Marmot · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Marmot Long Hauler Duffel Expedition Bag
water-repellent coating duffels often use PFAS, Marmot silent on this product.
Heavy-duty duffel with water-repellent coating, probably water-repellent coating-treated. Marmot discloses no PFAS information for this model, leaving uncertainty.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
PFAS
Marmot has not disclosed whether the water-repellent coating uses legacy PFAS, hydrocarbon-based, or silicone alternatives. Hydrocarbon and silicone water-repellent coating carry lower toxicity profiles but durability varies. The lack of disclosure itself is the hazard.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Nylon duffels can shed fine fibers with age and abrasion, particularly at stress points and seams. If used to transport food or stored near living spaces, prolonged fiber release is a minor ingestion risk; risk remains low for luggage use.
Source: EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Dyes and processing residues in nylon
No recalls or published contamination events for Marmot nylon textiles. Commercial nylon dyeing typically uses azo dyes within regulated limits in the US and EU, though processing chemicals may include heavy metals in lower-quality batches. No evidence of this issue in Marmot's supply.
Adhesives and seam treatments
Sealed seams on duffels may use polyurethane or polyester adhesives. Off-gassing of volatile organics is typically minimal in nylon bags compared to coated fabrics, and no odor complaints are on record for this model.
Hardware (zippers, buckles) contamination
Marmot typically uses zinc-alloy or brass hardware; no cadmium, lead, or nickel sensitivity incidents reported. Hardware leaching into fabric or contents is not a documented concern for this bag.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Long Hauler is constructed from nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on PFOA and PFOS (legacy fluorochemicals), though modern alternatives exist. Marmot has not publicly disclosed which water-repellent coating chemistry is used on this model, making it impossible to rule out PFAS-based treatments. Nylon itself is stable and non-toxic; the uncertainty centers entirely on the coating.
The brand's record and disclosure
Marmot is a subsidiary of Wolverine World Wide and manufactures outdoor gear across multiple categories. The company has not published a comprehensive PFAS elimination timeline or material-specific disclosure statements comparable to competitors like Patagonia or Arc'teryx. For this specific duffel, Marmot provides no material safety or chemical composition data on retail or corporate channels. This silence leaves consumers without baseline information needed to make informed choices.
How it compares in its category
Most nylon duffels in the mid-to-premium range use some form of water-repellent coating treatment; many manufacturers remain vague about chemistry. Brands like REI Co-op and some Osprey models explicitly market PFAS-free or fluorocarbon-free alternatives. The Long Hauler is a capable, durable design, but sits in a crowded segment where competitors offer equivalent water resistance with transparent chemical policies. Price and function are competitive; transparency is not.
If you buy it
Air out the bag for 24-48 hours before storing damp items or food. Do not machine wash; hand rinse with cool water only, as hot water can degrade water-repellent coating coatings and potentially mobilize residual chemicals. Store in a dry place away from heat sources and direct sunlight. If water-repellent coating performance fades after 2-3 years of heavy use, replacement or re-treatment with a verified non-PFAS product is an option.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Marmot has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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.