Think Tank Photo · Waterproof Camera & Lens Protection Cases
Think Tank Photo PhotoCross Sling V2 Camera Bag
Camera bag with waterproof coating; PFAS treatment not disclosed by brand.
Think Tank Photo provides no public disclosure of PFAS content or water-repellent coating treatment chemistry on this ballistic nylon sling bag. Waterproof nylon bags typically receive PFAS-containing water-repellent coating coatings.
The better-graded swap
Canon
Canon WP-DC43 Underwater Camera Housing
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
Ballistic nylon with water-repellent coating water-resistant treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Think Tank Photo PhotoCross V2 Camera Bag is made of, ingredients and materials
The PhotoCross Sling V2 is constructed from ballistic nylon, a tightly woven polyamide fabric originally developed for military applications. It carries a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to shed moisture without full waterproofing. water-repellent coating treatments are frequently applied using fluorinated compounds (PFAS), though some manufacturers have moved to fluorine-free alternatives. Think Tank Photo has not publicly disclosed which type they use on this bag, which is the primary chemical concern here.
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.
PFAS
Ballistic nylon with water-repellent coating finish typically uses legacy fluorinated water repellents unless explicitly stated otherwise. Think Tank Photo does not disclose treatment type, making PFAS presence probable. Skin contact with treated fabric poses minimal acute risk; concern is cumulative and environmental.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and leachate
As the water-repellent coating finish wears over years, treatment chemicals may leach slightly into contents or the environment during cleaning or weathering. Risk is low for camera equipment storage but relevant if bag contacts food or beverages directly.
Microplastic shedding
Prolonged abrasion (e.g., against rough camera bodies or in bag-to-bag transport) may cause microscopic fiber shedding from the nylon weave itself, though this is a concern for all synthetic textile bags and does not pose direct user harm.
What’s reassuring
Synthetic polymer off-gassing
Ballistic nylon itself does not off-gas formaldehyde or significant VOCs. No documented cases of nylon camera bags causing odor or air-quality issues. New-bag smell (if present) is minimal and disperses within weeks.
Heavy metals
No recalls or safety alerts for Think Tank Photo bags involving toxic dyes or metal contamination. Ballistic nylon is typically dyed with standard industrial colorants without known antimony or heavy metal concerns in this application.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Think Tank Photo is a professional-grade camera bag manufacturer with no documented recalls, safety controversies, or certifications related to chemical safety (OEKO-TEX, ZDHC, etc.). The brand does not publicly list material sourcing, manufacturing standards, or PFAS avoidance policies on their website or product documentation. This silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of camera bag makers but represents a gap in transparency compared to outdoor brands that explicitly state fluorine-free or PFC-free treatments.
How it compares in its category
Camera bags in this price and durability tier almost universally use ballistic nylon with water-resistant treatments; the PhotoCross is a market standard, not an outlier. Competitors (Peak Design, Domke, Lowepro) similarly do not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry. If PFAS-free coating is a priority, you would need to source specialty bags explicitly marketed as fluorine-free, which narrows the professional camera bag market significantly and often trades durability for the certification.
If you buy it
Store the bag in a cool, dry place away from direct heat; ballistic nylon itself is stable but prolonged sun exposure can degrade the water-repellent coating finish over years. Do not machine wash or dry-clean, as these can strip the water-resistant coating and potentially release residual treatment chemicals. Spot-clean with mild soap and water only. Replace or retire the bag if the water-repellent coating visibly fails (water no longer beads on the surface), which typically occurs after 3-5 years of regular use depending on climate and storage.
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
- Think Tank Photo has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Think Tank Photo PhotoCross Sling V2 Camera Bag?
- Optical glass lens with multi-coated optical surfaces
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- No PFAS statement found from the brand
- Glass lens (borosilicate or soda-lime glass)
- Optical coating degradation
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Optical glass, aluminum frame, non-coated optical surfaces
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Optical glass fragility and sharp edges
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.