Cabela's · Fishing Tackle & Gear
XPS Braid Fishing Line
Skip, fishing line coating composition undisclosed.
This braided polyethylene fishing line has waterproof treatment, but Cabela's provides no public disclosure of the coating's PFAS status. Waterproof coatings on synthetics commonly contain PFAS.
The better-graded swap
KastKing
KastKing DuraBlend Monofilament Leader Line
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Braided polyethylene/nylon with waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What XPS Braid Fishing Line is made of, ingredients and materials
XPS Braid is a braided polyethylene and nylon core with an applied waterproof coating. The coating composition is not disclosed by Cabela's, which is the safety concern, waterproof treatments on fishing line historically rely on PFAS-based Teflon-family coating to repel water and increase durability. Polyethylene and nylon themselves are chemically stable in normal use and do not leach significant toxins during handling or casting.
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
Waterproof fishing line coatings historically use PFAS-based Teflon-family coating; Cabela's does not disclose composition. Coating is not ingested during normal use but may shed microparticles if line is frayed or degraded.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from coating or braided fibers
Braided polyethylene/nylon lines can shed fibers, especially when cut, frayed, or degraded by UV. These fragments are not toxic but represent microplastic pollution if released into water; risk is environmental rather than personal health.
Ingestion of line fragments
Swallowing fishing line (whether braided or monofilament) is a known hazard in boating and fishing settings, particularly for children and pets. XPS Braid carries the same risk as any fishing line product; it is not a chemical hazard.
UV degradation of nylon core
Prolonged sun exposure degrades nylon, causing the line to become brittle and more likely to fray or break. This increases shedding of fibers and small particles, not a direct toxin but a degradation mechanism.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No testing or recalls indicate heavy metal contamination in braided polyethylene or nylon fishing line. Standard manufacturing does not introduce lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals into these polymers.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Cabela's (owned by Bass Pro Shops) does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of this fishing line's waterproof coating or confirm PFAS-free status. No independent recalls or safety alerts specific to XPS Braid have been documented. The silence on coating chemistry is typical for the fishing line industry, where proprietary waterproofing formulas remain undisclosed, limiting third-party verification.
How it compares in its category
Most braided fishing lines use similar polyethylene or nylon cores. The differentiator is the waterproof coating, premium lines from major brands (Spiderwire, Power Pro, Seaguar) likewise do not disclose coating chemistry. Some smaller manufacturers have begun marketing PFAS-free alternatives, though verification is difficult. Monofilament lines avoid braided coating complexity but sacrifice some strength and handling properties.
If you buy it
Avoid ingestion of frayed line or coating fragments, and wash hands after handling extended periods. Braided line is durable and does not require heating or special storage beyond keeping it dry and out of direct sunlight to prevent UV degradation of the nylon core. Replace when you notice visible fraying, reduced knot strength, or color fading, typically every 1-2 seasons of regular use. Dispose of old line responsibly as plastic waste rather than releasing it into waterways.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Cabela's has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to XPS Braid Fishing Line?
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- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fiberglass splinters from rod degradation
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Plastic body, tinned steel hook
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Microplastic generation from wear
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Monofilament nylon fishing line
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Microplastic shedding on degradation
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More fishing tackle & gear grades
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.