Granite Gear · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Granite Gear Drysack
Drysack uses waterproof coating; brand silent on PFAS.
Granite Gear won't disclose whether this dry bag uses PFAS or alternatives. water-repellent coating-coated nylon often contains fluorochemicals, though some makers do choose different approaches.
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Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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 durability and reapplication
Water-repellent coating coatings on nylon degrade with washing and UV exposure. Granite Gear does not publicly specify whether the original water-repellent coating is reapplicable or if the drysack must be replaced; users often report loss of water repellency within 2-3 years of heavy use.
Nylon degradation and particle shedding under heat
Nylon can degrade and potentially shed microfibers if exposed to sustained high temperatures (above 80°C) or flame. This is not a typical use case for a drysack, but storage near radiators or direct sunlight could accelerate fiber breakdown over years.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-based dyes or cross-linkers have been reported in Granite Gear drysacks. Nylon does not require formaldehyde resins for structure, and drysacks typically use minimal permanent dyeing.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes and color fastness
Drysacks are typically neutral-colored (gray, black, tan) and do not require reactive azo dyes. No color-bleeding or azo dye safety issues are documented for this product line.
Antimony in polyester content
Granite Gear Drysacks are nylon, not polyester, so antimony catalysts are not present. This hazard is not applicable to this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Granite Gear Drysacks are constructed from nylon fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed water without being fully waterproof. The nylon itself is a synthetic polymer with established safety; the water-repellent coating is where uncertainty lies, as manufacturers typically do not disclose whether they use PFAS-based or newer fluorine-free alternatives. Nylon is stable and does not off-gas formaldehyde or VOCs under normal storage or outdoor use, with lower concern for those hazards compared to many textiles.
The brand's record and disclosure
Granite Gear is a Minnesota-based outdoor gear company with a functional reputation for durability but minimal public disclosure on chemical composition or environmental stance. The brand has not published specific statements about PFAS use in their water-repellent coating treatments, nor have they advertised PFAS-free certifications. No recalls or safety controversies involving this product are on record. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry reflects a broader industry norm of non-disclosure rather than a red flag unique to Granite Gear.
How it compares in its category
Drysacks are among the lowest-hazard outdoor textiles because they are not worn against skin, contain no dyes that could shed, and do not undergo frequent washing that increases leaching risk. Most competitors (Sea to Summit, Outdoor Research, REI Co-op) also treat nylon with undisclosed water-repellent coating coatings, so Granite Gear is typical for the category. A few premium brands now offer PFAS-free drysacks, but they are rare and more expensive; this product occupies the mainstream middle ground.
If you buy it
Store dry and keep away from direct heat or flame, as nylon melts around 260°C. Rinse with cool water only if needed; avoid hot water or machine washing, which can strip and redeposit water-repellent coating unevenly. The coating will degrade after years of UV exposure and abrasion; expect to recoat or replace after 5-10 years of regular use. Never use bleach or harsh detergents, as these degrade nylon and water-repellent coating.
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
- Granite Gear has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
REI Co-op
Trailgate Gear Bin Green 140 L
Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
UV degradation and additive leaching
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Odor and volatile organic compounds from manufacturing
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern for bare plastic storage container.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Marmot
Tool Box
Nylon, polyester, cotton blend; details unspecified
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polyester and nylon manufacturing
Limited concern
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry unknown
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored polyester components
Limited concern
Verify this is not a garment and check for any water-repellent coating applied.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Patagonia
Guidewater Roll-Top Pack
nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Nylon microplastic shedding (abrasion)
Limited concern
Degradation and leachate from aging water-repellent coating
Limited concern
A water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
More 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.