Gregory · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Gregory Inertia 24 H2O Backpack
Water-resistant backpack. No PFAS disclosure from Gregory.
Gregory Inertia uses water-repellent coating-treated nylon for water resistance, a common application of PFAS coatings. Brand provides no PFAS information or certifications.
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Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Gregory Inertia 24 H2O Backpack is made of, ingredients and materials
The Inertia 24 H2O uses nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the exterior. water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor gear historically relied on fluorochemical compounds (PFAS family) to achieve water shedding; many brands have not disclosed what chemistry they currently use. Nylon itself is a stable synthetic polymer with low leaching risk under normal use, but the surface treatment is the primary chemical concern for this product.
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
Water-repellent textiles commonly contain PFAS. Gregory's water-repellent coating chemistry is undisclosed; composition cannot be confirmed as PFAS-free or PFAS-containing based on available public information.
Source, ATSDR ↗water-repellent coating degradation over time
Water-repellent coating treatments on nylon are temporary and degrade through washing, sunlight, and wear. As the coating wears away, residual fluorochemical particles may shed into the environment or contact skin during use.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No established reports of formaldehyde resin use in Gregory nylon backpacks. Nylon does not typically require formaldehyde-based wrinkle-resistance finishes as wool or cotton does.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in nylon coloring
No specific recalls or test results identifying banned azo dyes in Gregory Inertia packs. Commercial nylon backpacks from established brands generally comply with restrictive substance limits, though full dye chemistry is rarely disclosed.
Heavy metals
No documented issues with cadmium, lead, or other heavy metals in Gregory backpack dyes. Pigments in technical nylon are generally tested for heavy metal content by major outdoor brands.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Gregory does not publicly disclose the chemistry of its water-repellent coating or commit to PFAS-free formulations. The brand has not published a restricted substances list or transparency report specific to water-repellent treatments. Without official disclosure, the composition of the Inertia 24's water-resistance layer remains unknown and cannot be verified as PFAS-free or PFAS-containing. This silence is common in the outdoor gear industry but limits informed purchasing.
How it compares in its category
Most nylon backpacks in the 20-30 liter range use similar water-repellent coating coatings with unknown or mixed chemical profiles. Brands like Patagonia and Arc'teryx have published stricter chemical guidelines, though even their disclosure remains limited. The Inertia 24 is competitively positioned on durability and design; the chemical risk profile is typical for mid-range outdoor packs, neither better nor worse than comparable Gregory or competitor models without explicit PFAS commitment.
If you buy it
Wash the backpack separately from other textiles in cool water to minimize any potential leaching of coating residues. Avoid high-heat drying or direct sunlight for extended periods, which can accelerate coating breakdown. Inspect seams and coated areas annually for degradation; re-proof with aftermarket water-repellent coating products only if the original coating visibly wears away. Storage in a cool, dry space extends the life of both the nylon and the 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
- 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.