KingCamp · Camping Tents & Tarps
KingCamp Monza 3 Light Waterproof Tent
Skip or contact the brand for coating chemistry; waterproof tents commonly use PFAS-based water-repellent coating.
KingCamp tents use polyester with water-repellent coating coatings, but the brand doesn't disclose their waterproof treatment chemistry publicly. PFAS compounds are standard in outdoor tent manufacturing.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester tent fabric with waterproof coating (type unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What KingCamp Monza 3 Light Waterproof Tent is made of, ingredients and materials
The Monza 3 uses polyester fabric with an unspecified waterproof coating. Polyester itself is chemically stable and does not leach BPA, phthalates, or heavy metals under normal camping conditions. The waterproof durability resin (water-repellent coating) coating is the material of concern, most tent manufacturers use fluorinated compounds (PFAS-based) to repel water, though some have shifted to fluorine-free alternatives. Sierra does not publicly specify which type is used on this model, making direct assessment impossible.
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
Unspecified waterproof treatment on polyester. Industry standard for budget tents is fluorinated water-repellent coating (PFAS-based), though exact chemistry unknown. Sierra's silence on this is atypical for transparent brands.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Over time, polyester-coated fabrics can flake or shed the water-repellent coating layer, especially with UV exposure, folding stress, or washing. Shed particles are small and inhalation risk is low during normal use; ingestion or environmental contamination is the primary concern.
Off-gassing (volatile organic compounds from coating)
New tent fabrics commonly release solvent odors during initial setup and storage. Polyester + waterproof resin coatings may off-gas low levels of volatile compounds; risk is temporary and minimized by airing the tent before use.
Bacterial or mold growth if improperly stored
Not a material hazard but a use hazard, damp tents stored without ventilation can harbor mold and bacteria. This is a care issue, not a manufacturing flaw, but relevant to health safety.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or public reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Sierra tent fabrics. Polyester dyes are not typically a contamination vector in outdoor fabric unless treated with antimony-based flame retardants (which are not standard for tents).
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Sierra (KingCamp's parent/distribution brand) has not published a public materials transparency statement or waterproof coating disclosure policy. No third-party certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, Bluesign) are listed for this product. The brand has not responded to industry calls for PFAS phaseout in outdoor gear, which is increasingly standard among premium competitors. This silence is consistent with smaller outdoor brands that have not prioritized chemical transparency.
How it compares in its category
Budget three-season tents typically use PFAS-based water-repellent coating coatings as standard; this product's price point suggests conventional treatment. Mid-range and premium brands (e.g., MSR, Big Agnes, REI Co-op) increasingly disclose or use PFAS-free alternatives like wax or silicone-based coatings. If waterproofing performance is your priority over chemical exposure, this tent will likely perform well; if chemical minimization matters, competing products with transparent fluorine-free coatings are available at similar price points.
If you buy it
Store the tent dry and well-ventilated indoors to minimize off-gassing during setup. Do not machine wash or treat with additional waterproofing sprays unless the label explicitly permits it, as this can degrade the existing coating and create additional exposure pathways. Inspect seams and fabric annually for delamination or cracking; once the coating fails significantly, water ingress accelerates deterioration. If you plan to keep the tent for more than 5-7 years, contact Sierra directly to confirm the water-repellent coating type and whether it contains PFAS compounds.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- KingCamp 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.