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Have you ever used a tent and then felt strange the next day? Headaches, nausea, seizures, and difficulty breathing? This may be a result of the flame retardant chemicals used to make your tent.
WHY ARE TENTS TOXIC?
Non toxic tents without flame retardants are becoming popular because they are made without the use of harmful flame retardant chemicals. These chemicals have been found to cause dangerous health effects, including cancer, respiratory illness, reproductive toxicity and fetal development problems.
What Are fire-retardants?
Fire retardant chemicals, called organophosphates, make up the bulk of the harmful substances found in camping tents.
A 2016 report conducted by Duke University researchers revealed that flame retardant chemicals like triphenyl phosphate and tris phosphate are linked to harmful health impacts. These chemicals may leech into your hands and into your lungs when you use the tent.
The study was published in Environmental Science & Technology, a prestigious publication located in Washington, D.C., and titled “Characterizing Flame Retardant Applications and Potential Human Exposure in Backpacking Tents.”
why Do tents contain fire-retardants?
Flame retardants are used to keep combustible materials from spreading. Regulations for fire retardant chemicals in tents stretch back to the 1970s, when they were put in place to safeguard fires from paraffin-treated canvas event tents used at circuses and fairs.
However, most people no longer use these type of old fashioned tents. Tent regulations haven’t been revised since the 1990’s, even though outdoor gear technology has evolved significantly.
Do Fire Retardants stop a Tent From Becoming flammable?
Fire retardants DO NOT stop a tent from becoming flammable. Regardless of whether they have been sprayed with a fire retardant, all tents exposed to an open flame will burn. No such thing as a fireproof tent exists.
A List Of Non toxic tents without flame retardants
The non toxic tents in this list are big enough for a minimum of two people and gear, or one person, gear and a pet. We do not recommend single 1 person non toxic tents simply because the space is so restrictive. We acknowledge that even solo campers will need space for backpacks, boots, etc.
REI Co-Op Half Dome Non Toxic Tent Without Flame Retardants
The REI Co-op Half Dome backpacking tent is a lightweight, 3 person tent that still provides ample interior space, intuitive setup and plenty of storage.
- Capacity: 3 Person
- Doors: 2
- Poles: 1
- Weight: 4 pounds, 13 ounces
- Peak Height: 44 inches
- Dimensions: 90 x 78 inches
- Special Features:
- bluesign certified and made without toxic chemicals and fire retardants.
- Mesh panels placed at the top of the tent for better airflow and views.
- Ripstop panels in the bottom tent to decrease the tent’s exposure to drafts and the wind.
- REI proprietary tension-truss construction creates sturdy vertical sidewalls, resulting in a spacious interior with lots of headroom.
- Color-coded pole assembly for each setup.
- Included in the package are a footprint, guylines with tighteners, a pole repair tube, a pole bag, eight stakes, and a stake bag.
The North Face Wawona 6 Non Toxic Tent Without Flame Retardants
The North Face Wawona 6 tent boasts a double-wall design and a large vestibule, which makes it seem less like a tent and more like a home in the wilderness.
- Capacity: 6 Person
- Doors: 2
- Poles: 4
- Weight: 20 pounds
- Peak Height: 41 inches
- Dimensions: 120 x 96 inches
- Special Features:
- Sustainably made without the use of flame retardant chemicals.
- Superior ventilation.
- Made without flame retardants.
- Large vestibule to store bags and gear.
- External guylines for extra stability in bad weather.
Mountain Hardwear Nimbus UL 2 Non Toxic Tent Without Flame Retardants
The Mountain Hardwear Nimbus is a high-value, robust, and lightweight backpacking tent made without flame retardant chemicals. Customer reviews praise the design and lightweight construction – it’s easy to pack and carry over long distance. It also holds up well under windy, rainy conditions.
The Nimbus tent is technically designed for two people, however customer reviews often comment that it is too small for two people to fit comfortably. People also criticize the small headroom space inside the tent.
- Capacity: 2 Person
- Doors: 1
- Poles: 1
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Peak Height: 41 inches
- Dimensions: 35.8 sq. ft.
- Special Features:
- 100% waterproof nylon fly, made without the use of dyes, toxic PU coatings, or chemicals.
- Nylon ripstop shell.
- DAC Featherlight™ poles.
- Canopy protected vestibule with dual sliders.
- Easy exit and entry front mesh door.
- Mesh canopy at the top of the tent for sky gazing.
- DAC J-Stakes.
- G-Hook canopy-to-pole connection mechanism for extra stability.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 Non Toxic Tent Without Flame Retardants
With a weight of less than two pounds, the Hyperlite Mountain Gear UltaMid 2 is on of the premiere lightweight, minimalist, waterproof non toxic tents with plenty of space. The UltaMid 2’s incredible 1.17 lb. weight will reduce any kit’s overall bulk, yet it will not compromise durability. The 100% waterproof Dyneema® Composite Fabrics will outlive silnylon by a long shot.
The rectangular-shaped interior is exceptionally tall for a tent of this size, and it also has greater floor area than most other ultralight tents. This provides plenty of space for two people to stretch out comfortably and store their belongings. The UltaMid 2 is a wonderful solution for a multipurpose shelter that doesn’t sacrifice size or comfort. The UltaMid is targeted for distance cyclists, alpine climbs and long distance trekking tips.
- Capacity: 2 person
- Doors: 1
- Weight: 1 pound, 7.7 ounces
- Peak Height: 5 feet, 4 inches
- Dimensions: 83″ x 107″ inches
- Special Features:
- 100% Waterproof Dyneema Composite Fiber (DCF) fabric made without flame retardants.
- Dyneema Composite Fiber is stronger and longer lasting that carbon fiber.
- Super lightweight, waterproof, great for alpine climbs and long distance hiking.
- Excellent in windy conditions.
- Fully sealed seams prevent moisture from penetrating.
- Dyneema composite keeps mosquitoes away.
- Waterproof bathtub-style foundation protects against rain and snow.
- Excellent ventilation through dual peak vents.
- Waterproof two-way zipper allows for quick entrance and exit.
- Sewn-in guyline conveniently binds rear door panels.
- Pitches can use a hiking pole or a ski pole.
Alpkit Tetri Backpacking Non Toxic Tent Without Flame Retardants
The Alpkit Tetri is a two-person, three-season geodesic hiking tent with three poles for stability and strength. It is sturdy against the weather, light enough to travel with, and simple to set up, with pleasant living space inside.
Tetri non toxic tents are also flexible, depending on your needs. Despite the fact that the outer is intended to be pitched first, the outer and inner may be pitched simultaneously, or the outer can be used as a bivvy shelter on its own for speedier and lighter trips.
- Capacity: 2 person
- Doors: 1
- Weight: 3 kilograms
- Special Features:
- Polyester shell made without flame retardant chemicals.
- Multiple setup options.
- Ample porch space for storing gear, with groundsheet to keep your equipment off the ground.
- Waterproof seams sealed with solvent-free polyurethane tape – PVC & VOC free.
- Bathtub shaped foundation keeps the base of the tent dry.
- Outer shell can be used on its own as a bivvy shelter.
- Guyline ropes to stabilize the tent in the wind.
- Color-coded poles and pole sleeves make pitching simple.
NEMO Aurora 3P Non Toxic Tent Without Flame Retardants
The NEMO Aurora’s brilliant colors and affordable price point create a sense of pleasure and livability. With two entrances and two vestibules, this cabin has a large internal volume and lots of storage space.
High-quality materials and minimal weight make this a great choice for both hiking and vehicle camping.
- Capacity: 3 person
- Weight: 6 pounds, 8 ounces
- Doors: 2
- Peak Height: 44 inches
- Dimensions: 72″ x 88″ inches
- Special Features:
- Removable rain fly and mesh canopy.
- 2 doors provide easy entry, exit and access to gear.
- Vertical walls create more interior space.
- Protective footprint included.
- Easy assembly with intuitive pole design.
- Storage pockets for gear and overhead lights.
- Grommets Pole Attachment.
Alpkit Roundhouse Organic Cotton Canvas Bell Non Toxic Tent
The Roundhouse is a large four-person bell tent made of a polycotton blend of 65% polyester and 35% organic cotton that is both sustainable and long-lasting. The canvas creates a pleasant atmosphere of fresh air throughout the day and night, keeping you cool in the heat and warm in the cold.
The main benefit of organic cotton canvas is that it generates a significantly more pleasant indoor tent environment for living and sleeping. Cotton breathes far better than polyester or nylon, resulting in improved air quality and less condensation. This maintains the ideal temperature for living and sleeping. It keeps cool in hot weather and holds more heat when the temperature lowers, thanks to the cotton.
- Capacity: 6 person
- Weight: 26.94 pounds
- Doors: 2
- Peak Height: 9.84 feet
- Dimensions: 6.56 feet diameter
- Special Features:
- 100% organic cotton polycotton canvas, free of toxic chemicals and fire retardants.
- Polycotton offers a significantly more pleasant indoor tent environment.
- Breathable cotton improves air quality, reduces humidity and creates less condensation.
- More UV resistant and durable.
- Best used in dry conditions.
Why do tents have Prop 65 warning?
“Proposition 65”, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is a California legislation that mandates a warning label on items that contain specific chemicals. Tents contain fire retardant chemicals which are banned in the state of California.
There are seven US states and Canada that have rules about how fire retardant chemicals must be used on tents, even if they are made of lightweight synthetic materials. These US states include California, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Minnesota, and Michigan.
To make matters more confusing, fire retardant chemicals have been banned or restricted in 12 states, including New York and California, as well as South Korea, the European Union, and Canada as well. This makes it hard for manufacturers to sell products that can be universally sold in every market.
Final Thoughts
If you like these products, check out our collection of tents made from recycled materials.
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