Dry Bag Co. · Waterproof Bags & Luggage
Herschel Supply Co Dry Bag Duffle 55L
Waterproof bags likely use water-repellent coating coatings. PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
Dry bags require water-repellent treatment, which historically used PFAS chemicals. This brand and product lack any PFAS information or certification.
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
Synthetic fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Herschel Supply Co Dry Bag Duffle 55L is made of, ingredients and materials
The Herschel 55L Dry Bag uses synthetic fabric (likely nylon or polyester) treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed water and maintain its structure. water-repellent coating coatings are the primary source of potential chemical concern in this product category. The synthetic base material itself is stable and does not typically leach; the coating's composition and whether it contains PFAS compounds is the critical 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
Waterproof bags in this category commonly use PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings (e.g., C6/C8 fluorocarbons), but Herschel has not confirmed or ruled this out for this model. Risk level cannot be determined without disclosure.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and leachate release
As water-repellent coating coatings age or peel, residual coating particles or chemical breakdown products may be shed. Long-term environmental or health impact depends on the coating chemistry, which is undisclosed.
What’s reassuring
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fabric
No specific recalls or reports of microplastic release from Herschel dry bags. Normal wear of synthetic fabrics can shed particles, but this is a general property of the material class, not a Herschel-specific issue.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or published hazards for Herschel dry bags from dyes or fabric finishes. Reputable manufacturers typically avoid high-risk colorants, but independent verification is not available.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Standard nylon or polyester thread and plastic/metal hardware used in dry bags do not typically contain reportable heavy metal contamination. No specific concerns identified for this product.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Herschel Supply Co has not made public statements about PFAS use or water-repellent coating chemistry in their dry bags. The brand does not list PFOA/PFOS certifications or sustainable coating alternatives on their product pages. Without direct disclosure from Herschel or third-party testing, the specific water-repellent coating formulation used on this model remains unclear. This silence is common in the soft goods industry but limits informed comparison.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial dry bags and waterproof duffels use similar synthetic fabrics with water-repellent coating treatments, so this product is typical for its price and function. Some competitors (e.g.Some competitors (Patagonia, Gregory) have begun publishing water-repellent coating ingredient details or transitioning to alternatives not linked to PFAS, but Herschel has not matched this transparency. A 55L capacity and design durability are standard for the mid-market segment; the differentiator is chemical disclosure, which is absent here.
If you buy it
Store the bag dry and away from heat sources; water-repellent coating coatings can degrade under sustained high temperatures (above 60°C / 140°F). Wash gently with cool water and mild soap if needed; avoid dry-cleaning or aggressive detergents, which can strip the coating. Inspect seams and coating annually for wear; once the water-repellent finish visibly degrades or leaks occur, replacement or professional re-treatment may be needed. Keep away from food storage to minimize any theoretical contact with coating residues.
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
- Dry Bag Co. has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Herschel Supply Co Dry Bag Duffle 55L?
- 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.