Pelican · Waterproof Bags & Luggage
Pelican MPD100 Mobile Protect Duffel Bag
Durable duffel. Waterproof coating raises PFAS concern, details unclear.
Pelican's MPD100 is a rugged duffel with waterproof treatment common in luggage. No public PFAS disclosure or testing exists, and coating composition remains unspecified.
The better-graded swap
Granite Gear
Granite Gear ToughSack Assorted Colors
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon/polyester fabric with waterproof coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Pelican MPD100 Mobile Protect Duffel Bag is made of, ingredients and materials
The MPD100 uses nylon and polyester base fabrics with an applied waterproof coating. The coating chemistry is not publicly disclosed by Pelican, which is the key safety question, waterproof finishes on luggage/duffels are often fluorocarbon-based (PFAS compounds) to achieve water repellency and durability. Nylon and polyester themselves are stable thermoplastics with low leaching risk under normal storage and use conditions. The risk centers on the coating, not the fabric substrate.
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
Waterproof duffel coatings commonly use fluorocarbon-based compounds; Pelican does not disclose the specific chemistry, so the presence and type of PFAS cannot be ruled out. This is a material-category risk, not a brand-specific finding.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microfiber release
As the polyurethane or Teflon-family coating ages or flakes from wear, microscopic particles may shed into hands or laundry. No recalls or health complaints on record for this model, but degradation is inherent to coated textiles.
What’s reassuring
Chemical off-gassing from fabric finishes
Nylon and polyester fabrics may carry residual chemical treatments (dyes, softeners) from manufacturing, but Pelican duffels are not known for odor or VOC complaints. Typical industrial washing and airing before use minimizes this risk.
Azo dyes in colored fabric
Polyester and nylon duffels are often dyed with standard colorants; azo dyes (banned in EU, restricted in some regions) are not specifically flagged for Pelican products, and no recalls exist. Without testing, presence cannot be confirmed or ruled out.
Heavy metals
No contamination reports or recalls for lead, cadmium, or other metals in Pelican duffels. This is a minor risk category for non-apparel textiles but remains unverified without third-party testing.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican specializes in protective equipment and cases; they do not publish material safety disclosures, restricted substance lists, or PFAS commitments in publicly available documents. The company has no known major recalls or safety controversies specific to fabric products, but their silence on coating composition is notable given industry awareness of PFAS in water-resistant textiles. No third-party certifications (Oeko-Tex, Bluesign, etc.) are marketed for this model.
How it compares in its category
Nylon duffels with waterproof coatings are standard in tactical and outdoor luggage. Many competitors (Peak Design, Maxpedition, military suppliers) similarly do not disclose coating type. Some brands now explicitly avoid PFAS or use alternative hydrophobic treatments (wax, silicone, polyurethane), but this is not yet industry standard. The MPD100 sits in the mainstream, functional and durable, but indistinguishable from peers on transparency.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from prolonged heat or direct sunlight, which can degrade coatings over time. Do not machine wash; clean with mild soap and water and air dry to preserve the waterproof layer. Inspect the coating annually for peeling or degradation; if it delaminates, the underlying fabric will lose water resistance. If PFAS concern is a dealbreaker, contact Pelican directly to request coating composition before purchase, as this information is not published.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Pelican has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More waterproof bags & luggage 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.