Taurus Outfitter Tent vs Blacktail 2 Backpacking Tent: which is safer?
ALPS Mountaineering Taurus Outfitter Tent is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Our pick
ALPS Mountaineering
Taurus Outfitter Tent
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
Possiblewater-repellent coating durability and shedding
PossibleVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing
PossibleMicroplastic shedding from fabric wear
Big Agnes
Blacktail 2 Backpacking Tent
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFluorinated water-repellent coating residues (PFOA/PFCs in historical treatments)
PossibleMold and bacterial growth in stored damp fabric
ReportedHeat sensitivity of water-repellent coating-coated nylon near fire or stove
Where these two actually differ
- We flag DWR coating durability and shedding, Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing and Microplastic shedding from fabric wear on the ALPS Mountaineering and not on the Big Agnes.
- We flag Fluorinated DWR coating residues (PFOA/PFCs in historical treatments), Mold and bacterial growth in stored damp fabric and Heat sensitivity of DWR-coated nylon near fire or stove on the Big Agnes and not on the ALPS Mountaineering.
- The ALPS Mountaineering is polyester fabric with DWR waterproof treatment (type unspecified) where the Big Agnes is Nylon ripstop with DWR coating (type unspecified), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More camping tents & tarps: see the full ranking