FisheWear · Waterproof Bags & Luggage
FisheWear Steel My Heart Duffel Dry Bag
Skip unless brand discloses waterproof coating composition.
Dry bags typically use water-resistant treatments, often PFAS-based. Dry Bag Co. shares no public disclosure on coating type or PFAS status.
The better-graded swap
Salomon
Salomon Extended Totebag
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
Fabric with waterproof water-repellent coating, unspecified type
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What FisheWear Steel My Heart Duffel Dry Bag is made of, ingredients and materials
This duffel combines a fabric shell (likely nylon or polyester) with an unspecified water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. water-repellent coating coatings are the primary chemical concern in this product category because manufacturers historically used fluorinated compounds (including legacy PFAS) to achieve water resistance. The brand has not disclosed whether the coating is fluorinated, fluorine-free, or what specific chemistry is used. Without this information, the coating's safety profile remains uncertain.
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.
water-repellent coating degradation and leachables
Unspecified water-repellent coating chemistry poses unknown risk of leaching or off-gassing, particularly if coating degrades from UV exposure or temperature cycling. Risk is elevated if coating contains legacy fluorinated compounds.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Lower-cost textile coatings sometimes use formaldehyde-based resins for dimensional stability; no specific disclosure from this brand suggests potential use, though most modern duffels avoid this practice.
Source, ATSDR ↗Bacterial growth in moisture-sealed interior
A fully waterproof bag with no air exchange can trap moisture and promote mold or bacterial growth if not dried thoroughly before storage. This is a use-error hazard rather than a material hazard, but relevant to product safety.
What’s reassuring
Polyester or nylon fiber degradation under heat
The fabric itself (likely polyester or nylon) does not present established hazards under normal storage conditions, but UV and heat can accelerate polymer breakdown and coating failure.
Heavy metals
The 'Steel My Heart' branding suggests a patterned or colored exterior; no recall or test data exists for this product, and reputable fabric suppliers typically test for lead and cadmium compliance.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Dry Bag Co. maintains public silence on waterproof coating composition and has not published a PFAS stance or material disclosure policy. No major safety recalls or third-party certifications for this product are on record. The lack of transparency around a chemical component that directly contacts stored items (particularly food or textiles) is a gap that responsible brands typically fill with published spec sheets or supplier certifications.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof duffels vary widely, premium outdoor brands often disclose fluorine-free coatings or avoid water-repellent coating entirely, while mass-market alternatives frequently omit specification sheets. This product falls in the middle tier with no disclosed differentiation. Competitors like Patagonia and REI brands typically publish coating data; generic brands rarely do, placing this in a category of average transparency.
If you buy it
Store dry bags in cool, well-ventilated spaces away from prolonged heat or direct sunlight, which can degrade polymer coatings and potentially release trapped compounds. Do not store food or cosmetics directly against the interior coating for extended periods; use an inner liner if storing sensitive items. Wash with cool water and mild soap only; avoid machine drying or high heat. Replace if the coating becomes visibly worn, peeling, or develops an unusual odor, which may indicate 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
- FisheWear has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to FisheWear Steel My Heart Duffel Dry Bag?
- Cordura nylon fabric
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
- Polyester webbing and nylon
- Azo dyes in polyester webbing
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Polypropylene shell, polyurethane foam, stainless steel hardware
- Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
More waterproof bags & luggage 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.