Wenzel · Camping Tents & Tarps
Bristlecone 8 Person Tent
Tent fabric likely waterproofed. PFAS status unknown.
Wenzel doesn't disclose waterproof treatment details or PFAS content. Outdoor tent fabrics commonly get water-repellent coating coatings that may have PFAS, though this model's contents remain unconfirmed.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
polyester tent fabric with waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
Aqua Pure
3M Aqua-Pure AP802B Whole House Filter Housing
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
What Bristlecone 8 Person Tent is made of, ingredients and materials
The Bristlecone 8 uses polyester fabric as its base material, which is chemically stable and does not inherently leach toxins into soil or water. The waterproof coating applied to the polyester is the unknown element, Wenzel has not disclosed whether this uses PFAS-based durable water repellents (water-repellent coating) or alternative chemical treatments. Polyester itself does not off-gas formaldehyde or break down into microplastics under normal camping conditions, making the coating chemistry the only material 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
Wenzel has not disclosed waterproofing chemistry. Most polyester tents in this price tier still rely on PFAS-based water-repellent coating as of 2024, making PFAS presence probable but unconfirmed for this specific model.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and leaching
Polyester tent coatings degrade over 3-5 years of regular use. If PFAS is present in the coating, prolonged sun exposure and moisture cycling could increase leaching into groundwater at campsite. Risk is low in transient camping but cumulative if stored outside.
Mold and mildew growth
Polyester tents stored damp are prone to mold, which can produce respiratory irritants (not a chemical hazard but a biological one). This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect, specific to user care.
What’s reassuring
Azo dyes in fabric coloring
No recalls or testing results available for Wenzel polyester tents regarding azo dye safety. Polyester fabrics in camping tents are generally not considered high-risk for azo compound migration because tent fabric does not contact skin or food.
Flame retardants
No evidence that Wenzel treats the Bristlecone 8 fabric with flame retardants. Polyester itself is relatively flame-resistant and rarely requires added flame retardant chemicals for camping tents.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Wenzel, a subsidiary of Coleman (owned by Newell Brands), does not publicly disclose waterproofing chemistries for its tent lines. No PFAS-free or PFAS-reduced certifications are advertised for the Bristlecone 8. The broader camping industry has seen increasing pressure to eliminate PFAS from tent fabrics, but Wenzel has not publicly disclosed its approach to this issue. No known recalls or safety violations specific to this model have been documented.
How it compares in its category
Most mainstream camping tents in this price and size range (8-person capacity) use polyester with undisclosed waterproof coatings, making the Bristlecone 8 typical rather than exceptional. Premium brands like Big Agnes and some REI Co-op tents now specify PFAS-free coatings, but these cost significantly more. Budget tent lines from all manufacturers (Coleman, Ozark Trail, Wenzel) have not generally adopted transparent coating standards, so this product reflects industry-wide opacity on chemical safety.
If you buy it
Store the tent dry and well-ventilated after each use to prevent mold and mildew, which can degrade the waterproof coating faster than normal weathering. Avoid machine washing or exposing the tent to heat above 60C (140F), as this can damage the coating without increasing risk of toxic release. Inspect seams and fabric annually for tears or flaking; once the coating begins to visibly separate, the tent's waterproofing function declines and leaching risk, if PFAS is present, becomes less relevant than structural failure. Clean the exterior with a soft brush and mild soap only, not solvents.
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
- Wenzel 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.