The North Face · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
The North Face Base Camp Gear Box
High risk. No PFAS disclosure from brand.
This gear box likely uses water-repellent coating for water resistance, a common PFAS vector in outdoor gear. The North Face provides no public PFAS transparency or third-party verification.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester, nylon with water-repellent coating
Lab data
No public lab test
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What The North Face Base Camp Gear Box is made of, ingredients and materials
The Base Camp Gear Box is primarily polyester and nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFOA/PFAS chemistry, though modern formulations vary; The North Face has not specified which type is used here. Polyester itself is chemically stable during normal wear and storage, but the water-repellent coating finish and any dyes applied during manufacturing are the main chemical exposure points.
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.
Azo dyes in synthetic textiles
Polyester and nylon can be dyed with azo colorants. The North Face does not publish dye chemistry for this product. Azo dyes used in outdoor gear are typically screened for toxicity, but specific testing for this gear box is not publicly disclosed.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Wrinkle-resistant or anti-microbial finishes applied during manufacturing may contain formaldehyde releasers, though outdoor storage gear typically uses fewer finish treatments than apparel. Not confirmed for this model; The North Face does not specify finish chemistry.
Source, ATSDR ↗water-repellent coating degradation and leaching
As water-repellent coating finishes wear or are washed, small amounts of coating material can shed. If PFAS-based water-repellent coating is used, this represents the primary exposure route. Modern non-PFAS water-repellent coating alternatives exist but are not confirmed for this product.
VOC off-gassing from finish treatments
New polyester/nylon gear may emit volatile organic compounds from water-repellent coating and dye finishes during initial storage in sealed packaging. Off-gassing is typically minimal with outdoor gear compared to home furnishings, and dissipates within days to weeks of airing out.
What’s reassuring
Antimony in polyester
Polyester can contain antimony as a catalyst in manufacturing. The North Face has not flagged concerns for this product category, and antimony in solid polyester items presents low bioavailability during normal use. No recalls or warnings on record for The North Face gear boxes.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not published specific PFAS phase-out commitments or water-repellent coating transparency for individual products, despite pressure from environmental groups. The brand does not disclose testing results or supplier certifications for PFAS content in gear boxes or similar soft goods. This silence is typical for outdoor apparel brands but leaves consumers without verification of whether legacy PFOA or newer PFAS alternatives are used.
How it compares in its category
Soft storage gear boxes from major outdoor brands (The North Face, Patagonia, Arc'teryx) all use water-repellent coating-treated polyester/nylon; none routinely disclose PFAS status on product pages. Patagonia has made broader PFAS commitments but product-level transparency remains limited across the category. A gear box is lower-risk than apparel worn against skin, since contact is indirect and duration is shorter.
If you buy it
Wash separately from other items on cold water, gentle cycle; avoid high heat drying. Do not use fabric softeners or detergents marketed as "stain release" products, as these may add additional coatings. Replace after visible delamination, cracking, or loss of water resistance, typically 3-5 years with normal outdoor use. Store dry to prevent mildew and bacterial growth inside.
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
- The North Face has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to The North Face Base Camp Gear Box?
- Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
- UV degradation and additive leaching
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- Nylon, polyester, cotton blend; details unspecified
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polyester and nylon manufacturing
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
- 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, all on its full breakdown.
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.