Case-Mate · Waterproof Personal Electronics Cases
Case-Mate Waterproof Phone Bucket Bag
Pass until brand shares waterproof treatment details.
Case-Mate keeps the waterproof coating formula private for this bucket bag. Without transparency or third-party verification, you can't gauge PFAS risk.
The better-graded swap
Case-Mate
Case-Mate x LoveShackFancy Waterproof Floating Phone Pouch
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
Synthetic fabric with unspecified waterproof coating/treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Case-Mate Waterproof Phone Bucket Bag is made of, ingredients and materials
Case-Mate Waterproof Phone Bucket Bag uses synthetic fabric (likely polyester or nylon) with an unspecified waterproof treatment or coating. The brand does not disclose whether the water-repellent finish uses fluorinated compounds (PFAS-based) or fluorine-free alternatives. Waterproof coatings on textiles historically relied on PFAS because of their performance, but non-fluorinated options exist. Without transparency, the chemical identity of the coating remains a major unknown.
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
The waterproof coating chemistry is not disclosed. Fluorinated water-repellents have historically been standard for textile bags; if used here, PFAS may leach into hands, perspiration, or water contacting the bag. Fluorine-free alternatives exist but Case-Mate does not confirm which is used.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and leachates
As the waterproof coating ages or is exposed to UV, heat, or friction, it may peel, crack, or leach additives (plasticizers, polymers, catalysts) into water or skin. The unspecified coating chemistry means the identity of these potential leachates is unknown.
Microplastic shedding
Synthetic fabric bags can shed microfibers, especially when rubbed or washed. If the waterproof coating is polymer-based, flaking coating particles may also release microplastics into wash water or the environment.
What’s reassuring
Synthetic dyes and azo dyes in fabric
No recalls or public reports of restricted azo dyes in Case-Mate bags. Standard polyester and nylon fabrics are typically dyed within regulatory limits, but third-party testing is not disclosed.
Antimony in polyester
If the fabric is polyester with antimony catalyst (common in polyester production), levels in finished textiles are typically below concern thresholds. No specific testing or concerns have been reported for Case-Mate bags.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Case-Mate (owned by ZAGG Inc., a subsidiary of Cambium Networks) has no publicly available statement on PFAS use in bags or accessories. The brand does not list waterproof treatment chemistry on product labels or websites. Case-Mate has issued no relevant certifications (Cradle to Cradle, OEKO-TEX, or PFAS-free claims) that would clarify coating safety. This silence is typical of mid-market accessory brands but leaves consumers without the information needed to assess waterproofing risk.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof phone and gear bags from competitors vary widely, some use PFC-free (non-fluorinated) coatings; others remain silent like Case-Mate. Premium outdoor brands (e.g., Patagonia, arc'teryx) increasingly disclose and transition away from PFAS-based water treatments. Budget to mid-tier brands like Case-Mate rarely provide this detail. A bucket bag is lower-body-contact (not a shirt worn for hours), which reduces dermal absorption risk compared to apparel, but does not prevent PFAS leaching into water or hands.
If you buy it
Keep the bag away from heat (sunlight, car interiors) to minimize any coating degradation or off-gassing. Do not machine wash; hand rinse with cool water only, as hot water and detergents may compromise the waterproof coating and potentially mobilize coating additives. Inspect for pilling, cracking, or peeling annually; if the coating delaminates, the bag's water resistance fails and any chemical residue becomes more exposed. Avoid storing in damp enclosed spaces where microbial growth or mold could promote coating breakdown.
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
- Case-Mate has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Case-Mate Waterproof Phone Bucket Bag?
- PVC outer jacket, copper conductors, standard connectors
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
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3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Electrical safety and insulation integrity
- Nylon jacket with copper-alloy connectors
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Nylon jacket degradation under heat or UV
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More waterproof personal electronics cases 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.