Outdoor Products · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Outdoor Products 40L Surf Dry Bag
Skip unless brand confirms waterproof coating is PFAS-free.
The dry bag requires waterproof coating for water protection, which often means PFAS-based treatment. The brand provides no information about what coating it uses or PFAS status.
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Material
Unspecified waterproof coating on fabric
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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
Without disclosure, the coating chemistry is unknown. If it contains legacy PFAS (standard in low-cost outdoor gear until recently), trace amounts may leach into water or stored food items, especially if the coating degrades. Fluorine-free alternatives are less well-characterized for leaching but generally pose lower bioaccumulation risk.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from coating degradation
Waterproof coatings degrade with age, UV exposure, and flexing. Shedding of microscopic coating particles into stored items or the environment is a known issue in lower-cost waterproofed textiles. No specific data exists for this product, but budget gear typically has less durable coating systems.
Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from coating or adhesives
Polyurethane or acrylic-based waterproof coatings and fabric lamination adhesives can emit low levels of VOCs during the first weeks of use or storage in warm conditions. Odor and headache are occasional complaints but depend on formulation. Outdoor storage and airing reduce exposure significantly.
Mold or bacterial growth inside sealed compartments
Dry bags create airtight environments; if stored damp or in humid conditions, fungal growth is a practical risk, though not a chemical hazard. Ensure contents and interior are completely dry before sealing. This is a use and maintenance issue, not a material defect.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or test results on record for Outdoor Products dry bags. Standard polyester and nylon base fabrics may contain residual heavy metals from dyes (cadmium, lead) if not rigorously sourced, but this is not a known issue specific to this brand.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This dry bag uses an unspecified waterproof coating applied to fabric (likely polyester or nylon base). Waterproof coatings on outdoor gear are traditionally formulated with PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") because fluorine compounds repel both water and oil. Without manufacturer disclosure of the specific coating chemistry, you cannot determine whether it contains legacy PFAS, newer alternatives like fluorine-free hydrophobic polymers, or proprietary blends. The coating durability and leaching potential depend entirely on the binder system and formulation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Outdoor Products maintains minimal public disclosure on waterproof coating chemistry and has not published statements on PFAS avoidance or material transparency. No third-party certifications (such as GOTS, bluesign, or OEKO-TEX) are listed for this product. The brand's silence on PFAS in waterproofing is typical for lower-cost outdoor gear manufacturers but leaves consumers without assurance of alternatives with lower concern. No major recalls or controversies are on record for this specific product line.
How it compares in its category
Budget-tier dry bags from this brand sit below premium competitors like Sea to Summit, Aqua Quest, or Patagonia, most of which now disclose coating type or claim fluorine-free formulations. Mid-market alternatives explicitly market PFAS-free polyurethane or silicone coatings. Outdoor Products' lack of specification places it in a category where PFAS risk is unquantified, making comparison difficult. For the same price point, competing brands increasingly offer transparent waterproofing alternatives.
If you buy it
Limit exposure by storing it in a dry location and avoid hand-washing or prolonged water contact that might accelerate coating degradation and leaching. Do not machine wash; rinse gently with cool water only. Inspect the coating annually for cracks, peeling, or cloudiness; replace if degradation is visible. Store away from heat sources and direct sunlight, as UV and thermal stress degrade Teflon-family coating and may increase particle shedding into stored items.
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
- Outdoor Products 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
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Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
UV degradation and additive leaching
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Odor and volatile organic compounds from manufacturing
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Lower PFAS concern for bare plastic storage container.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Marmot
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Nylon, polyester, cotton blend; details unspecified
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polyester and nylon manufacturing
Limited concern
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry unknown
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored polyester components
Limited concern
Verify this is not a garment and check for any water-repellent coating applied.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Patagonia
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nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Nylon microplastic shedding (abrasion)
Limited concern
Degradation and leachate from aging water-repellent coating
Limited concern
A water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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.