Outdoor Products · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Outdoor Products Dry Bag Backpack
Skip until brand discloses waterproof coating type and PFAS status.
This dry bag backpack uses waterproof coating on nylon or polyester for wet-use protection. The brand does not publicly state what waterproof treatment it applies or whether PFAS is present.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon or polyester with waterproof coating, type unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Outdoor Products Dry Bag Backpack is made of, ingredients and materials
This backpack is constructed from nylon or polyester fabric with an applied waterproof coating, but Outdoor Products does not publicly specify the coating chemistry. Waterproofing on textiles is commonly achieved with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finishes or polyurethane/PVC laminates. The unidentified coating is the primary safety variable, it determines whether PFAS chemicals, formaldehyde releasers, or other volatile organics are present. Without disclosure, you cannot verify safety.
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.
Azo dyes in polyester/nylon
Polyester and nylon fabrics may be dyed with azo colorants, some of which release aromatic amines under sweat and friction. Outdoor Products does not publish dye safety certifications. Risk is low for occasional use but higher if backpack contacts skin for extended periods or in warm, damp conditions.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon/polyester textiles are sometimes treated with formaldehyde resins to enhance water resistance or stiffness. Outdoor Products does not specify finish chemistry. Off-gassing is typically minimal in outdoor gear but may occur if product is new and stored in warm, enclosed spaces before use.
Source, ATSDR ↗Waterproof coating degradation and leaching
The unspecified waterproof coating will degrade with heat, UV exposure, and washing. Breakdown products may leach into water, soil, or skin contact areas. Risk severity depends on coating type (PVC and older water-repellent coating finishes leach more readily than polyurethane or other alternatives), which remains unknown.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from coating
Polyurethane and PVC coatings emit VOCs during curing and storage. A new dry bag may have a chemical smell, indicating off-gassing. Outdoor Products does not report VOC content or off-gassing test results. Off-gassing typically subsides within days of opening and airing the product.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester stabilizers
Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst and flame retardant in some polyester. Outdoor Products does not disclose antimony use. Risk is generally low in polyester textiles (antimony is bonded into polymer chains), but no testing data for this brand is publicly available.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Outdoor Products maintains minimal public material safety documentation. The company has not published waterproof coating composition, material sourcing standards, or chemical compliance statements on product pages or sustainability reports. No third-party certifications (OEKO-TEX, bluesign, etc.) are reported for this line. This silence on coating chemistry is the primary red flag, as it prevents assessment of PFAS or other hazard classes.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream outdoor dry bags (Osprey, Patagonia, Decathlon) now disclose waterproof coating type or hold bluesign or OEKO-TEX certification. Outdoor Products' lack of transparency is below category standard. Budget brands often use older PVC or older-generation water-repellent coating chemistry; premium brands increasingly adopt PFAS-free alternatives. This product's positioning and silence suggest cost-optimized materials without modern environmental screening.
If you buy it
Do not machine wash at high heat; hand rinse in cold water to minimize coating degradation and leaching. Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources; prolonged exposure can accelerate polymer breakdown. Inspect seams and coating annually for cracks, peeling, or delamination; discontinue use if coating integrity fails, as interior moisture migration increases. Request coating composition from customer service before purchase; brand silence warrants skepticism.
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
- Outdoor Products has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Outdoor Products Dry Bag Backpack?
- 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
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