Watershed · Waterproof Bags & Luggage
Watershed Colorado Dry Duffel Colorado / CLEAR
Durable waterproof bag, but PFAS treatment status undisclosed.
Watershed dry bags use PVC-coated nylon with water-resistant treatment. The brand doesn't disclose whether the water-repellent coating finish contains PFAS, typical for this category.
The better-graded swap
Salomon
Salomon Extended Totebag
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
PVC-coated nylon with water-repellent coating waterproof treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Watershed Colorado Dry Colorado / CLEAR is made of, ingredients and materials
This duffel uses PVC-coated nylon as its core material, with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the exterior. PVC is a rigid plastic that becomes a flexible film when plasticized; the nylon substrate adds tensile strength and abrasion resistance. The water-repellent coating is where PFAS concern enters, as fluorochemical water repellents are industry standard but Watershed has not publicly disclosed whether theirs is PFAS-based or fluorine-free. PVC itself can leach plasticizers (typically phthalates or similar compounds) under stress or heat, though risk is low for dry-storage use.
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.
Phthalates
PVC-coated fabrics can leach plasticizers under heat, stress, or prolonged contact with certain substances. Risk is low for ambient dry storage but increases if the bag is used to carry heated items or exposed to prolonged direct sunlight. No specific testing data for this product is publicly available.
Source, ATSDR ↗water-repellent coating degradation and unknown composition
Fluorochemical water-repellent coating finishes degrade with washing and wear, potentially releasing constituent compounds into water or the user's environment. Watershed's failure to specify whether their water-repellent coating is PFAS-based means the specific hazard cannot be quantified, though PFAS-containing water-repellent coating is common in the industry.
PVC off-gassing (VOCs)
New PVC products can emit volatile organic compounds, particularly in warm environments or enclosed spaces. This is typically most noticeable in the first few days to weeks after manufacture. Airing the bag outdoors before first use can reduce this.
Seam integrity failure over time
PVC-coated nylon duffels rely on taped or sealed seams that can delaminate with age, UV exposure, or repeated stress. Once coatings crack, the underlying nylon can absorb water and the PVC fragments may contact stored contents.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or reports of heavy metal issues in Watershed duffels are on record. Standard outdoor fabric dyeing typically does not introduce lead or cadmium at hazardous levels, though testing data for this specific product is not publicly available.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Watershed is a smaller outdoor gear brand without major public certifications (Bluesign, GOTS, or similar) listed on their marketing materials. The company has not issued a public statement on PFAS use in their waterproof treatments, which is a notable gap compared to brands like Patagonia or Arc'teryx that have begun disclosing or eliminating PFAS. No major safety recalls or hazard reports are on record for Watershed duffels. Their silence on this issue is the primary transparency concern rather than evidence of use.
How it compares in its category
Waterproof duffels typically use either PVC-coated nylon (Watershed's choice), TPU-laminated fabrics, or waxed canvas. PVC is lower cost and highly durable but carries the PFAS uncertainty; TPU alternatives are more expensive but may use fluorine-free water-repellent coating. Waxed canvas avoids both but is heavier and less waterproof. Watershed's price point and material choice are standard for mid-range dry bags, but the lack of PFAS transparency puts it behind competitors who have committed to disclosure.
If you buy it
Store the bag in cool, dry conditions away from direct heat or sunlight to minimize any potential PVC plasticizer release. Do not use it to carry hot food or liquids for extended periods. Inspect seams and coatings annually; if cracks or peeling appear, discontinue use as coating breakdown may increase leaching. Before purchase, consider contacting Watershed directly to ask whether their water-repellent coating treatment contains PFAS, as this single answer could shift the safety grade upward or downward.
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
- Watershed has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Watershed Colorado Dry Duffel Colorado / CLEAR?
- Cordura nylon fabric
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
- Polyester webbing and nylon
- Azo dyes in polyester webbing
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Polypropylene shell, polyurethane foam, stainless steel hardware
- Polyurethane foam degradation and off-gassing
More waterproof bags & luggage 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.