Sea to Summit · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag View
Waterproof dry bag; water-repellent coating treatment PFAS risk unclear.
Sea to Summit won't disclose PFAS in this dry bag's waterproof coating. Polyurethane dry bags may still contain legacy PFAS in their water-repellent finish despite the coating choice.
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Material
polyurethane-coated nylon with water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag View is made of, ingredients and materials
This bag is constructed from nylon fabric bonded to a polyurethane (PU) coating, with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the exterior. Polyurethane coatings are thermoplastic polymers that do not typically leach plasticizers like BPA or phthalates under normal use conditions. The water-repellent coating treatment is where PFAS risk concentrates, most commercial water-repellent coating finishes rely on fluorinated compounds to repel water, though Sea to Summit has not publicly disclosed whether theirs contains legacy long-chain PFAS or newer alternatives. The nylon itself is chemically inert in storage applications.
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
Water-repellent coating finishes on outdoor fabrics commonly contain perfluoroalkyl substances; this product's specific formulation is undisclosed by the manufacturer. PFAS can persist in the environment and bioaccumulate if the bag degrades or is incinerated.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyurethane coating degradation and microplastic release
Over years of use, UV exposure and flexing cause PU coatings to crack, peel, and shed microscopic particles. Risk is low for a storage bag that remains stationary, but increases with frequent handling or outdoor storage in sunlight.
Bacterial or mold growth if not dried properly
The waterproof design traps moisture if the bag is sealed while damp; prolonged storage in humid conditions can promote mold. This is a maintenance issue rather than a material hazard, but relevant to safe use.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Nylon production does not typically require formaldehyde resin treatment; this hazard class is not established for nylon-based dry bags unless additional dyes or durable finish processes are used, which are not disclosed here.
Source, ATSDR ↗Adhesive or bonding agent toxicity between nylon and PU
Industrial fabric lamination adhesives are not typically volatile under storage conditions and are not on record as a concern in polyurethane-nylon composites used in consumer gear.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Sea to Summit is an outdoor gear manufacturer with no widely publicized commitments to PFAS avoidance or transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry. No product-specific safety testing or third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or bluesign) are on record for this model. The brand has not issued recalls or advisories related to this product category. Absence of disclosure does not indicate safety, only that chemical composition details are not voluntarily shared with consumers.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof dry bags universally rely on either PU-coated fabrics or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) films; this design is standard. Many competitors (e.g., Osprey, Patagonia) similarly use polyurethane with fluorinated water-repellent coating without public PFAS disclaimers. Some brands now market PFAS-free water-repellent coating alternatives using wax or silicone, though durability trade-offs and verification are debated. This bag offers no differentiation on chemical transparency relative to mid-market outdoor gear.
If you buy it
Store at room temperature away from heat sources; polyurethane coatings can degrade when exposed to prolonged sunlight or temperatures above 60°C, potentially compromising waterproofness without posing acute chemical release. Do not machine wash or dry clean; hand rinse with cool water only. Inspect the seams and coating annually for tears or peeling; once the PU layer delaminates, the bag's waterproof function fails and should be replaced rather than repaired with solvents. Air dry completely before storage to prevent mold growth in damp fabrics.
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
- Sea to Summit has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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- UV degradation and additive leaching
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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.