Kelty Ashcroft 3 Person Tent
Higher PFAS risk from waterproof treatment; Kelty does not reveal water-repellent coating chemistry.
Polyester with undisclosed water-repellent finish typical of outdoor shelters. Kelty makes no public statement about PFAS in their water-repellent coating coatings, and many outdoor manufacturers still use PFAS-based Teflon-family coating.
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Material
polyester fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
PFAS
Kelty does not disclose water-repellent coating chemistry; standard industry practice through 2024 still relies heavily on fluorocarbon compounds. No public commitment to PFAS-free alternatives documented for this brand or product line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polyester fiber volatilization and off-gassing
Polyester itself is stable, but residual monomers and spin-finishes applied during manufacturing can volatilize slightly in warm, humid, or enclosed conditions (car storage, sealed bags). This is minor with the Ashcroft 3 if stored properly and aired out.
water-repellent coating degradation over time
Fluorocarbon-based water-repellent coating treatments degrade with UV exposure, washing, and heat, and reapplication products often contain the same PFAS chemistry. Kelty does not document the durability specification or replacement guidance for this tent.
Mold and microbial growth if stored damp
If the Ashcroft 3 is stored wet or in high humidity, polyester fabric provides no inherent mold resistance and water-repellent coating coatings do not prevent interior moisture trapping. Mold is a biological hazard, not chemical, but common with improper tent care.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Polyester camping tents are typically dyed with synthetic azo dyes that meet basic US import standards. No recalls or public testing failures for Kelty tents have been documented for lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals, though Kelty does not independently certify this.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Ashcroft 3 uses 75D polyester ripstop fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish to shed rain. The specific water-repellent coating chemistry is not disclosed by Kelty, which is the primary concern because most commercial tent water-repellent coating treatments still rely on fluorocarbon compounds (PFAS) despite industry movement toward alternatives. The polyester base itself is stable and does not off-gas formaldehyde under normal camping conditions, but the coatings applied during manufacturing are where chemical risk concentrates.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kelty does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of its water-repellent coating treatments or whether it has transitioned to PFAS-free water repellent methods. The company has not published independent testing results, third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or Bluesign), or a commitment to eliminate PFAS from its tent lines. This silence is notable because several competitors (including some mid-range brands) have begun offering PFAS-free tent options or transparency statements, making Kelty's lack of disclosure a competitive red flag.
How it compares in its category
Among budget to mid-range three-person tents, the Ashcroft 3 is typical in its use of polyester with water-repellent coating but below average in transparency. Brands like Big Agnes and some offerings from REI Co-op have begun labeling PFAS-free alternatives or committing to phase-outs, while Kelty remains silent. For consumers prioritizing PFAS avoidance, this tent is not a differentiator; for those prioritizing durability and cost-effectiveness without chemical disclosure concerns, it is a middle-ground option.
If you buy it
Store the tent dry and in shade when not in use to minimize water-repellent coating degradation and off-gassing into living spaces; do not store it in a sealed bag long-term. Wash it with water and mild soap only; avoid solvent-based cleaners or high heat that could mobilize coating chemicals. If the tent develops water staining or pooling after 3-5 seasons, the water-repellent coating has degraded naturally and reapplication products exist, though this introduces a new chemical touch point. Keep the tent well ventilated during and after setup, especially in still air or enclosed spaces, to allow any residual volatiles to disperse.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Kelty has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.