Exped · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Exped Drybag Versa
water-repellent coating drybag, coating type undisclosed by brand.
Exped drybag uses water-repellent coating treatment for water resistance, but the brand won't specify PFAS-free status or coating chemistry. Waterproof outdoor gear typically contains fluorochemicals; contact Exped for details.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
Aqua Pure
3M Aqua-Pure AP802B Whole House Filter Housing
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
What Exped Drybag Versa is made of, ingredients and materials
Exped Drybag Versa uses nylon and polyester fabric with an applied water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating. The nylon provides lightweight durability and puncture resistance, while the water-repellent coating repels water but its chemistry is not disclosed by REI. This opacity is the main safety red flag, as water-repellent coating treatments historically rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or are increasingly moving to fluorine-free alternatives, and REI has not stated which approach they use here.
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.
water-repellent coating (likely fluorinated, composition undisclosed)
REI has not confirmed whether this product uses traditional fluorinated water-repellent coating (PFAS) or fluorine-free alternatives. Historical norms in drybag manufacturing lean toward PFAS-based coatings, but without disclosure, exposure risk cannot be quantified.
Coating degradation and leachable breakdown products
Drybag coatings degrade over time with UV exposure and repeated use. As the water-repellent coating breaks down, small particulates or residual monomers may shed into stored contents; this is a generic concern for all coated textiles but is heightened here by coating-composition opacity.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in nylon/polyester fabric
No documented azo dye issues specific to Exped Drybag Versa. Standard nylon and polyester used in outdoor gear typically meet color-fastness standards, but REI has not published dye chemistry for this product.
Antimony in polyester
Antimony (a polymerization catalyst) may be present in polyester at trace levels but is not expected to leach from a finished, sealed drybag during normal use. No contamination reported for this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-repellent coating and wrinkle-resist treatments occasionally contain formaldehyde releasers, but none have been reported or identified in testing of this model. REI does not disclose this specific chemistry.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
REI Co-op has not publicly committed to PFAS phase-out or disclosed the water-repellent coating chemistry of this product. The brand does offer some sustainable product lines but has not been transparent about coating composition across their gear range. No recalls or documented safety issues specific to this drybag are on record. REI's silence on this detail is notable given outdoor-industry peers have begun communicating water-repellent coating chemistry more openly.
How it compares in its category
Nylon drybags are standard in outdoor storage and generally pose lower chemical risk than coated technical textiles used in rain jackets or sleeping bags. The undisclosed water-repellent coating is the differentiator; competitors like Ortlieb and some REI house brands have begun disclosing fluorine-free water-repellent coating or certifying PFAS absence. This product sits in the middle, functional, but less transparent than leading alternatives on chemical composition.
If you buy it
Avoid exposing the drybag to prolonged direct heat or open flame, as polyester can degrade and water-repellent coating coatings may release fumes if overheated. Store it dry and away from direct sunlight to slow coating degradation. Hand wash only if soiling occurs; machine washing can accelerate coating wear. Replace if coating begins to visibly peel or lose water-repellency, as degraded coating residues pose unknown exposure risk.
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
- Exped 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
REI Co-op
Trailgate Gear Bin Green 140 L
- Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
- UV degradation and additive leaching
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Find an alternative on Amazon
Marmot
Tool Box
- Nylon, polyester, cotton blend; details unspecified
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polyester and nylon manufacturing
5 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Find an alternative on Amazon
Patagonia
Disperser Roll Top Pack 40L
- 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. See all of them.
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.