The North Face · Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
The North Face Summit Series Advanced Mountain Kit 55L Pack
High risk. No disclosure from brand on treatment.
This backpack uses water-repellent coating-coated synthetic fabrics common to outdoor gear for weather resistance. The North Face does not publicly disclose PFAS status or treatment chemicals.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon/polyester with water-repellent coating treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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 (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry
Nylon and polyester outdoor packs typically use fluorinated water-repellent coating treatments. The North Face has not disclosed whether this pack uses legacy PFOA-based, newer short-chain PFAS, or fluorine-free water-repellent coating; available information indicates likely PFAS content but exact formulation is unknown.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and nylon blends may contain trace formaldehyde resins used in wrinkle-resistance or shape-retention treatments. At this product's price point and use case, formaldehyde burden is typically low, but off-gassing is possible in new packs stored in warm, poorly ventilated spaces.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony in polyester fiber
Polyester resins sometimes contain antimony oxide as a catalyst; trace migration is theoretically possible but typically negligible in exterior-only contact and does not enter food. No specific testing has been published for this pack.
Coating degradation and leaching over time
Water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor packs gradually degrade with use and washing, particularly in harsh UV and thermal cycles. As the coating deteriorates, chemical leaching into sweat and water increases; this is a known and unavoidable aspect of technical packs.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
The North Face does not disclose dye chemistry for this pack. Nylon and polyester are routinely dyed with azo and disperse dyes; heavy metal (chromium, cadmium) contamination is rare in branded outdoor gear but not independently tested for this product.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Summit Series pack uses nylon and polyester blended fabrics with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the exterior. water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor gear historically relied on PFOA-based chemistry; modern formulations may use shorter-chain PFAS or fluorine-free alternatives, but The North Face has not publicly disclosed which is used here. The nylon/polyester blend itself is stable under normal use, but the water-repellent coating treatment is the primary chemical exposure vector.
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face (owned by VF Corporation) has not published specific commitments regarding PFAS use or treatment ingredient lists for individual products, despite industry-wide pressure starting circa 2019. The brand offers no third-party certifications (like GOTS or bluesign) for this technical pack. VF Corporation's parent statements on 'reducing' PFAS are vague and lack product-level traceability, leaving water-repellent coating chemistry opaque for consumers.
How it compares in its category
High-performance mountain packs almost universally use water-repellent coating coatings; most major brands (Osprey, Arc'teryx, Patagonia) similarly do not disclose PFAS status product-by-product. Some brands (notably Patagonia) have published PFAS reduction roadmaps; The North Face lags in transparency. Fluorine-free alternatives exist but are not standard in premium mountaineering gear, making this pack typical rather than exceptional in its hazard profile.
If you buy it
Wash infrequently and in cold water to minimize water-repellent coating leaching; avoid hot water and machine drying, which degrade coatings and may release volatiles. Do not use harsh detergents or dry cleaning solvents. Air-dry completely before storage. Replace the pack if the exterior coating visibly peels or delaminates, as this signals coating breakdown and increased chemical leaching risk. Minimize skin contact with the exterior water-repellent coating surface, especially when wet or during high-friction use.
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
- The North Face has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Waterproof Outdoor Gear Storage Bags
REI Co-op
Trailgate Gear Bin Green 140 L
Polypropylene storage bin, no water-resistant coating mentioned
UV degradation and additive leaching
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Odor and volatile organic compounds from manufacturing
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern for bare plastic storage container.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Marmot
Tool Box
Nylon, polyester, cotton blend; details unspecified
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polyester and nylon manufacturing
Limited concern
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry unknown
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored polyester components
Limited concern
Verify this is not a garment and check for any water-repellent coating applied.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Patagonia
Guidewater Roll-Top Pack
nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating finish
PFAS
Limited concern
Nylon microplastic shedding (abrasion)
Limited concern
Degradation and leachate from aging water-repellent coating
Limited concern
A water-repellent or grease-resistant treatment of unstated chemistry, with a brand PFAS statement we have not verified.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
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.