Kelty · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Kelty Glendale 105L Hiking Backpack
water-repellent coating likely contains PFAS. Kelty provides no disclosure.
Kelty backpacks typically use water-repellent coating coatings to shed water, and these usually contain PFAS. Kelty says nothing publicly about PFAS-free options or what they actually use here.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Kelty Glendale 105L Hiking Backpack is made of, ingredients and materials
The Glendale 105L uses nylon fabric as its primary shell material, chosen for strength-to-weight ratio and inherent water resistance. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the nylon is the functional waterproofing layer. water-repellent coating coatings are typically fluorocarbon-based polymers, a category historically dominated by PFAS-containing formulations, though some newer non-PFAS alternatives exist in the market. Kelty does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry of its water-repellent coating treatment, leaving the presence and type of PFAS unknown from publicly available sources.
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 water-repellent coating finishes historically contain PFAS compounds. Kelty provides no chemical disclosure, so presence cannot be ruled out. This is addressed separately in the PFAS grade provided (20/100).
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Nylon fabric can shed fibers when abraded or washed, especially if the water-repellent coating degrades. Microplastic shedding is not specific to Kelty but a property of synthetic textiles; frequency increases with age and washing.
Source, EPA ↗Coating degradation and leachate exposure
Water-repellent coating coatings are known to degrade with time, UV exposure, and washing, potentially releasing residual monomers or solvents into contact with skin or food stored inside the pack. The Glendale's specific durability profile is not independently tested in public sources.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some nylon finishes and dyes can use formaldehyde-releasing resins for crease or wrinkle resistance. Kelty does not disclose use of such treatments, so presence cannot be confirmed or ruled out.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or public testing results specific to Kelty packs for lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in dyes have been documented. This is standard for major outdoor brands, but Kelty does not publish material testing data.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kelty (owned by Cascade Designs, Inc.) does not publish transparent information about PFAS use, presence limits, or phasing timelines for its outdoor gear. The brand has not signed the Outdoor Industry Association's Chemicals Commitment or similar third-party frameworks that would signal chemical transparency. No major recalls or health controversies specific to Kelty packs have been widely documented, but the lack of proactive disclosure stands in contrast to competitor brands (such as Patagonia or The North Face) that have committed to PFAS reduction or elimination.
How it compares in its category
Most hiking packs in the 100L+ range use nylon with some form of water-repellent coating treatment; this is industry standard. Kelty's positioning is mid-market; premium brands often disclose water-repellent coating type (PFC-free, C6, or wax-based), while budget brands rarely do. The Glendale's durability and cost are competitive, but it offers no chemical transparency advantage over peers. Alternatives using Teflon-type coating-free water barriers or wax-based water-repellent coating treatments are available at similar or slightly higher price points.
If you buy it
Expect the water-repellent coating finish to degrade after 2-5 years of regular use and moisture exposure; you can re-apply aftermarket water-repellent coating treatments (some PFAS-free options exist). Avoid machine washing in hot water, which can accelerate water-repellent coating breakdown and leaching. Store in a cool, dry place to minimize off-gassing from any residual solvents in the coating. Plan for eventual replacement or refurbishment as the waterproofing declines, rather than expecting permanent durability.
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
- Kelty has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Kelty Glendale 105L Hiking Backpack?
- Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
- UV degradation and additive leaching
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Nylon, polyester, cotton blend; details unspecified
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polyester and nylon manufacturing
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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- Recycled polyester with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- PFAS
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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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.