Think Tank Photo · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection Cases
Think Tank Emergency Rain Cover
Rain cover needs waterproofing; brand silent on PFAS.
This Think Tank rain cover uses treated nylon ripstop for water resistance but the brand provides no material transparency or PFAS statements. Waterproof coatings frequently contain PFAS.
The better-graded swap
Eylar Standard 16" Gear Equipment Hard Camera Case Waterproof with Foam
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
Nylon ripstop with waterproof coating, composition unspecified
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.
Unspecified waterproof coating chemistry
The coating type (polyurethane, PVC, or Teflon-family coating) is not disclosed. Teflon-family coating-based coatings carry PFAS risk (graded separately). Polyurethane and PVC coatings may release volatile organic compounds during manufacturing or if heated.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
New nylon ripstop fabrics and their coatings may off-gas odors and low levels of solvents during initial use. Airing the product before use may reduce exposure. This is temporary and dissipates over days to weeks.
Coating degradation and microparticle release
As the waterproof coating ages or is flexed repeatedly, it may flake or shed particles. These particles are not known to pose ingestion risk (product is not for food storage), but inhalation of degraded coating dust should be minimized by replacing worn covers.
Mildew and bacterial growth (maintenance failure)
If stored wet or in humid conditions, nylon ripstop can harbor mold and bacteria. This is a use and storage issue, not an inherent product defect, but requires user discipline.
What’s reassuring
Lead
No testing or recalls for heavy metal contamination in Think Tank rain covers are on record. Nylon ripstop is typically dyed with modern azo or reactive dyes rather than heavy-metal-based pigments, but the brand provides no color safety data sheet.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Think Tank Emergency Rain Cover is nylon ripstop with an unspecified waterproof coating. Ripstop nylon itself is inert and durable, but the waterproofing layer is the chemical unknown. Most rain covers use either polyurethane, PVC, or Teflon-family coating-based coatings to repel water. The brand has not disclosed which coating is used, making independent hazard assessment incomplete.
The brand's record and disclosure
Think Tank Photo is a specialty camera-gear manufacturer with no publicly available certifications (OEKO-TEX, GOTS, Bluesign) or chemical disclosure statements. The company has maintained silence on PFAS use in waterproof products, which is typical for this industry segment but limits transparency. No recalls or safety warnings have been documented for this product.
How it compares in its category
Rain covers are a niche product category with minimal regulatory oversight. Competitors (Manfrotto, Peak Design) similarly disclose little about coatings. Think Tank's design is durable and well-reviewed; the trade-off is chemical opacity common to all fabric-based rain covers. Alternatives include rigid cases (zero coating hazard) or uncoated fabric (less water protection).
If you buy it
Store in a dry location and avoid prolonged contact with skin or eyes if wet. Do not machine wash or heat-dry, as this may degrade the coating and potentially release volatiles. Replace if coating peels, tears, or visibly degrades, as structural waterproofing will fail. Ensure it is fully dry before storage to prevent mildew growth inside.
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
- Think Tank Photo has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.