Granite Gear ToughSack Assorted Colors is the clear pick. Cabela's Expandable Duffle Bag carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Cabela's
Expandable Duffle Bag
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from water-repellent coating
ReportedMicrofiber shedding from coated polyester
PossibleCoating degradation and leaching with heat or moisture
Our pick
Granite Gear
ToughSack Assorted Colors
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleHeavy metals in zippers or hardware
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from DWR coating, Microfiber shedding from coated polyester, Coating degradation and leaching with heat or moisture and PFAS in water-resistant treatment on the Cabela's and not on the Granite Gear.
- We flag Heavy metals in zippers or hardware on the Granite Gear and not on the Cabela's.
- The Cabela's is Polyester with water-resistant treatment where the Granite Gear is Cordura nylon fabric, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Granite Gear is the one to buy.
- We are less certain about the Cabela's grade, at 45% confidence against 72%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More waterproof bags & luggage, see the full ranking