Hammock Gear · Camping Tents & Tarps
Incubator Underquilt
Skip until brand discloses coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
Hammock Gear makes quality hammock gear but provides no public disclosure on PFAS in underquilt waterproof treatments. Nylon ripstop with water-repellent coating carries typical PFAS risk without transparency.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
nylon ripstop with unspecified waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Incubator Underquilt is made of, ingredients and materials
The Incubator Underquilt uses nylon ripstop fabric with an unspecified waterproof coating. Nylon ripstop itself is a durable synthetic polymer, but the waterproof finish applied to it is the critical unknown here. Waterproof coatings on textiles are almost universally either PFAS-based (water-repellent coating, water-repellent coating) or, less commonly, wax or polyurethane. Hammock Gear has not disclosed which, meaning the PFAS risk cannot be ruled out and is likely present.
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
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.
PFAS
Nylon ripstop waterproof coatings are typically fluorochemical (PFAS-based). Hammock Gear has not disclosed the specific chemistry. PFAS can leach from coatings during wear and laundering, especially with friction and moisture.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Waterproof coatings on nylon can degrade with age and washing, potentially shedding microparticles. An unspecified coating makes it impossible to predict durability or the chemistry of shed particles.
Skin sensitization from coating residues
Direct skin contact during sleep means any residual coating solvents or uncrosslinked oligomers could cause irritation. Undisclosed coating chemistry prevents assessment of this risk.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No recalls or documented issues with formaldehyde-containing finishes on Hammock Gear products are on public record. Standard nylon and ripstop can be treated with formaldehyde resins for shape retention, but this is not confirmed for this underquilt.
Source, ATSDR ↗Azo dyes in nylon fabric
No public reports of restricted azo dyes in Hammock Gear textiles. Nylon ripstop dyed for outdoor use typically uses safer dye classes, but lack of third-party testing means this cannot be verified.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Hammock Gear has maintained silence on the chemical composition of its waterproof coatings across product lines. No third-party certifications (Oeko-Tex, GOTS, or PFAS-free claims) are on record for this underquilt. This silence is especially problematic for a product worn against or directly under clothing in prolonged contact during sleep. Competitors in the hammock/outdoor textile space (e.g., some cottage makers) have begun disclosing PFAS-free or low-PFAS alternatives; Hammock Gear has not.
How it compares in its category
Underquilts are typically made from nylon or polyester ripstop with waterproof coatings. Most major outdoor gear brands (including some at similar price points) now offer transparency on water-repellent coating chemistry or have switched to PFAS-free options (silicone, wax, or PU-based). Hammock Gear's lack of disclosure puts it below the transparency standard now common in the premium hammock-camping segment. This is not a budget-tier brand, so the absence of documentation is a choice, not a resource constraint.
If you buy it
Do not purchase until Hammock Gear discloses coating chemistry. If you own one, avoid machine washing or high-heat drying, as these can mobilize or degrade coatings. Store in a cool, dry place and inspect for peeling or coating failure. Hand washing in cool water with mild soap is safer than hot water. Given the skin-contact nature of underquilts, the PFAS uncertainty alone justifies finding an alternative with published material safety data.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Hammock Gear has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More camping tents & tarps 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.