Granite Gear · Waterproof Bags & Luggage
Granite Gear Foldable Waterproof Duffle Bag G5035 - Blue
Waterproof duffle with unknown coating. Brand silent on PFAS.
Granite Gear won't explain the waterproof coating on this polyester duffel. Waterproof textiles commonly rely on PFAS-based water-repellent coating but details remain unavailable.
The better-graded swap
Pelican
Pelican 1595 Air Travel Case
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
Polyester fabric with waterproof coating, unspecified water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Granite Gear Foldable Waterproof Blue is made of, ingredients and materials
This duffle is constructed from polyester fabric with an applied waterproof coating and an unspecified water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment. Polyester itself is stable and non-toxic, but the coating and water-repellent coating finish are the critical unknowns. Many waterproof gear coatings historically used Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or fluorinated compounds; others use polyurethane or silicone-based systems. The fact that Granite Gear does not publicly disclose the water-repellent coating chemistry is a red flag for potential PFAS content, though absence of disclosure is not confirmation of presence.
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 (water-repellent coating) coating composition
Unknown chemistry; polyester duffles with waterproof finishes often use fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments, which may contain legacy or short-chain PFAS. Granite Gear does not disclose specifics. Contact with skin or inhalation risk is low during normal use but cannot be ruled out during production or breakdown.
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) off-gassing from coating
New waterproof-coated gear may emit odors or low-level VOCs for a period after purchase, particularly if stored in warm or enclosed spaces. The intensity and duration are typically mild for polyester duffles. Airing the bag in a ventilated space for 24-48 hours before heavy use is a sensible precaution.
Coating degradation and leachables
As the water-repellent coating ages, its integrity may decline, shedding microparticles or releasing residual monomers into contact with contents or skin. No specific failure data exists for this model, but extended outdoor use in UV or wet conditions will reduce coating longevity over years.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in synthetic textiles
Polyester fabric in outdoor gear is typically colored with azo dyes, which are regulated in many markets. No brand-specific recalls or testing concerns are on record for Granite Gear duffles. Risk is minimal if dyes are fixed and not exposed to prolonged UV or moisture that could cause breakdown.
Antimony in polyester
Polyester production can involve antimony as a catalyst; residual antimony in finished fabric is typically negligible and regulated. No specific testing or reports exist for this Granite Gear product. Risk is extremely low under normal storage and use.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Granite Gear, a US-based outdoor gear manufacturer, does not publish detailed material safety data sheets or PFAS commitment statements on its website or product documentation for this model. The brand has not joined AFIRM (Apparel & Footwear International RSL Management Group) or similar transparency initiatives that would require explicit PFAS avoidance. This silence is typical of mid-tier outdoor brands and does not indicate a known violation, but it means you are purchasing without verified assurance about the coating chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof duffles occupy a middle ground, they are less risky than heavily treated textiles (e.g., water-resistant jackets with multiple chemical layers) but more exposed than untreated polyester bags. Premium outdoor brands (e.g., Patagonia, Arc'teryx) increasingly disclose PFAS-free or PFOA-free coatings; budget and mid-tier brands often do not. The Granite Gear G5035 sits in the transparency gap common to its price tier, making direct comparison difficult.
If you buy it
Avoid prolonged skin contact with the waterproof coating, especially when new or wet (off-gassing is minimal but possible). Do not machine wash at high temperatures or tumble dry, as heat can degrade the coating and potentially release volatiles. Store in a dry location away from direct sunlight to extend the water-repellent coating life. If the waterproof finish deteriorates visibly (peeling, loss of beading), the bag's utility declines but chemical risk does not increase; replacement is then a performance rather than safety issue.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Granite Gear Foldable Waterproof Duffle Bag G5035 - Blue?
- 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.