Tarptent · Camping Tents & Tarps
TARPTENT StratoSpire 2 Solid
Skip until Tarptent discloses coating chemistry or provides PFAS testing.
This lightweight tent has ripstop nylon with an undisclosed waterproof coating. The brand provides no testing data or materials statement.
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Material
Ripstop nylon with proprietary waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What TARPTENT StratoSpire 2 Solid is made of, ingredients and materials
The StratoSpire 2 Solid uses ripstop nylon as its primary fabric layer, a lightweight synthetic polymer chosen for tear resistance and durability. The critical component is Tarptent's proprietary waterproof coating applied to the nylon, which is not publicly detailed. Ripstop nylon itself is chemically stable and does not leach or off-gas at normal outdoor temperatures. The unknown coating chemistry is the sole material concern here.
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.
Proprietary waterproof coating (unidentified)
The coating is not chemically disclosed by Tarptent. It may contain PFAS or other Teflon-family coating-based durable water repellents, but no test results or material safety data sheets are publicly available. This is an information gap, not a confirmed hazard.
Microplastic shedding under UV exposure
Any nylon ripstop tent will gradually shed microscopic fibers when exposed to sunlight, wind, and friction over years of use. This is inherent to the material and not specific to Tarptent, though stored or rarely used tents shed less than heavily deployed ones.
What’s reassuring
VOC off-gassing from coating or adhesives
No reports of odor complaints, respiratory irritation, or VOC emissions from this tent model exist on record. New nylon tents may have a faint chemical smell on opening that typically dissipates after airing; this is not a safety concern.
Flame retardants
Tarptent does not advertise flame-retardant treatment on the StratoSpire 2 Solid. Ripstop nylon itself is inherently not flammable in typical camping use, and no brominated or phosphate flame retardants are known to be applied.
Source, EPA ↗Heavy metals
Standard ripstop nylon and polyester tape used in tents do not accumulate heavy metals in published testing. Tarptent's seams use conventional polyester thread and heat-sealed tape, not decorated or colored elements prone to metal-laden dyes.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Tarptent is a small, established US-based ultralight tent maker with a reputation for functional design but minimal public transparency on materials chemistry. The company does not publish coating formulations, PFAS status, or third-party material certifications on its website or product documentation. No recalls or safety incidents involving this model are on record. Tarptent has not responded to industry pressure regarding PFAS disclosure in the way some larger outdoor brands have begun to do.
How it compares in its category
Most ultralight tent makers (Big Agnes, Zpacks, MSR, Nemo) similarly do not disclose full coating chemistry; this is standard across the category rather than a Tarptent-specific gap. Some brands have begun voluntary PFAS elimination or testing transparency, but many still rely on non-public supplier data. Tarptent's silence is consistent with industry practice but not leading. The StratoSpire 2's core materials (nylon ripstop) are conventional and not inherently riskier than competing models.
If you buy it
Use the tent outdoors only; do not store it damp indoors where mold and odors may develop. Allow full air drying after each trip before packing. Rinse lightly with fresh water if exposed to saltwater or heavy soil, and allow to dry flat or hanging. Inspect seams and the fabric surface annually for tears, degradation, or UV wear; the ripstop nylon will maintain integrity for 5-10 years of regular use under normal conditions. If you are PFAS-sensitive, contact Tarptent directly requesting coating material safety data before committing to purchase.
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
- Tarptent 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.