ToughSack Assorted Colors vs Duffle RC: which is safer?
Granite Gear ToughSack Assorted Colors is the clear pick. Ortlieb Duffle RC carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Our pick
Granite Gear
ToughSack Assorted Colors
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Excellent 81/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 1
Material
Cordura nylon fabric
Confidence
72%
PossibleHeavy metals in zippers or hardware
Ortlieb
Duffle RC
PFAS grade
Poor 40/100
Overall grade
Poor 32/100
Verdict
Skip
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Cordura fabric with water-repellent coating finish
Confidence
55%
Possiblewater-repellent coating chemistry (PFAS concern)
PossibleMicroplastic shedding from coating breakdown
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Heavy metals in zippers or hardware on the Granite Gear and not on the Ortlieb.
- We flag DWR coating chemistry (PFAS concern) and Microplastic shedding from coating breakdown on the Ortlieb and not on the Granite Gear.
- The Granite Gear is Cordura nylon fabric where the Ortlieb is Cordura fabric with DWR finish, 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.
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