Kata · Waterproof Camera & Gear Bags
Kata Camera Glove CG-12 Case for Camcorder
Waterproof treatment source unknown; PFAS status unconfirmed.
Kata cases use water-resistant nylon and polyester, but the brand keeps the waterproofing chemistry private, making PFAS content uncertain without testing.
The better-graded swap
Manfrotto
Manfrotto PRO Light Tough TH-83 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/polyester with water-resistant 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
The exact chemistry of the water-repellent coating is not disclosed by Kata. While polyurethane-based coatings have lower environmental persistence concerns, Teflon-family coating coatings remain common and carry persistence issues, though dermal or ingestion exposure from a case is minimal during normal use.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Nylon/polyester microfiber shedding
No documented risk specific to this case. Nylon and polyester are stable under storage and moderate handling. Microfiber release is primarily a concern when textiles are washed or heavily abraded, neither typical for a protective case.
Off-gassing from synthetic materials
New nylon and polyester cases may have slight chemical odor in the first days to weeks, typically from residual manufacturing agents. This is not a documented health hazard for camera cases and dissipates with airing; no reports of VOC issues from Kata cases are on record.
Metal hardware corrosion or leaching
The case includes zippers and potentially brass or steel fittings. Under normal storage conditions, these do not leach into the environment or onto equipment stored inside. Risk is only relevant if hardware contacts skin or food, which is not the intended use case.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde-based resin finishes are typical in protective gear made from nylon and polyester; such finishes are more common in apparel and home textiles. No reports for Kata cases.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Kata CG-12 is constructed from nylon and polyester fabrics with a water-resistant coating applied to the exterior. Nylon and polyester themselves are stable synthetic polymers with low leaching risk under normal storage conditions. The water-resistant finish is the primary concern, manufacturers typically use either PFAS-based (Teflon-family coating) or polyurethane-based coatings to achieve water repellency, and Kata has not disclosed which chemistry is used on this model.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kata is a subsidiary of Manfrotto (owned by Vitec), a camera equipment maker with no publicly available PFAS reduction commitments or material transparency statements. The company does not disclose coating chemistry for its cases or publish hazardous substance policies. No recalls or safety controversies specific to Kata camera cases are on record, suggesting general product safety, but the lack of proactive disclosure is notable in an industry where water-resistant gear is increasingly scrutinized.
How it compares in its category
Camera cases in this price and durability tier typically use similar nylon-polyester blends with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings. Competitors like Lowepro and Peak Design have begun adopting PFAS-free coatings (often polyurethane or silicone-based), though many still use Teflon-family coating chemistry without disclosure. The Kata CG-12 sits in the middle of the market, functional and widely used, but not a leader in materials transparency compared to emerging alternatives.
If you buy it
Store the case in a cool, dry location away from direct heat sources and UV light to minimize coating degradation over time. Avoid prolonged contact with harsh solvents or cleaning chemicals, which may degrade the water-resistant layer. Clean with a soft, damp cloth only. If you are concerned about PFAS exposure, contact Kata directly to request coating specification; their silence suggests you may not receive an answer, which should inform your decision.
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
- Kata has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Camera & Gear Bags
Kata
Ergo-Tech Macro KB Mini Belt Carrying Bag
Nylon and polyester fabric with unspecified hardware
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Thermal degradation of polyester and nylon
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic fabric
Limited concern
Basic fabric bag without waterproof coating; lower PFAS risk.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Manfrotto
PRO Light Tough TH-83 Case
Polycarbonate shell, fabric lining
Polycarbonate degradation over time
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth in sealed storage
Limited concern
No coating described, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Manfrotto
Pro Light Reloader Tough-55 High Lid Wheeled Hard Case with Foam Insert
Polycarbonate hard case shell, closed-cell polyethylene foam insert
Polyethylene foam degradation and microplastic shedding
Limited concern
Mold or bacterial growth in foam insert
Limited concern
Hard case and foam lack typical PFAS-containing treatments.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More waterproof camera & gear 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.