The North Face · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel
water-repellent coating finish chemistry not stated. PFAS concern cannot be assessed.
This duffel has a water-repellent finish applied to nylon, but The North Face has not disclosed whether the water-repellent coating treatment contains PFAS. Without information on the coating chemistry, the level of PFAS concern for this product cannot be determined.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon with water-repellent coating water-repellent finish
Lab data
No public lab test
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What The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel is made of, ingredients and materials
The Base Camp Voyager is constructed from nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the surface. Nylon itself is a synthetic polymer with a long safety track record; the concern here is entirely the water-repellent coating, which historically has relied on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS) to achieve water resistance. The North Face has not publicly disclosed whether this specific product uses legacy PFAS-based water-repellent coating, fluorine-free alternatives, or a hybrid formulation.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
The nylon fabric almost certainly carries a water-repellent coating; The North Face has not disclosed whether it contains legacy PFAS (PFOA, PFOS) or modern fluorine-free alternatives. Exposure risk during normal use is low but possible if coating degrades, and manufacturing/disposal may involve PFAS contamination of water systems.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and particulate shedding
Heavy use, washing, or exposure to UV and heat can cause the water-repellent coating layer to break down over 3-5 years. Shed coating microparticles could theoretically include fluorinated polymers, though health impact of inhalation or ingestion in this context is not quantified.
What’s reassuring
Nylon polymer off-gassing
Nylon itself does not typically off-gas VOCs or formaldehyde resins under normal storage or use conditions. No recalls or published safety incidents specific to The North Face nylon duffels are on record.
Dye or pigment contamination
The North Face uses mainstream commercial dyeing for nylon textiles. No specific azo dye or heavy metal contamination issues have been reported for this brand or product line. Standard textile industry compliance is assumed but not independently verified here.
Flame retardants
Nylon duffels are not treated with flame retardants for regulatory compliance, and antimony is not a common additive in apparel-grade nylon. No evidence of such additives in The North Face products is on public record.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not issued category-wide commitments to PFAS elimination comparable to competitors like Patagonia or Arc'teryx. The brand has not published testing results, material safety data sheets, or water-repellent coating chemistry transparency for consumer products. This silence is notable given that major apparel and gear makers have increasingly moved toward fluorine-free water-repellent coating systems since the mid-2010s due to regulatory pressure and public concern. Without disclosure, purchasers cannot assess the actual risk profile.
How it compares in its category
Within the travel duffel and gear-bag category, this is a mid-to-premium product with robust construction and reputation. Competitors including REI Co-op brands, Patagonia, and some newer direct-to-consumer manufacturers have begun disclosing water-repellent coating formulations or switching to PFAS-free alternatives; The North Face's silence puts it behind the transparency curve. Nylon duffels without water-repellent coatings eliminate water-repellent coating hazard entirely but sacrifice weather resistance.
If you buy it
Do not machine wash at high temperatures; hand rinse with cool water and mild soap, as hot water may release coating particles or degrade water-repellent coating performance. Avoid prolonged contact with skin or food if the bag is heavily worn or the coating is visibly peeling. Store in a dry place away from direct heat or UV, which can accelerate coating degradation over years. Consider requesting written water-repellent coating composition details from The North Face customer service before purchase to inform your decision.
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 Voyager Duffel?
- 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.
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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.