Kelty Far Out 3 Backpacking Tent
Skip or inquire directly, Kelty doesn't reveal water-repellent coating chemistry, a common PFAS source in tents.
Polyester with undisclosed water-repellent treatment standard for three-season backpacking. Kelty doesn't publicly disclose whether its water-repellent coating contains PFAS or alternatives without third-party testing.
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Material
polyester 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. Polyester tent coatings commonly used PFOA/PFOS historically; without confirmation of fluorine-free alternatives, exposure risk during manufacturing, use (water runoff), and laundering cannot be ruled out.
Source, ATSDR ↗Mold and bacterial growth on fabric
Polyester tents stored damp or in humid conditions develop mildew that can cause respiratory irritation and visible discoloration. This is a use and maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect, but is common in backpacking tents with inadequate drying between trips.
Degradation of water-repellent coating over time
All water-repellent coating coatings degrade with use, UV exposure, and washing. As the coating wears, water penetration increases and any residual PFAS or other water-repellent chemicals may be mobilized into soil or groundwater during cleanup or breakdown.
Polyester microplastic shedding under stress
Polyester fabric can shed microfibers when washed or damaged. While tent use does not involve laundering as frequently as textiles, abrasion and weathering may gradually release plastic particles into the environment, though the public health significance remains unclear.
What’s reassuring
Seam sealant composition
Kelty does not publicly disclose the chemistry of seam tape or sealants used on the Far Out 3. Some seam sealants contain volatile solvents or phenolic compounds, though no recalls or safety warnings have been issued for Kelty tents on this basis.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Far Out 3 uses polyester fabric as its primary shell and floor material, treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed water. Polyester itself is chemically stable and does not leach in normal use; however, water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFOA or PFOS fluorochemicals, which persist in the environment and body. Kelty does not publicly specify whether their water-repellent coating is fluorine-based or fluorine-free, making the contamination risk opaque.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kelty is a subsidiary of Johnson Outdoor Group and does not maintain a publicly visible materials disclosure policy or PFAS commitment. The brand has not announced a transition to PFAS-free water-repellent coating, nor does it publish testing data or certifications for chemical content. This silence is typical across mid-market tent brands but leaves consumers without recourse to verify safety claims. Direct inquiry to Kelty customer service may yield ingredient transparency, though responses are inconsistent across brands.
How it compares in its category
Most three-season backpacking tents at this price point (Kelty Far Out 3 is budget to mid-range) use polyester with undisclosed water-repellent coating. Premium brands like Black Diamond and some REI Co-op models increasingly specify fluorine-free water-repellent coating or publish PFAS testing; ultralight tent makers often use silnylon (polyester + silicone) which bypasses PFAS water-repellent coating entirely but costs more. Kelty's lack of transparency is a weakness relative to disclosing competitors, not an outlier within the broad tent market.
If you buy it
Polyester tents do not off-gas volatile organic compounds the way some coated fabrics do; normal camping use poses no acute inhalation risk. Avoid machine washing or prolonged soaking, which can degrade the water-repellent coating and potentially mobilize any PFAS present. Store dry and unfolded when not in use to prevent mildew and mold growth, which are more likely hazards than material leaching. Replace the tent if seams leak persistently or fabric tears, as repair is rarely cost-effective and a compromised waterproof layer reduces protective function.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% 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.