REI Co-op · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
REI Co-op Convertible Duffel
water-repellent coating-treated duffel. REI silent on PFAS; moderate concern.
REI Co-op duffels likely use water-repellent coating coatings, which historically contain PFAS. REI doesn't publicly disclose PFAS testing or PFAS-free certification for this product.
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Material
nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating treatment
Lab data
No public lab test
What REI Co-op Convertible Duffel is made of, ingredients and materials
The REI Co-op Convertible Duffel is constructed from nylon and polyester with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the fabric surface. water-repellent coating treatments historically relied on perfluorinated compounds (PFCs/PFAS) to achieve water-shedding performance, though some manufacturers have since shifted to fluorine-free or shorter-chain alternatives. Nylon and polyester themselves are stable synthetic fibers with low inherent toxicity under normal use, but the chemical finish applied to them is the primary concern for this product category.
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 chemistry (fluorinated compounds)
REI does not disclose whether this duffel uses traditional PFAS-based or fluorine-free water-repellent coating. Given the brand's silence and the prevalence of PFAS-based finishes in budget-to-mid-market travel gear, a fluorinated finish is possible but not confirmed.
Microfiber shedding during use and washing
Synthetic textiles including nylon and polyester shed microfibers during washing and wear, a well-documented environmental concern. Hand washing and avoiding machine cycles reduces but does not eliminate shedding. This is an environmental hazard rather than a direct consumer health hazard.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in polyester/nylon
No specific reports of restricted azo dye use in REI Co-op textiles. Nylon and polyester can be dyed with azo compounds, but established outdoor gear makers typically avoid the most hazardous banned azo dyes. No independent testing data is publicly available for this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-repellent coating finishes are distinct from formaldehyde-based wrinkle-resist treatments common in cotton. This nylon/polyester duffel is unlikely to contain formaldehyde resins, but no label disclosure confirms this.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester
Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst in some polyester production but typically remains bound in the polymer and does not leach under normal handling. REI Co-op does not disclose antimony catalyst use; standard polyester production may or may not involve it.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
REI Co-op does not publicly disclose the specific water-repellent coating chemistry used in this duffel or provide PFAS-free certification. The company has made sustainability commitments in other product lines but has not published a clear policy on avoiding legacy PFAS in textiles and coatings. This silence is notably different from outdoor brands (Arc'teryx, Patagonia) that have begun phasing to fluorine-free water repellents and communicating this change to consumers. REI's lack of transparency on this particular hazard class makes it difficult to assess the actual chemical risk.
How it compares in its category
Travel duffels and luggage commonly receive water-repellent coating treatments, and most brands remain opaque about whether they use traditional PFAS or newer alternatives. REI's offering is mid-market; comparable duffels from Osprey and Peak Design have similarly unclear disclosures. Higher-end outdoor brands (Arc'teryx, Patagonia) increasingly advertise PFAS-free finishes as a selling point. Budget alternatives often skip water-repellent coating altogether, eliminating this hazard entirely but reducing water resistance.
If you buy it
Store the duffel in a well-ventilated space for the first week to allow any volatile off-gassing to disperse. Avoid prolonged skin contact with the treated fabric surface, especially if you have sensitive skin or chemical sensitivities. Wash the duffel by hand with cool water and mild soap rather than machine washing, which can degrade the water-repellent coating finish and potentially increase leaching. Do not dry-clean or expose to heat above 60 degrees Celsius, as this can compromise the coating. Consider replacing the duffel if the water-repellent coating fails visibly (water no longer beads) or if you later learn the finish contains legacy PFAS compounds.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- REI Co-op has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
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Patagonia
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- 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.
More 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.