Eddie Bauer · Waterproof Bags & Luggage
Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 45L Duffel Bag
Packable duffel with water-repellent coating; Eddie Bauer silent on PFAS information.
This packable duffel uses water-repellent coating treatment to shed water, a finish that traditionally contained PFAS. Eddie Bauer reveals nothing about what coating formula it applies or whether PFAS is present.
The better-graded swap
Granite Gear
Granite Gear ToughSack Assorted Colors
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
Nylon or polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Eddie Bauer Stowaway Packable 45L Duffel is made of, ingredients and materials
The Stowaway Packable 45L uses nylon or polyester fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment applied to the surface. This coating makes the bag water-resistant without a plastic lining, which means it sheds water but remains breathable. water-repellent coating finishes on technical textiles are typically fluorocarbon-based (PFAS), though some brands have switched to non-fluorinated alternatives; Eddie Bauer's silence on which version they use creates ambiguity around PFAS exposure during normal handling and washing.
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 leaching (fluorocarbon-based)
If this bag uses fluorinated water-repellent coating (not disclosed), incidental skin contact and hand-washing water exposure is possible. Risk is low during normal use but increases with friction, abrasion, or machine washing.
Microplastic shedding from coating or fibers
Abrasion of the water-repellent coating layer or nylon fibers during washing and use can release microplastics into water. Rate depends on coating durability and washing frequency; untreated alternatives avoid this entirely.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in colored nylon/polyester
No established incidents or warnings for Eddie Bauer packable gear. Standard nylon dyes are regulated, but batch testing records are not publicly available for this specific model.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon textiles may contain residual formaldehyde from production finishes; Eddie Bauer does not publish test results. Levels in sealed finished goods are typically minimal but not zero.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
The Stowaway has minimal branding; if screen-printed or embroidered labels are used, heavy metals (cadmium, lead) in inks are possible but not reported for this product line.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Eddie Bauer does not publicly disclose water-repellent coating treatment chemistry or provide PFAS-free certifications for their gear. The brand has no documented recalls or safety controversies tied to their packable duffels. Eddie Bauer's parent company (Schneider National subsidiary, then private equity owned) does not maintain a visible PFAS elimination commitment or transparency program comparable to outdoor peers like Patagonia or Aldi. Without direct communication, buyers cannot confirm whether this bag uses legacy fluorinated water-repellent coating or newer non-fluorinated formulations.
How it compares in its category
Most packable duffels at this price point use water-repellent coating-treated nylon without chemical disclosure. Premium competitors (Patagonia, REI Co-op) increasingly label their water-repellent coating as fluorine-free or explicitly state PFAS avoidance. Budget alternatives (Amazon Basics, Walmart house brands) offer untreated or wax-coated versions with no water resistance and less chemical ambiguity, though less functionality. The Stowaway sits mid-market with functional performance but below-average transparency.
If you buy it
Wash the bag by hand in cool water with mild soap before first use to rinse loose coatings. Avoid machine washing and high heat, which can degrade the water-repellent coating layer and potentially release treatment chemicals. Store in a cool, dry place; the duffel does not require reproofing for several years if cared for gently. If the bag loses water resistance or the coating visibly degrades, consider replacement rather than chemical reproof to limit PFAS reapplication.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Eddie Bauer has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.