Pelican · Waterproof Phone Cases
Pelican Voyager iPhone 16 Case MagSafe Rugged
Skip until Pelican discloses coating chemistry or certifications.
Rugged phone case with unspecified water-resistant treatment, likely a fluorinated polymer coating. Pelican provides no PFAS disclosure or third-party verification for this product.
The safe swap
Griffin
Griffin Survivor Strong for iPhone 11 Pro GIP-023
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
Proprietary impact-resistant polymer with water-resistant coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Undisclosed water-resistant coating (likely fluorochemical)
The case's water-resistance almost certainly relies on a surface treatment, but Pelican has not published composition data. Fluorinated coatings are industry standard for water-shedding polymers and are the primary PFAS vector in phone cases.
Polymer leaching under prolonged heat or UV
Proprietary polymers can degrade and leach small amounts of plasticizers or unreacted monomers if exposed to high temperatures or intense sunlight over months. The case would develop visible discoloration or brittleness before significant leaching occurs, but risk exists.
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
As the water-resistant coating wears from handling and contact, microscopic flakes may shed into pockets or contact device surfaces. This is a minor but persistent exposure pathway common to all coated protective cases.
Magnet safety with medical devices
The MagSafe magnets are not a general toxicological hazard but may interfere with cardiac pacemakers or insulin pumps if held directly against the device for extended periods. Pelican does not provide explicit warnings on this.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Pelican does not disclose pigment sources. Lead or cadmium in low-cost polymer colorants is rare in premium brands, but without testing or certification, this cannot be ruled out.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Voyager case uses a proprietary impact-resistant polymer (likely thermoplastic elastomer or similar) as the base material. Pelican applies a water-resistant coating whose specific chemistry is not publicly disclosed. The MagSafe functionality integrates magnets directly into the polymer structure. Undisclosed coatings are a concern because waterproofing treatments on phone cases often rely on Teflon-type coating-family compounds or other fluorochemicals, which may persist and bioaccumulate.
The brand's record and disclosure
Pelican is known for industrial and outdoor protective gear, but maintains minimal transparency on material composition and chemical coatings for consumer products. The company does not appear to have published statements on PFAS avoidance, flame retardants, or chemical certifications for phone cases. No major recalls or safety incidents specific to this case model are on record, but the lack of proactive disclosure is a red flag for chemically-sensitive consumers.
How it compares in its category
Most rugged phone cases (OtterBox, Spigen, Caudabe) also use proprietary polymers and coatings; few voluntarily disclose waterproofing chemistry. Pelican's reputation for durability is stronger than budget brands, but comparable to OtterBox in terms of material opacity. Cases from manufacturers with BLUESIGN or chemical-transparency commitments (rare in this category) offer more assurance but cost more and are harder to find.
If you buy it
Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to minimize polymer degradation and coating wear. Inspect the case every 6-12 months for surface cracks, peeling, or discoloration of the coating; replace if the waterproof seal is visibly compromised. Do not deliberately expose the case to extreme heat (sauna, dishwasher, prolonged sun) as this may accelerate coating breakdown. If you are concerned about PFAS, contact Pelican directly and request Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or testing results for the coating; silence on this should weigh against purchase.
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
- Pelican has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More waterproof phone cases 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.