Quest Overlook 3 Person Tent
Skip until brand reveals waterproof treatment chemistry.
This tent fabric requires waterproofing treatment, likely water-repellent coating. Mountain Warehouse provides no PFAS disclosure, leaving treatment composition unclear.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester fabric with waterproofing treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Quest Overlook 3 Person Tent is made of, ingredients and materials
The Quest Overlook uses polyester fabric with a waterproofing treatment applied to the outer shell. Polyester itself is inert once cured, but the waterproof coating chemistry is the critical unknown here. Mountain Warehouse has not publicly disclosed whether this uses PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating), silicone, or another class of treatment. The inner lining and stitching seams are also potential sources of off-gassing or degradation over UV exposure and moisture cycling.
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.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polyester and waterproof coating off-gassing
New polyester tents commonly emit odor and trace VOCs during first days of use. The undisclosed waterproof treatment adds uncertainty; PFAS-based water-repellent coating would off-gas differently than silicone or wax alternatives. Off-gassing typically diminishes after initial airing but may recur in warm, enclosed storage.
Coating degradation and performance loss over time
Mold and bacterial growth from moisture retention
Polyester does not naturally resist mold. If stored damp or in humid conditions, the fabric and seams can harbor mold spores and bacteria. This is a maintenance issue, not a material defect, but the waterproof coating's effectiveness directly determines how much moisture the fabric absorbs.
Heat sensitivity and polyester melting risk
Polyester fabric and coatings are sensitive to heat above 65-70 degrees Celsius. Placing the tent near a stove, heater, or in direct intense sunlight for prolonged periods can cause permanent damage, coating delamination, and release of particles. Not a typical hazard for outdoor camping, but relevant for storage or emergency sheltering near heat sources.
What’s reassuring
Seam-sealing compound toxicity (if present)
Some tent seam sealers contain solvents or adhesives that off-gas. Mountain Warehouse does not publicly disclose seam-sealing chemistry for this product. Standard polyurethane-based seam sealers are low-toxicity once cured, but cure time and solvent exposure during application is relevant for occupants during first use.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Mountain Warehouse has maintained silence on waterproof treatment chemistry across its tent line, including this model. No published sustainability reports, PFAS commitments, or third-party certifications (like bluesign or GOTS) are on record for this brand's camping products. This opacity is a red flag in an industry where major competitors (REI, MSR, some Arc'teryx lines) now disclose or eliminate PFAS-based coatings. Without transparency, you cannot verify safety claims.
How it compares in its category
Budget three-person tents typically use polyester with either PFAS-based water-repellent coating (cheaper, more durable) or alternatives not linked to PFAS (more expensive, often silicone or wax-based). The Overlook is positioned at the lower end of the market, which historically correlates with PFAS use. Comparable budget brands (Coleman, Ozark Trail) rarely disclose either; premium brands increasingly advertise PFAS-free coatings as a selling point, making Mountain Warehouse's silence notable.
If you buy it
Air out the tent fully in sunlight and wind for 24-48 hours before first use to reduce off-gassing of volatile compounds from the polyester and coating. Avoid storing in damp conditions, as moisture promotes mold and accelerates fabric degradation. Do not heat-treat or place near direct flame; polyester will melt above 65-70 degrees Celsius. Replace if seams leak, fabric develops holes, or waterproof coating visibly peels; these indicate coating failure and loss of water protection.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Quest 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.