Sea to Summit · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Sea to Summit Evac Compression Dry Bag HD
Waterproof coating unidentified; PFAS risk remains unknown.
Sea to Summit's nylon dry bag includes a water-repellent coating for waterproofing. The brand withholds information on the coating formula.
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Material
Nylon fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Sea to Summit Evac Compression Dry Bag HD is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is nylon fabric (likely 6.6 or 6 polyamide) laminated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the exterior. The water-repellent coating is the critical unknown, fluorocarbon-based treatments (which may contain PFAS) were the industry standard for decades, but non-fluorinated alternatives now exist. Sea to Summit does not publicly specify which chemistry is used in this model, which is the primary concern.
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 degradation and particle release
As nylon fabric ages and experiences friction, flexing, or UV exposure, water-repellent coatings can flake or peel. If fluorocarbon-based, degradation products are poorly characterized but theoretically possible during extended outdoor use.
VOC off-gassing from adhesives or coatings
Laminated nylon products may emit trace volatile organic compounds from adhesive or resin layers during initial unpacking and storage. Off-gassing is typically minimal after 48 hours of airing in a ventilated space.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public records of formaldehyde resin finishes detected in Sea to Summit nylon dry bags. Standard nylon production typically does not require formaldehyde curing, making this hazard low-probability for this product class.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes (color fastness and migration)
Sea to Summit dry bags are typically black or neutral earth tones. No reports of azo dye contamination or color migration in this brand's textiles exist in public databases. Risk is minimal unless bag is exposed to extended heat and moisture simultaneously.
Antimony in polyester (if present)
This product is nylon, not polyester. Antimony trioxide is used as a catalyst in polyester production but is not relevant to polyamide fabric composition.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Sea to Summit is an outdoor gear brand with mixed transparency on chemical inputs. The company has not published a formal PFAS elimination timeline or material disclosure policy comparable to brands like Patagonia or The North Face. No recalls or public health violations related to chemical composition have been documented for this brand. Contacting them directly for water-repellent coating specification is advisable before purchase if PFAS exposure is a concern.
How it compares in its category
Compression dry bags are a commodity category where PFAS-free or PFAS-minimized alternatives are increasingly available (e.g., some brands now offer silicone-coated or polyurethane-coated nylon options). Sea to Summit's lack of public commitment to lower-concern water-repellent coating coatings places it in the mid-transparency tier. Competitors with explicit non-fluorinated certifications may offer lower chemical-exposure assurance if that is a priority.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat sources; nylon coating can degrade under prolonged UV exposure or heat above 50C (122F), potentially releasing coating particles. Do not machine wash; hand rinse only with water if needed, as detergents and agitation can accelerate coating wear. Inspect seams and fabric annually for peeling or flaking water-repellent coating, and replace if integrity is compromised. Email Sea to Summit's customer service before purchase to request water-repellent coating material specification; transparency response may inform your decision.
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
- Sea to Summit has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.