PFAS Free Camping Tent: Safe Outdoor Shelter Options

If you have been cleaning up PFAS in your kitchen and bathroom, your camping gear is worth a second look. Most tents use durable water repellent (DWR) coatings to shed rain, and for decades the go-to chemistry behind those coatings has been PFAS. The same forever chemicals you have been working to get out of your cookware and food packaging? They are in the fabric your family sleeps inside on a camping trip.

Here is what we know about the risks and what you can actually do about it.

For more on cleaning up your outdoor gear, see our guide to PFAS free sleeping bags and PFAS free tents and camping gear.

Why PFAS in camping gear matters

A 2023 review in eBioMedicine pulled together evidence linking PFAS exposure to thyroid disruption, immune changes, and developmental concerns in children. That is the big-picture story. The camping-specific angle is more direct: PFAS-based DWR coatings can transfer to your skin when you handle tent fabric, and they off-gas in enclosed spaces. Think about a sealed tent on a warm morning with the doors zipped shut. Your family is breathing that air for eight hours a night, sometimes for a week straight.

Cutting out PFAS-treated gear is one of the simpler swaps you can make, and it chips away at total exposure over time.

How to spot a PFAS-free tent

Marketing language can be slippery, so here is what to look for:

• “Made of PFAS-Free Materials” on the product listing or packaging. Coleman labels many of its tents this way now.
• Fluorine-free DWR treatments. Some brands have switched to silicone-based or wax-based water repellents. The phrases “PFC-free DWR” or “fluorine-free DWR” are the ones you want to see.
• Third-party certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 or bluesign, which restrict PFAS use.
• Be skeptical of vague “eco” or “green” labels that do not mention specific chemicals. “Environmentally friendly” could mean anything.

The PFAS Free Life Database keeps an up-to-date list of verified clean products across hundreds of categories, including outdoor gear.

PFAS-free tent options worth trying

The good news is you have real choices now. Several major manufacturers have moved away from PFAS-based DWR, driven partly by EU regulation and partly by people like you asking better questions about what is in the products they buy.

1. Coleman PFAS-free tents. Coleman has several models labeled “Made of PFAS-Free Materials,” including the Skydome, Skylodge, and Evanston lines. The Coleman Skydome Camping Tent with Screened Porch, PFAS-Free Materials sets up in about five minutes and comes with a rainfly and carry bag. It is the one I recommend most often for families.
2. Canvas and cotton tents. Traditional canvas wall tents from brands like Kodiak Canvas or Springbar use heavy cotton duck treated with paraffin wax for water resistance, not fluorinated chemicals. They are heavier, but they last forever and smell like an actual campsite.
3. Silicone-coated nylon. Some ultralight tents use silicone-impregnated nylon (“silnylon”) instead of PFAS-based coatings. Worth checking with the manufacturer to confirm no fluorinated treatments were applied, since some brands layer both.

Practical ways to reduce PFAS exposure while camping

You do not need to replace all your gear at once. That would be expensive and wasteful. Focus on these habits instead:

• Replace your tent when it wears out. Your next tent can be PFAS-free. No need to toss a tent that still works.
• Ventilate. Keep doors and windows open when weather allows, especially on warm mornings when off-gassing is highest.
• Wash your hands after handling tent fabric, guy lines, and ground tarps. Simple, but it helps.
• Skip aftermarket waterproofing sprays unless the label says fluorine-free. A lot of spray-on DWR products are loaded with PFAS.
• Keep food in glass or stainless steel rather than setting it on treated fabric. Our guide to PFAS free food storage bags covers safer options for camp meals.

Swapping out your outdoor gear takes time, and that is fine. The PFAS Free Life Database is a good companion as you work through it piece by piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my camping tent has PFAS?

Short answer: unless it says otherwise, assume it does. Check the product listing or packaging for “PFAS-free,” “PFC-free DWR,” or “fluorine-free.” If all you see is “water-repellent” or “weatherproof” with no chemical details, that usually means a traditional PFAS-based coating. You can also email the manufacturer and ask directly. The PFAS Free Life Database at database.pfasfreelife.com lists verified clean products if you want to skip the guesswork.

Do all camping tents contain PFAS?

No. Coleman, Nemo, and several other brands now sell models made without PFAS. Canvas and silnylon tents often skip fluorinated coatings altogether. The market is moving in the right direction, especially as EU restrictions tighten, so there should be even more options each year.

Are PFAS-free camping tents still waterproof?

Yes. Fluorine-free DWR coatings based on silicone, wax, or other chemistry have gotten much better in recent years. They handle rain and dew just fine for typical camping. You might notice the water beads up a little less over time compared to a PFAS coating, but a fresh coat of fluorine-free spray fixes that without adding forever chemicals.

*Research reference: Toxics 2022

PFAS Free Life Database*