Think Tank Photo · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection Cases
Think Tank Photo Airport TakeOff V2.0 Rolling Camera Bag
Rolling bag with likely water-repellent coating; brand silent on PFAS.
Think Tank Photo does not disclose PFAS information or water-repellent coating chemistry for this ballistic nylon rolling bag. Fluorinated water-repellent finishes are typical but specifics unavailable.
The better-graded swap
OtterBox
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85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
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Material
Ballistic nylon with water-repellent coating water-resistant 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 degradation and potential microparticle release
Ballistic nylon water-repellent coating treatments can flake or degrade over years of use, especially if exposed to abrasion, heat, or UV. No specific data on this model exists, but any fluorochemical coating carries a theoretical risk of particulate shedding if maintenance is poor.
Mold and bacterial growth if stored damp
Any fabric bag stored without drying after rain or humid exposure can harbor mold or bacteria, independent of material chemistry. Regular inspection and dry storage eliminate this hazard.
What’s reassuring
Off-gassing from synthetic materials and adhesives
Ballistic nylon and the seams/adhesives in rolling bags can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when new. Think Tank Photo does not publish VOC/formaldehyde test data for this product; risk is low for a closed storage item but not documented.
Heavy metals
Ballistic nylon fabrics are sometimes dyed with azo dyes that can contain residual heavy metals (lead, cadmium, chromium). No recalls or test failures for Think Tank Photo bags have been recorded; industry standard dyeing does not typically result in leachable levels, but verification is unavailable.
Source, FDA ↗Plastic zippers and hardware leachables
Rolling bags include plastic zippers and metal hardware; no established contamination pathway to contents or skin for typical camera-gear use. Think Tank Photo does not specify material sourcing for hardware.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Airport TakeOff V2.0 uses ballistic nylon, a tightly woven synthetic fabric that is inherently durable and abrasion-resistant. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment applied to the exterior is the material concern, most commercial water-repellent coating coatings on camera bags use fluorochemical compounds to achieve water shedding. Ballistic nylon itself does not leach chemicals into contact items; the risk sits in the surface treatment and whether it degrades or flakes with use or exposure to heat/solvents.
The brand's record and disclosure
Think Tank Photo does not publicly disclose the specific chemistry of its water-repellent coating treatments or confirm PFAS-free status on this model. The brand has not issued statements on fluorochemical phase-out or adopted certifications like BLUESIGN or OEKO-TEX. No recalls, contamination incidents, or third-party test failures have been documented for this product line. The silence suggests either reliance on conventional PFAS-based water-repellent coating or an assumption that the hazard is not material for professional use.
How it compares in its category
Rolling camera bags in this segment (Pelican, Manfrotto, Peak Design) typically use similar ballistic nylon with undisclosed water-repellent coating coatings; few brands in the category publicly commit to PFAS-free treatments. This product is standard for the market, neither a leader in transparency nor an outlier. If PFAS exposure during use is a concern, specialty bags with certified PFOA-free or wax-based water resistance exist but are less common in the professional camera-gear category.
If you buy it
The bag does not contact food, skin for extended periods, or internal body surfaces in normal use, which limits direct chemical exposure pathways. Store in a dry, well-ventilated space; avoid prolonged heat exposure (e.g., leaving it in a closed hot car), which can accelerate coating degradation. Do not machine wash or use harsh solvents on the exterior, as these can strip or mobilize the water-repellent coating layer. Inspect the fabric annually for flaking or wear; if the coating visibly degrades, consider reapplication with a commercial PFAS-free water-repellent coating product or retire the bag.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% 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.