ALPS Mountaineering · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
ALPS Mountaineering Torrent Dry Bag Multi-Pack
Skip it. Waterproof dry bags typically contain PFAS coatings.
ALPS Mountaineering keeps their water-repellent coating treatment formula private and won't say if PFAS is involved. Waterproof coatings in this category usually contain PFAS, making the silence concerning.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
PVC or polyester with unspecified waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What ALPS Mountaineering Torrent Dry Bag is made of, ingredients and materials
ALPS Torrent bags are constructed from PVC or polyester with an unspecified waterproof coating. The coating is the critical unknown, waterproof dry bags typically rely on either Teflon-type coating (Teflon) or polyurethane-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments, or increasingly on fluorinated compounds (PFAS family). Since ALPS has not disclosed the specific chemistry, you cannot determine whether the coating contains legacy PFAS (PFOA/PFOS) or newer alternatives. PVC itself poses leaching risks under UV exposure and heat cycling.
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
ALPS has not disclosed whether the coating contains PFAS, Teflon-type coating, or polyurethane. Waterproof dry bags in this price and performance tier historically relied on PFOA/PFOS or Teflon-type coating. If the coating is Teflon-type coating-based, heating or friction during packing could release Teflon-family coating fumes. If PFAS, leaching into sweat or water contact is a concern, especially in warm conditions.
Source, ATSDR ↗PVC leaching under UV and heat stress
The base material (if PVC) can leach phthalates and BPA-analog plasticizers when exposed to sunlight, high temperatures (e.g., packed in a car trunk), or prolonged water immersion. Dry bags are often stored wet or in warm vehicles, accelerating breakdown of the polymer matrix.
Coating degradation and secondary contamination
No specific recalls exist, but user reports across outdoor forums document flaking or peeling waterproof coatings on budget and mid-market dry bags after 2-3 seasons. Once the coating fails, the underlying PVC or polyester substrate becomes exposed to contact with stored items and skin.
Lack of third-party safety certification
Unlike apparel labeled OEKO-TEX or Bluesign, this dry bag has not undergone independent testing for restricted substances. This is typical for gear products but increases reliance on brand integrity, which ALPS has not demonstrated through disclosure.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in colored polyester or printed designs
If the bag includes dyed polyester or printed logos, residual azo dye compounds could transfer to skin or contents under wet conditions, though no specific testing or complaints are on record for this product line.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
ALPS Mountaineering has not publicly disclosed waterproof coating chemistry or PFAS avoidance commitments. The brand's silence on this question is typical of smaller outdoor manufacturers, but it contrasts with competitor transparency statements from brands like Patagonia and Arc'teryx. No major product recalls related to coating toxicity are on public record for this line, but absence of disclosure does not indicate absence of risk. The lack of third-party certification (Bluesign, OEKO-TEX) further limits independent verification.
How it compares in its category
Dry bags occupy a gray zone in textile safety regulation. Unlike food-contact plastics, they face no mandatory material disclosure laws in most markets. Premium competitors increasingly market PFAS-free formulations (e.g., some Sea-to-Summit models use polyurethane-only coatings), while mass-market alternatives like basic PVC bags offer lower cost but higher leaching risk. ALPS positions itself mid-market, but the coating silence suggests either cost-driven use of older PFAS formulations or simply no commitment to transparency. This product is riskier than certified alternatives and comparable to unvetted commodity bags.
If you buy it
Minimize skin contact during use and storage. Store dry in a cool, shaded location to reduce PVC off-gassing and coating degradation. Do not use near food or drinking water without a food-safe liner inside the bag. Inspect seams and coating annually for cracks or peeling; once the waterproof layer degrades, the leaching risk from the substrate increases. Consider replacing after 5-7 years of regular use or if the coating shows visible wear. Hand wash only; avoid prolonged heat exposure.
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
- ALPS Mountaineering has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
REI Co-op
Trailgate Gear Bin Green 140 L
- Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
- UV degradation and additive leaching
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Marmot
Tool Box
- Nylon, polyester, cotton blend; details unspecified
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polyester and nylon manufacturing
5 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Patagonia
Disperser Roll Top Pack 40L
- 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. See all of them.
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.