Cabela's · Camping Tents & Tarps
Cabela's Ultimate Alaknak 2.0
Skip until Cabela's discloses water-repellent coating chemistry.
This nylon tent includes a waterproof coating typical of outdoor shelters. Cabela's remains silent on whether the treatment contains PFAS.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Nylon taffeta with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish
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
Nylon taffeta tents rely on water-repellent coating coatings whose chemistry is undisclosed by Cabela's. Legacy brands commonly use long-chain PFAS; composition of this specific product cannot be confirmed without manufacturer data.
Source, ATSDR ↗Volatilization of coating additives (heat/sun exposure)
Water-repellent coating finishes may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) if tent is stored in direct heat or high humidity. Risk is low with proper storage but cannot be entirely ruled out without knowing the additive package.
What’s reassuring
Microplastics
No documented instances of problematic microfiber shedding from intact Alaknak tents. Concern would arise only if fabric abrades significantly during use or after UV damage, neither of which is reported for this model.
Source, EPA ↗Flame retardants
No evidence that Cabela's applies flame retardant resins to the Alaknak 2.0 base nylon; nylon itself has moderate inherent flame resistance. Neither regulatory requirement nor known additives suggest halogenated flame retardants are present.
Source, EPA ↗Heavy metals
Nylon taffeta used in mainstream tents is not typically dyed with pigments containing lead or cadmium. No recall or safety data associates the Alaknak 2.0 with metal contamination.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Alaknak 2.0 uses nylon taffeta, a lightweight synthetic polymer that is inherently durable and water-resistant when untreated. The 'water-repellent coating' (water-repellent coating) finish applied to nylon fabrics is where chemical risk concentrates. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on long-chain PFAS (perfluorinated compounds) to achieve water-shedding properties, though the industry has partially shifted toward shorter-chain alternatives or non-fluorinated options. Cabela's does not publicly disclose which water-repellent coating chemistry is used on the Alaknak 2.0, making the fluorochemical profile unknowable from available sources.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cabela's (owned by Bass Pro Shops) has not published transparency statements or certifications regarding PFAS use in tent products or other outdoor gear. The brand maintains a primarily silent stance on water-repellent coating chemistry disclosure, which is common among legacy outdoor retailers but increasingly questioned by consumer advocates. No specific product recalls or safety incidents tied to this model are documented in public databases. The lack of proactive disclosure suggests the company has not committed to PFAS phase-out or third-party verification.
How it compares in its category
Most three-season camping tents in this price and performance tier use nylon with water-repellent coating finishes; the Alaknak 2.0 is typical, not exceptional. Competitors like REI Co-op tents and some Eureka models have begun disclosing PFAS-free or PFOA-free water-repellent coating systems, setting a transparency standard that Cabela's has not matched. Ultralight alternatives using silnylon (nylon with silicone coating) eliminate the water-repellent coating chemistry question entirely but cost more and require different care. Canvas and cotton tents avoid synthetic water-repellent coating entirely but weigh significantly more.
If you buy it
Store the tent dry and well-ventilated; off-gassing of water-repellent coating coatings is minimal after factory treatment but can increase with heat, so avoid direct sun storage for extended periods. Do not machine-wash or tumble-dry, as these accelerate coating breakdown and potential leachate release. If seams separate or the fabric develops worn spots, replacement becomes necessary because repair patches may not restore waterproofing. Reapplication of consumer-grade water-repellent coating sprays introduces additional unknowns; either accept the original coating or upgrade to a model with a lower concern water-repellent coating finish.
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
- Cabela's 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.