Lowepro · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection Cases
Lowepro Adventura SH 120 III Shoulder Bag
Medium risk. Camera bag with unknown water-repellent coating, PFAS details not disclosed.
This shoulder bag does not have PFAS or coating chemistry disclosed. Waterproof fabrics commonly use fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments, but no public testing available.
The better-graded swap
GoPro
Fotodiox GoTough Silicone Mount for GoPro Hero & Hero5 Session Camera
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 unspecified water-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Lowepro Adventura SH 120 III Shoulder Bag is made of, ingredients and materials
The Adventura SH 120 III uses nylon and polyester exterior with an unspecified water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. water-repellent coating coatings on camera and outdoor bags have historically relied on fluorinated compounds (PFAS), though some manufacturers have begun switching to non-fluorinated alternatives. Lowepro does not publicly disclose which formulation is used on this model, creating uncertainty about whether PFAS is present. The interior and padding materials are not detailed in available product information.
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
Lowepro does not disclose coating chemistry. Fluorinated water-repellent coating is common in this product class; non-fluorinated alternatives exist but are not confirmed here. Risk is inhalation or skin contact during normal use is low, but disposal of saturated coating into landfill or water remains a concern.
Source, ATSDR ↗Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from coating and adhesives
New nylon bags with water-resistant treatments typically emit solvent odors (toluene, xylene) for days after manufacture. This is not toxic at household exposure levels but may trigger respiratory sensitivity in susceptible individuals; ventilation mitigates risk.
Coating degradation and leachate in prolonged water exposure
If water-repellent coating is fluorinated and begins to degrade (flaking, peeling), release of coating particles into water or soil is possible. This is a long-term storage or disposal concern rather than active-use hazard; normal use in rain poses minimal risk.
What’s reassuring
Polyester fiber shedding and microplastic migration
No specific data on microfiber shedding from this model. Polyester shoulder bags generally shed fibers at negligible rates during normal use unless abraded; water-resistant coatings may slightly slow mechanical fiber release.
Heavy metals
No recalls or testing results on record for this product. Nylon dyes in reputable camera accessory manufacturers are typically azo-free and heavy-metal compliant, but Lowepro does not publish dye specifications.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Lowepro (owned by Samyang Optics) maintains minimal public transparency regarding chemical composition or sustainability certifications. The company does not appear to publish PFAS phase-out commitments or material disclosure statements comparable to outdoor brands like Patagonia or The North Face. No major product recalls or chemical safety controversies are on public record for this specific model. This silence on coating chemistry is typical for camera accessory brands but limits informed purchasing.
How it compares in its category
Shoulder bags in this category (150, 300 USD price range) routinely use water-repellent coating-treated nylon without public coating disclosure. Competitors like Peak Design and Tenba similarly do not advertise PFAS status, making this product middle-ground in transparency. Higher-end brands may offer PFAS-free alternatives, while budget options often skip water-repellent coating treatment entirely. The Adventura SH 120 III sits at standard industry practice for water resistance rather than leading or lagging safety transparency.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a well-ventilated space for the first 24-48 hours to allow any manufacturing solvent odors to dissipate. Avoid sustained heat exposure (direct sunlight for prolonged periods, machine washing) which may degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially release volatile compounds. Clean with cool water and mild soap; do not dry-clean or use high-heat drying. If the water-beading performance degrades after 2-3 years of regular use, consider replacement rather than chemical re-treatment, which adds unknown coating layers.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Lowepro has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Lowepro Adventura SH 120 III Shoulder Bag?
- Optical glass lens with multi-coated optical surfaces
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- No PFAS statement found from the brand
- Glass lens (borosilicate or soda-lime glass)
- Optical coating degradation
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Optical glass, aluminum frame, non-coated optical surfaces
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Optical glass fragility and sharp edges
More waterproof camera & lens protection cases 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.