Kelty · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Kelty Varicom Waterproof Compression Sack Large
Waterproof sack with unknown coating makeup and PFAS risk.
This nylon ripstop compression sack has waterproof protection. Kelty doesn't disclose the coating formula or PFAS content.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon ripstop with waterproof coating, composition unspecified
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Kelty Varicom Waterproof Sack Large is made of, ingredients and materials
The Kelty Varicom is constructed from nylon ripstop, a durable woven synthetic fabric with a reinforced grid pattern to resist tearing. The waterproofing comes from an unspecified coating applied to the nylon. Since Kelty has not publicly disclosed whether this coating contains PFAS (perfluorinated compounds) or alternative water-repellent chemistry, the actual composition remains a blank spot in the safety profile. Nylon itself is stable and non-toxic under normal use; the uncertainty is entirely in the surface treatment.
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
Kelty has not disclosed the chemistry of the waterproof layer. Traditional nylon coatings often use PFC-based durable water repellents; some brands have switched to polyurethane or wax alternatives. Without lab testing or brand confirmation, PFAS presence cannot be ruled out.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microplastic release
Nylon ripstop coatings naturally wear and flake over time, particularly with UV exposure and washing. Peeling coating fragments may shed microplastics into water or soil, though the volume from a single compression sack is small. Regular inspection and timely replacement minimize this risk.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence of formaldehyde-release finishes in Kelty compression sacks. Ripstop nylon typically uses melamine or polyurethane binders rather than formaldehyde resin, and outdoor gear brands generally avoid formaldehyde due to odor and performance issues.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in nylon colorants
Kelty sacks are typically dyed with standard outdoor-industry colorants. No recalls or complaints related to azo dye toxicity from this product line are on record. Nylon dyes used by established outdoor brands generally meet international safety standards, though composition is not always public.
Heavy metals
No documented cases of lead or cadmium in Kelty nylon textiles. Modern outdoor brands source from suppliers with heavy-metal screening, and compression sacks do not involve ceramic or metal-heavy coating processes.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kelty is an outdoor gear manufacturer owned by Johnson Outdoors and has a mixed transparency record on chemical composition. The company does not appear to have published a formal PFAS policy or commitment to avoiding PFAS in waterproofing across its product line. No significant recalls or safety controversies specific to compression sacks have been publicly documented. Kelty's silence on coating chemistry is typical for mid-market outdoor brands but leaves buyers without confirmation of whether the coating uses wax or polyurethane instead of fluorinated compounds.
How it compares in its category
Compression sacks occupy a niche between dry bags and basic storage. Many competing brands (including some premium lines from Arc'teryx and Patagonia) now disclose PFAS-free or low-PFAS coatings. Kelty's approach is neither notably worse nor leader-class; it represents the mainstream outdoor industry's incremental shift away from PFC-heavy finishes, though adoption remains incomplete. Budget alternatives often use uncoated or wax-treated nylon, which avoids PFAS but sacrifices water resistance and durability.
If you buy it
Store the sack in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and UV, as synthetic coatings degrade over time. Do not machine wash; clean with a damp cloth and mild soap if needed. Avoid storing damp gear inside for extended periods, as trapped moisture can promote mold growth inside the fabric (not a coating hazard, but a maintenance issue). Replace the sack if the coating visibly cracks, peels, or loses water repellency, typically after 5-10 years of regular use depending on exposure.
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 Varicom Waterproof Compression Sack Large?
- Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
- UV degradation and additive leaching
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 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.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 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.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore 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.