Tamrac · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection Cases
Tamrac Photo-video 1 Model 5201 Strong Polytek Waterproof Bag
Skip this bag because its waterproof coating formula lacks verification.
Tamrac advertises waterproof polytek material but won't reveal the coating formula or mention PFAS. Waterproof camera bags commonly use water-repellent coating treatments that may contain PFAS.
The better-graded swap
Tiffen
Digital HT Twin Pack UVP & CP Screw-In Filter Kit
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
Polytek polyester with waterproof coating, unspecified
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Tamrac Photo-video 1 Model Waterproof Bag is made of, ingredients and materials
The Tamrac 5201 uses polyester fabric (polyethylene terephthalate) as its base, which is stable and does not leach chemicals under normal storage conditions. The waterproof coating chemistry is not disclosed by Tamrac, which is the critical concern, waterproof treatments on textiles are historically a major PFAS application, and without specification, you cannot know if this bag uses legacy PFAS-based hydrophobic treatments or newer non-fluorinated alternatives. Polyester itself is inert, but the coating integrity matters for long-term safety.
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
Unspecified water-repellent coating treatment on polyester is historically a major PFAS application. Tamrac does not disclose whether the coating is PFAS-free, legacy PFAS-based, or uses newer non-fluorinated alternatives. No known recalls or complaints on this model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyester microfiber shedding from coating wear
As the waterproof coating degrades with age, humidity, or mechanical stress, small polyester fibers may shed internally where camera sensors or optics could be exposed. Risk is low if the bag is used for storage and not heavily compressed or laundered.
Coating degradation and leachate release
Waterproof coatings (whether PFAS or non-PFAS) can hydrolyze or break down over years, potentially releasing residual monomers or additives. Direct contact with electronics and lenses is minimal, but moisture trapped inside a failing bag can promote mold and bacterial growth on contents.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Polyester fabric for industrial bags is typically dyed with reactive or dispersed dyes; modern suppliers avoid heavy metal-based colorants, but no third-party testing is on record for the Tamrac 5201 specifically. Risk to user is negligible (no skin contact, no ingestion).
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester textiles may be treated with formaldehyde-based resins for stiffness or wrinkle resistance; Tamrac does not disclose use of such finishes. Any residual formaldehyde would off-gas most during the first weeks of ownership. No complaints or testing on record for this model.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Tamrac does not publicly disclose waterproof coating formulations or PFAS avoidance commitments on product pages or technical specs. The brand has no known public sustainability certifications (Bluesign, GOTS, OEKO-TEX) or third-party chemical audits on record. This silence on coating chemistry is standard for many camera bag makers but leaves consumers without assurance that the product avoids PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatments.
How it compares in its category
Photo bags are rarely tested for chemical safety because they hold dry goods (cameras, lenses) rather than food or skin contact items. The Tamrac sits in the mid-market segment where waterproofing is achieved via coating rather than lamination, which is cost-effective but chemically opaque. Competing brands (Peak Design, Lowepro) also do not consistently disclose coating chemistry, making this a category-wide transparency gap rather than a Tamrac-specific failure.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a cool, dry space; avoid direct sun and heat above 40C (104F), which can accelerate coating breakdown and potential leachate release. Do not machine wash; hand wash with cool water and mild soap only, as agitation and heat degrade polyester coatings. Inspect the interior and seams annually for peeling, cracking, or discoloration, which signal coating failure. If coating visibly degrades, replace the bag, as the waterproof barrier is its primary safety function.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Tamrac has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Tamrac Photo-video 1 Model 5201 Strong Polytek Waterproof Bag?
- Optical glass lens with multi-coated optical surfaces
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- No PFAS statement found from the brand
- Glass lens (borosilicate or soda-lime glass)
- Optical coating degradation
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Optical glass, aluminum frame, non-coated optical surfaces
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Optical glass fragility and sharp edges
More waterproof camera & lens protection 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.