Granite Gear · Waterproof Bags & Luggage
Granite Gear Wedge Thwart Bag
Typical dry bag with water-repellent coating. Brand silent on PFAS.
Granite Gear dry bags typically use nylon with water-repellent coating finish, a common PFAS exposure route. The brand provides no public PFAS disclosure or testing data.
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
Nylon with water-repellent coating 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.
PFAS
Standard nylon dry bags typically use fluorinated water-repellent coatings; Granite Gear has not disclosed whether this product uses fluorinated or non-fluorinated water-repellent coating. Leaching risk is low for liquids and negligible for dry contents, but the absence of brand transparency creates uncertainty.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and secondary leaching
As water-repellent coating coatings wear over years of use, surface breakdown may release particles or bound chemicals. The Wedge Thwart is designed for outdoor/water use where UV and mechanical stress accelerate degradation. Practical risk is modest, but longevity of coating integrity directly affects long-term safety profile.
Off-gassing from water-repellent coating treatment
New or heat-exposed nylon bags with chemical treatments may release volatile compounds, particularly if stored in warm conditions. This is a short-term concern; airing the bag outdoors before heavy use reduces any volatile exposure.
What’s reassuring
Microplastics
Nylon dry bags are mechanically durable and do not shed microfibers under normal handling. Risk of fragmentation into storage contents is not documented for this product type and material.
Source, EPA ↗Heavy metals
Granite Gear bags are typically solid-colored with industrial-grade nylon dyes. No recalls or test results indicate heavy metal contamination in colorants. Risk is consistent with standard nylon bag manufacturing.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Wedge Thwart Bag is constructed from nylon with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the exterior. water-repellent coating treatments historically rely on fluorochemicals, though modern formulations vary widely between non-fluorinated silicone-based and fluorinated options. Nylon itself is stable and does not leach monomers into food or liquids under normal conditions. The coating's composition and potential migration into contents remains the primary chemical concern with this product type.
The brand's record and disclosure
Granite Gear is a small outdoor gear manufacturer with limited public disclosure on chemical treatments and supply-chain practices. The brand has not published statements regarding PFAS use, phaseout timelines, or water-repellent coating specifications. No major recalls related to chemical hazards have been documented for this product line. Absence of transparency does not confirm PFAS presence, but reflects industry-wide reluctance among smaller outdoor brands to detail water-repellent chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Dry bags and waterproof outdoor containers typically use either fluorinated water-repellent coating coatings (most water-resistant) or newer silicone and wax alternatives (fewer fluorochemicals). Granite Gear's product falls into the mainstream nylon-with-water-repellent coating category; competitors like Patagonia and Arc'teryx have begun disclosing or phasing fluorinated treatments, while many smaller brands remain silent. The Wedge Thwart's price point and feature set suggest it likely uses conventional water-repellent coating rather than premium non-fluorinated finishes.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place away from heat sources; water-repellent coating coatings can off-gas if exposed to high temperatures. Do not machine wash if avoidable; hand rinse with cool water and mild soap to preserve the coating and minimize any potential leaching. Inspect seams and the exterior surface annually for degradation or wear; a compromised coating may require replacement of the bag rather than repair. Avoid storing food with high fat or oil content directly against the interior if long-term contact is expected, as a very small theoretical risk of coating migration exists, though nylon bags are not a primary source of exposure.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% 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.
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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.