Camping doesn’t have to be a big hassle. Choose the right kit, and your trip can be just as chill as any other kind of holiday. If you want to go from arriving at your destination to sitting down with a drink in as short a time as possible, an easy-pitch tent is your friend. Decathlon has some of the very best quick-pitch, wallet-friendly tents I’ve come across (I grew up camping, and spent two years reviewing outdoors kit, so I’ve seen plenty of tents in my time).
Below, I’ve rounded up my top picks from the brand’s Quechua range, from true ‘pop-up’ tents that explode (gently) into shape the second they’re released from their carry bag, to slightly more involved easy-pitch concoctions, to larger tents with air poles rather than awkward solid ones. (If you’re new to this whole camping game, scroll down for a few of my top tips on how to choose.)
My personal go-to is the two-person easy-pitch option. It’s not strictly a pop-up — instead, you pull two cords and each side opens with a mechanism a bit like an umbrella. It’s still incredibly easy and quick to pitch, feels nice and sturdy, and has that all-important blackout interior. Despite the fact I own a number of fancier tents, it remains my go-to for casual camping trips.
Instant winners
How to choose — 3 top tips
1. Look for numbers
If you’re finding yourself getting confused with the model names, remember a number tends to indicate the capacity. So if there’s a four in there, it’s probably a four-person (the same goes for a ‘400’ — ignore those zeros, they’re decorative). If there’s a decimal or an ‘XL’ added, that’ll tell you there’s extra space, such as a porch or generous sleeping area. So the ‘Air Seconds 5.2’ is a five-person tent with some extra space.
2. Blackout is your best friend
I’d always prioritize blackout fabric, even if it’s slightly more expensive. It really does make any camping trip that much more comfortable, by not just blocking that 5am sunshine, but also helping regulate the temperature inside the tent. In the Quechua range, ‘Fresh & Black’ tells you there’s blackout fabric.
3. Approach pop-ups with caution
Remember that true pop-up tents are a doddle to put up, but slightly fiddlier to put down. The first time you come to pack up, I’d factor in a few minutes of wrangling while you figure out how it all works.
More options…
While the above options are good quality and win when it comes to ease of use, if you want something that’s going to last over many years in any weather conditions, it’s worth investing in a more traditional design that’s slightly more time-consuming to put up. Below, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite options from reliable outdoors brands.
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