Sierra Designs · Camping Tents & Tarps
Sierra Designs Clearwing 3-Person Tent
Wait for Sierra Designs to share their water-repellent coating formula, as waterproof tents commonly use PFAS.
Sierra Designs won't say what water-repellent coating treatment is applied to the Clearwing 3's polyester fabric. Waterproof outdoor gear routinely uses PFAS-based fluorochemical coatings for durability, and brand silence here is concerning. Get their technical spec sheet or certification before buying if PFAS matters.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Sierra Designs Clearwing 3-Person Tent is made of, ingredients and materials
The Clearwing 3 uses polyester fabric (likely 75D or similar denier) with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings traditionally rely on fluorochemical compounds to repel water; Sierra Designs has not publicly disclosed whether their formulation contains PFAS or newer alternatives like silicone or wax-based coatings. Polyester itself is inert when not treated, but the finish is the potential concern for chemical leaching into soil or water during use and washing.
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
Polyester tent fabrics typically receive fluorochemical water-repellent coating treatment. Sierra Designs has not disclosed their specific formulation, so PFAS presence is unconfirmed but common in this product class. Exposure risk is low during normal use but higher if fabric is washed frequently or stored in water.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and leaching
Water-repellent coating coatings wear with UV exposure, flexing, and abrasion. As the finish breaks down, microfibers and any residual treatment chemicals may shed into surrounding soil or water, particularly at campsite setup and teardown.
Mold and bacterial growth if stored wet
Polyester does not inherently support mold, but trapped moisture in fabric folds or seams creates conditions for microbial growth, particularly in humid climates. This is a use and storage issue, not a manufacturing hazard.
What’s reassuring
VOC off-gassing from polyester and finish
New polyester tents may emit minor VOCs during initial storage and setup. This is minimal for this product class and typically dissipates within days of airing; no specific Sierra Designs reports exist.
Fabric flammability
Polyester has moderate flame spread but is not treated with flame retardants in standard tents. Sierra Designs does not market this as fire-resistant; no reported incidents specific to this model.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Sierra Designs has not issued public statements about PFAS avoidance or water-repellent coating chemistry transparency as of available records. The brand is owned by Gregory Mountain Products (part of the Dorel Sports portfolio) and competes in the mainstream outdoor market without known certifications for PFAS-free materials or manufacturing. This silence on a known industry issue is a transparency gap, not proof of PFAS use, but it prevents informed purchasing.
How it compares in its category
Most mass-market polyester tents (Coleman, Ozark Trail, REI-branded models) use similar water-repellent coating treatments and rarely disclose chemistry. Premium brands like Big Agnes and Nemo have begun offering PFAS-free or clearly labeled water treatments, making them more transparent alternatives at higher price points. The Clearwing sits in the mid-range segment where disclosure is least common, making comparison difficult without direct manufacturer communication.
If you buy it
Request water-repellent coating specifics from Sierra Designs customer service before purchase. Store dry and avoid washing with harsh detergents, which may degrade the coating and increase any leaching risk. Inspect seams and fabric annually for wear; degraded coatings can lose water repellency and may require treatment reapplication. Do not use fabric treatments or reproof products unless you confirm they are PFAS-free, as recoating may reintroduce fluorochemicals.
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
- Sierra Designs 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.