Blacktail 2 Backpacking Tent vs Upgraded Cloud up 2 Person Hiking Tent Camping Backpacking Tent: which is safer?

Big Agnes Blacktail 2 Backpacking Tent is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

Big Agnes Blacktail 2 Backpacking Tent

Big Agnes

Blacktail 2 Backpacking Tent

PFAS grade

Bad 20/100

Overall grade

Bad 2/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating (type unspecified)

Confidence

55%

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

Naturehike Upgraded Cloud up 2 Person Hiking Tent Camping Backpacking Tent

Naturehike

Upgraded Cloud up 2 Person Hiking Tent Camping Backpacking Tent

PFAS grade

Bad 20/100

Overall grade

Bad 0/100

Verdict

Skip

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Polyester fabric with unspecified waterproof/water-resistant coating

Confidence

35%

PossiblePFAS in water-repellent coating (reported in category, status unknown for this model)

LikelyVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) from fabric finishes and adhesives

ReportedCoating degradation and microplastic shedding over time

Where these two actually differ

  • 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 Naturehike.
  • We flag PFAS in DWR coating (reported in category, status unknown for this model), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from fabric finishes and adhesives, Coating degradation and microplastic shedding over time and Mold and bacterial growth if stored wet or in humid conditions on the Naturehike and not on the Big Agnes.
  • The Big Agnes is Nylon ripstop with DWR coating (type unspecified) where the Naturehike is Polyester fabric with unspecified waterproof/water-resistant coating, 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