Patagonia · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Patagonia Guidewater Roll-Top Pack
A water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
Patagonia says 100% of its new products from Spring 2025 are made without intentionally added PFAS. We record that as an unverified brand claim. Its record describes a water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, which is still counted.
Brand says: “Patagonia says 100% of its new products from Spring 2025 are made without intentionally added PFAS.”
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating finish
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Patagonia Guidewater Roll-Top Pack is made of, ingredients and materials
This pack is nylon ripstop, a densely woven synthetic polymer chosen for tear and abrasion resistance in outdoor use. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish is applied to the fabric surface to shed water without needing a membrane. Nylon itself is stable and does not leach monomers under normal conditions, but the water-repellent coating chemistry, not disclosed by Patagonia in public specifications, is the material question, traditional water-repellent coating treatments relied on PFAS compounds, and the brand's claim to have eliminated them requires verification against lab documentation the consumer cannot access.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Patagonia claims PFAS-free treatment but does not publicly name the water-repellent coating agent or provide third-party lab confirmation. The specific formulation and its safety profile cannot be confirmed from available product documentation.
Source, ATSDR ↗Nylon microplastic shedding (abrasion)
Ripstop nylon fabric will shed microfibers with use, especially when rubbed against skin or packed tightly. This is inherent to the material and storage-bag category; not a manufacturing defect but a wear property.
Degradation and leachate from aging water-repellent coating
As water-repellent coating treatments degrade over years of use and washing, breakdown products may leach into contents, particularly if food or skin-contact items are stored wet against the fabric for extended periods.
What’s reassuring
Brand-stated PFAS-free
The brand states this product is PFAS-free. We have not verified the claim.
Dye or finish off-gassing (volatile organics)
No recalls or complaints on record for odor or VOC release from Patagonia packs. Nylon can have a faint chemical smell when new, which dissipates; this is not a safety concern at typical outdoor use distances.
Seam sealer or adhesive off-gassing
Patagonia does not disclose seam-sealing chemistry. Standard polyurethane or thermoplastic seam sealants are not volatile at room temperature; no adverse reports for this product line are on record.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Patagonia has published a public commitment to phase out PFAS in water-repellent treatments and claims PFAS-free status for this line, but the specific water-repellent coating agent used is not named in product literature or care tags. The brand has a strong sustainability and transparency reputation, yet independent third-party verification of the water-repellent coating chemistry for this specific product model is not on record in public databases. Patagonia does disclose many material sourcing details, making the absence of water-repellent coating identification notable rather than disqualifying.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof outdoor packs typically use either nylon with water-repellent coating (as here), coated nylon with PU or TPU membranes, or fully synthetic materials like polyester. Nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating is lighter and more packable than rigid cases but depends entirely on the water-repellent coating agent; many competing brands (The North Face, Arc'teryx) also use unnamed water-repellent coating finishes. Patagonia's entry price and stated environmental goals place it mid-to-premium; the trade-off is that water-repellent coating chemistry transparency is still industry-wide weak.
If you buy it
Machine wash (if label permits) in cool water with mild detergent; harsh detergents and hot water strip water-repellent coating and may degrade nylon. Do not tumble dry; air dry flat or hang to preserve fabric integrity. Reapply water-repellent coating treatment annually or when water no longer beads on the surface, use a PFAS-free water-repellent coating product (check the label) to align with the brand's claim. Inspect seams and the roll-top closure before long trips; nylon can develop pinhole leaks or seam creep with age, not related to water-repellent coating chemistry but relevant to pack durability.
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
- Patagonia has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Patagonia Guidewater Roll-Top Pack?
- 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 AmazonMore 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.