Stormtech · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Stormtech Cascade Waterproof Knapsack
Skip until brand discloses waterproofing chemistry.
Stormtech Cascade is a waterproof pack with coating chemistry that remains secret. No PFAS statements, certifications, or lab testing data come from the brand.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon or polyester with waterproof coating, composition unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Stormtech Cascade Waterproof Knapsack is made of, ingredients and materials
The Cascade is constructed from nylon or polyester fabric with an unspecified waterproof coating. Outdoor gear bags typically use either PFAS-based durable water repellents (water-repellent coating) like PFC-based treatments or, increasingly, fluorine-free alternatives; Cascade Mountain Tech does not disclose which. The coating's chemistry determines whether the bag poses a leaching or off-gassing risk during storage or contact with food/skin.
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
PFAS-based durable water repellents are industry standard and documented in outdoor gear; Cascade's specific formulation is undisclosed but statistically likely to contain PFAS given no alternative is claimed. PFAS in coatings can leach into water or skin contact over time.
Source, ATSDR ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from coating
Waterproof nylon/polyester bags may off-gas solvent residues or monomers from the coating application process, particularly when new. This typically decreases within 2-4 weeks but can cause odor and respiratory irritation in poorly ventilated spaces.
Heavy metals
Metal fasteners on outdoor bags may contain zinc, nickel, or cadmium plating. Contact dermatitis from nickel is possible but rare with brief skin exposure; no specific testing data is available for Cascade hardware.
Source, FDA ↗What’s reassuring
Microplastics
Nylon and polyester outdoor bags do not shed microfibers significantly during normal storage use. Risk is negligible unless the fabric is abraded heavily or washed repeatedly; outdoor use over years may contribute trace amounts to the environment.
Source, EPA ↗Dyes in nylon or polyester fabric
Cascade bags are typically dark-colored (black, navy) nylon or polyester. Reactive and disperse dyes used in synthetic textiles are generally well-controlled in developed manufacturing; no specific recalls or hazard reports exist for this brand's colorants.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Cascade Mountain Tech maintains no publicly available transparency on waterproofing chemistry, ingredient sourcing, or testing for hazardous substances. No third-party certifications (GOTS, Bluesign, etc.) are evident for this product line. The brand has not issued statements addressing PFAS or alternatives, which is typical of smaller outdoor gear manufacturers but limits ability to verify lower-concern formulations.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof knapsacks across the market commonly use PFAS-based water-repellent coating treatments due to durability and cost. Premium competitors (e.g., Patagonia, Arc'teryx) increasingly disclose fluorine-free or PFC-free waterproofing. Mid-tier brands like Cascade rarely publish this information, making it impossible to assess whether the bag uses legacy PFAS, newer fluorine-free polymers, or silicone-based alternatives without contacting the manufacturer.
If you buy it
Store the bag indoors in a well-ventilated space away from food; off-gassing of coating chemicals is most likely during the first weeks. Avoid prolonged skin contact or storing food directly inside without barrier packaging. Do not machine wash or expose to heat above 60°C (140°F), as this may degrade the coating and accelerate leaching. Replace the bag if the waterproof coating flakes, peels, or shows visible wear.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Stormtech has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Stormtech Cascade Waterproof Knapsack?
- Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
- UV degradation and additive leaching
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 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.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore waterproof outdoor gear storage bags 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.