Nemo Equipment · Camping Tents & Tarps
Tent Nemo Aurora Footprint
Avoid until Nemo discloses its water-repellent coating treatment chemistry or commits to PFAS-free.
Nylon footprint with a water-repellent coating, which historically rely on PFAS. Nemo does not disclose whether their Aurora uses legacy fluorinated water-repellent coating or newer alternatives.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon footprint with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What Tent Nemo Aurora Footprint is made of, ingredients and materials
The Aurora Footprint is nylon fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating applied to the underside. water-repellent coating coatings are historically the primary source of PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") in outdoor textiles, though modern formulations vary widely. Nemo has not publicly disclosed whether this footprint uses legacy PFAS-based water-repellent coating or newer fluorine-free alternatives. Nylon itself is stable and poses no known leaching or off-gassing risk under normal use.
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
Standard nylon footprints commonly use PFAS-based water-repellent coating; Nemo's specific formulation is undisclosed, making PFAS presence unconfirmed but plausible.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
Water-repellent coating coatings degrade over time with washing and use; shedding particles are not documented as a health concern in field conditions, but prolonged contact with degraded coating residues is not well characterized.
Bacterial or mold growth if wet-stored
If footprint is packed damp or stored in humid conditions, nylon can support mold growth; this is a use/storage issue, not a manufacturing hazard, but can pose respiratory concern if moldy fabric is handled indoors.
What’s reassuring
Chemical off-gassing from new material
Nylon footprints do not typically off-gas formaldehyde or other volatile organics; any odor on opening is normal residual processing and poses no established health risk.
Heavy metals
Nemo footprints are typically neutral-colored nylon without reported heavy metal contamination in pigments; no recalls or safety alerts on record for this product.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Nemo Equipment has not issued a public PFAS policy or commitment to fluorine-free materials as of available records. The company does not list water-repellent coating chemistry on product pages or material safety documentation. This silence is notable given industry peers (e.g., Patagonia, some REI-brand tents) have moved toward PFAS-free water-repellent coating or published supplier standards. Without direct inquiry, you cannot confirm whether this footprint contains PFAS or next-generation alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Tent footprints across brands typically use nylon with water-repellent coating; the Aurora is standard in construction and durability. Competitors like Big Agnes, MSR, and REI Co-op footprints face the same PFAS uncertainty unless they disclose otherwise. Nemo's footprint is well-regarded for tear resistance and waterproofing performance, but transparency on chemistry is lagging relative to market leaders responding to consumer and environmental concern.
If you buy it
Contact Nemo directly and request specific water-repellent coating treatment information before purchase if PFAS exposure is a concern for you. Once in use, the footprint requires no special precautions; normal care (rinse dirt, air dry, avoid heat sources) will not mobilize coatings. Replace when the underside shows visible wear or water beads less effectively, typically after 3-5 years of season use. Store in a cool, dry place to extend water-repellent coating lifespan and minimize any potential degradation.
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
- Nemo Equipment 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.