Gregory · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Gregory Alpaca Gear Box Adventure Kit Backpack
Adventure pack uses water-repellent coating; Gregory silent on PFAS chemistry.
Gregory backpacks typically feature water-repellent coating finishes. No public PFAS disclosure exists from Gregory, and water-repellent coating treatments often contain PFAS.
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Material
Alpaca fiber/nylon blend with water-repellent coating finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Gregory Alpaca Gear Box Adventure Kit is made of, ingredients and materials
This pack combines alpaca fiber (a natural protein fiber) with nylon (synthetic polyamide) and applies a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to enhance weather resistance. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on long-chain PFAS compounds, though many manufacturers have shifted to shorter-chain or non-fluorinated alternatives in recent years. The nylon itself is stable and does not shed microplastics under normal backpack use, but the water-repellent coating finish is the primary chemical concern. Alpaca fiber is inherently less chemically processed than wool or synthetic alternatives, reducing exposure to dyes and resins during manufacturing.
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
Gregory does not disclose whether this pack uses legacy long-chain PFAS, short-chain PFAS, or non-fluorinated water-repellent coating. Given the brand's public silence and lack of certification, exposure to PFAS cannot be ruled out and is treated as possible rather than confirmed.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Synthetic dyes in nylon component
No specific recalls or hazards are on record for Gregory backpack dyes. Nylon is typically dyed with azo dyes or reactive dyes; modern facilities meet standard regulations. Risk is consistent with typical apparel.
Microplastic shedding
Nylon in a backpack pack does not shed microplastics during normal wear or outdoor use. Shedding occurs primarily during washing or abrasion; infrequent care minimizes exposure.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-based finishes are typical in premium outdoor backpack manufacturing. Alpaca fiber requires minimal synthetic resin treatment compared to cotton or polyester blends.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
No recalls or reports of heavy metal contamination in Gregory backpacks are on record. Industry standards for apparel-grade nylon dyes do not routinely include cadmium, lead, or chromium.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Gregory does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry of its water-repellent coating treatments or provide third-party certification (such as Bluesign, OEKO-TEX, or PFAS-free claims) for this product line. The brand has not published a public commitment to eliminating long-chain PFAS or reformulating existing products. No major recalls related to chemical hazards in Gregory backpacks are on record. This silence makes it impossible to confirm whether the water-repellent coating uses legacy PFAS, newer fluorine-free alternatives, or other chemistries.
How it compares in its category
Premium outdoor backpacks typically apply water-repellent coating finishes to protect fabric integrity; Gregory's approach is standard industry practice. Competitors like Patagonia and Arc'teryx have moved toward PFAS-free or third-party-certified water-repellent coating options and published those commitments. Gregory's lack of transparency on this point places it in the middle of the market, not proactive like certified brands, but not flagrantly opaque either. Alpaca-blend packs are less common than pure nylon or polyester, which can carry additional synthetic dyes and flame retardants.
If you buy it
Wash the pack infrequently (spot-clean with water and mild soap when possible) to minimize leaching of water-repellent coating or any residual coating chemicals. Avoid machine washing or high-heat drying, which can degrade the coating and potentially mobilize chemicals. Air-dry in shade or indoors. If you have sensitivities to fluorinated compounds or want to minimize PFAS exposure, contact Gregory directly to confirm the water-repellent coating chemistry before purchase, or choose a brand with published PFAS-free certifications. The pack itself (absent the water-repellent coating finish) is low-risk for typical outdoor use.
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
- Gregory has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.