The North Face · Camping Tents & Tarps
The North Face Wawona 8 Person Tent
High uncertainty; tent uses water-repellent coating, likely PFAS-based, with no brand disclosure.
The Wawona 8 relies on water-repellent coating fabric coatings to shed rain. The North Face does not disclose whether its water-repellent coating uses PFAS-based or PFAS-free chemistry.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) treatment
Lab data
No public lab test
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What The North Face Wawona 8 Person Tent is made of, ingredients and materials
The Wawona 8 uses polyester fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. water-repellent coating coatings on outdoor textiles have historically been PFAS-based (perfluorocarbon chemistry), though some manufacturers have shifted to water-repellent coating treatments not formulated with PFAS. The North Face has not publicly confirmed which type this tent uses. Polyester itself is stable and does not shed significant volatile compounds under normal camping conditions, but the water-repellent coating treatment is the primary chemical concern.
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
The North Face has not disclosed whether the Wawona 8's water-repellent coating is PFAS-based or PFAS-free. Given the tent's age/market position, a legacy PFAS formulation is plausible but not confirmed. Skin contact and leaching into soil/water during use are low-probability pathways for camping gear.
Source, ATSDR ↗Mold and mildew growth if stored wet
Polyester tents that are packed or stored while damp can develop mold colonies, which release spores and volatile organic compounds. This is a well-known maintenance issue for all tent types and is preventable through proper drying and storage, not a chemical hazard in the material itself.
What’s reassuring
Polyester degradation and microfiber shedding
Polyester tents can shed microfibers when abraded or washed, particularly if water-repellent coating treatments degrade. This is documented in academic literature for synthetic textiles but is not a reported concern specific to The North Face Wawona 8. Shed fibers would remain in the immediate campsite or washing water, not enter user tissue.
Flame retardants
No public records indicate that the Wawona 8 is treated with added flame retardants. Standard polyester is combustible but is not chemically treated for fire resistance on this product line, based on available specifications.
Source, EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Modern polyester water-repellent coating and tent fabrics rarely use formaldehyde-releasing resins; these are more common in cotton-blend or permanent-press apparel. The Wawona 8 shows no published evidence of formaldehyde treatment, and polyester itself does not require it.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The North Face has not published a comprehensive PFAS phase-out commitment or detailed material disclosures for tent lines as of available public records. The brand is owned by VF Corporation, which committed to eliminating certain PFAS by 2025 but has not specified whether this applies to all outdoor apparel and gear or only footwear and some apparel. The absence of clear communication about the Wawona 8's water-repellent coating chemistry is a transparency shortfall, not proof of harm.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream 8-person dome or cabin tents from established brands (Coleman, REI Co-op, Big Agnes) use similar polyester with water-repellent coating coatings; the Wawona 8 is not an outlier. Some smaller or premium brands (e.g.certain ultralight manufacturers offer water-repellent coating alternatives not formulated with PFAS, but they are less common at this price and capacity point. The Wawona 8 is competitively standard for its class; the safety profile is typical, not superior or inferior.
If you buy it
Store the tent dry and well-ventilated indoors; do not leave it damp for extended periods, which can encourage mold growth and potential mildew odors (not a chemical hazard, but a maintenance issue). Avoid high heat sources near the fabric; polyester can soften above 80-90°C but camping use does not normally reach that. If water-repellent coating repellency degrades after 3-5 years, consider professional recoating or replacement rather than home treatments. Do not use harsh solvents for cleaning; rinse with cool water and mild soap.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- The North Face has made a specific claim
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.