Trespass · Camping Tents & Tarps
Trespass Caterthun Tent
Tent uses water-repellent coating; composition unspecified. Avoid if PFAS-concerned.
This budget tent has polyester with water-repellent treatment. Trespass discloses no PFAS information or coating chemistry, raising uncertainty about fluorinated water-repellent coating use.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Polyester tent fabric with unspecified water-repellent finish
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Trespass Caterthun Tent is made of, ingredients and materials
The Caterthun uses polyester fabric, a synthetic polymer that is inherently stable and does not leach chemicals under normal camping conditions. The critical unknown is the water-repellent (water-repellent coating) finish applied to the polyester. water-repellent coating coatings are almost always fluorinated (PFAS-based) in this price and performance tier, though Trespass has not publicly disclosed the chemistry. Polyester itself is durable and UV-resistant, making it suitable for outdoor use, but the water-repellent coating treatment is where chemical exposure risk concentrates.
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 tents almost universally rely on fluorinated water-repellent coating finishes. Trespass has not disclosed the composition or confirmed PFAS-free status, making exposure likely if the standard fluorinated chemistry is used.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Polyester fabrics can shed microfibers, particularly with friction, abrasion, or washing. Camping use (rubbing against gear, weathering) may release small fibers, though outdoor dispersal and volume are typically low-risk.
Source, EPA ↗VOC off-gassing from treatments
Any chemical finish on polyester may release trace volatile organic compounds, especially when new or in warm conditions. This is usually mild and dissipates within days to weeks of airing out before use.
Mold and bacterial growth if poorly maintained
Polyester tents are prone to mildew if stored damp or in poorly ventilated spaces. This is a maintenance issue rather than a manufacturing hazard, but can create respiratory irritation or odors.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or public reports of lead, cadmium, or harmful azo dyes in Trespass polyester tents. Polyester dyeing standards are generally well-regulated in the EU market.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Trespass is a UK outdoor brand with no published transparency on PFAS use, PFOA-free claims, or water-repellent coating specifications for this product. No major recalls or chemical controversies have been documented for Trespass tents in public records. The brand has not signed commitments to phasing out fluorinated water-repellent coating, which is standard practice among some competitors but not universal. Silence on water-repellent coating composition is typical for mid-market tent brands but contrasts with premium manufacturers who increasingly disclose or eliminate PFAS.
How it compares in its category
Most recreational polyester tents in this category (budget-to-mid range) use fluorinated water-repellent coating coatings without disclosure. Higher-end brands like Big Agnes and REI Co-op increasingly offer PFAS-free alternatives or transparent labeling. Trespass occupies the middle ground, adequate performance without premium transparency. If PFAS avoidance is a priority, you would need to confirm the water-repellent coating chemistry directly with Trespass or choose certified PFAS-free tents, which are growing but still less common in the budget segment.
If you buy it
Use the tent as supplied without modifying or aggressively washing the fabric, as this minimizes exposure to any PFAS-treated coating. Avoid machine washing or harsh scrubbing of the tent body; spot-clean with water only and air-dry. Store in a dry, cool place to prevent mildew, which might otherwise prompt aggressive cleaning. If concerned about PFAS, contact Trespass directly to request water-repellent coating composition; their response will inform whether this product aligns with your safety preferences.
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
- Trespass 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.