Arc'teryx · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Arc'teryx Heliad Crossbody Bag
Arc'teryx silent on PFAS; water-repellent coating likely concerns.
Arc'teryx's crossbody bag gets nylon with water-repellent coating treatment, common in outdoor bags. The brand won't share PFAS information, though water-repellent coating coatings typically involve PFAS alternatives.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating water-resistant coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Arc'teryx Heliad Crossbody Bag is made of, ingredients and materials
The Heliad uses nylon fabric, a synthetic polymer known for durability and water resistance. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to achieve water-shedding properties is the material concern, most commercial water-repellent coating finishes historically relied on PFAS-based chemistry, though some brands have transitioned to PFAS-free alternatives. Arc'teryx has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry it uses on this bag, leaving the PFAS risk unverified.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Water-repellent coating finish composition not disclosed by Arc'teryx. Nylon bags of this type commonly use PFAS-based durable water repellents; no independent testing of this specific model is publicly available. Risk is elevated by brand silence on chemical sourcing.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microparticle release
Wear and abrasion of water-repellent coating-coated nylon can generate micro-scale coating fragments, particularly if laundered aggressively. This is a known mechanism in synthetic textiles; not specific to Arc'teryx but relevant to product longevity and secondary exposure.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in nylon fabric
No recalls or public testing data for Arc'teryx nylon apparel implicating restricted azo dyes. Arc'teryx does not advertise azo-dye restrictions. Risk is baseline for synthetic nylon goods; no specific concern for this model documented.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Arc'teryx does not disclose use of formaldehyde-based textile resins. Modern performance nylon bags often substitute low-formaldehyde chemistry, but no public statement from Arc'teryx confirms this for the Heliad. Risk is not established as elevated for this brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
No documented recalls or testing of Arc'teryx nylon bags for lead, cadmium, or antimony contamination. Arc'teryx does not publish heavy-metal testing data. Risk is within typical industry baseline; no specific concern for this model identified.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Arc'teryx has maintained public silence on PFAS use and phaseout timelines, despite being owned by Salomon/Amer Sports, a conglomerate with some sustainability commitments. The company does not advertise PFAS-free certifications or third-party chemical testing results for apparel products. This lack of transparency is a notable gap compared to outdoor brands that have committed to PFAS elimination by specific dates.
How it compares in its category
Crossbody bags in the performance/outdoor segment typically use nylon with water-repellent coating coatings; Arc'teryx's formulation is standard practice. Competitors like Patagonia and The North Face have made public commitments to reduce PFAS, offering clearer chemical disclosure. Arc'teryx occupies the middle ground, premium brand, established reputation, but lagging in transparency compared to peers on fluorinated compound use.
If you buy it
Avoid machine washing; hand wash with cool water and mild soap to reduce coating degradation and potential leaching of finish chemicals. Do not tumble dry or expose to high heat, which can damage the water-repellent coating layer. Inspect annually for coating wear (loss of water beading indicates degradation). If the coating delaminates significantly, replacement or professional re-treatment may be necessary; retire if coating flakes into food-contact zones.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Arc'teryx has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Arc'teryx Heliad Crossbody Bag?
- Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
- UV degradation and additive leaching
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Nylon, polyester, cotton blend; details unspecified
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polyester and nylon manufacturing
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Recycled polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- PFAS
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.