Question 1

What should i check before leaving?

Accepted Answer

To avoid any unpleasant surprises when you get to pitch your tent, it's a good idea to carry out a few checks so you can set off with peace of mind.

- Take your tent out of its bag to air it and reduce any bad odours, and clean it if necessary (see our maintenance advice below).
- Check the condition of your equipment: make sure that none of the tent poles are broken, that the guy ropes are not faulty, that you are not missing any tent pegs, etc.
- Examine the fabric and the groundsheet to check that there are no holes
- Check the condition of the zips to see if they are working properly

Question 2

Where should you pitch your tent?

Accepted Answer

Before pitching your tent, it is essential to choose an appropriate spot. So, we have listed some tips to help you find the perfect spot :

If you have a pitch:
- Do not pitch your tent near the entrance, restaurants and activity centres of your campsite in order to get as much peace and quiet as possible.
- Check out the neighbouring pitches to make sure you aren't next to a summer camp or a large family that could be very noisy.
- Prepare a sufficiently large area outdoors if you have children so that they can let off some steam
- Check your pitch to see if there are any stones, branches or other objects that could potentially damage the tent
- A shaded area is preferable if the period when you are leaving is very hot

If you are wild camping:
- Look for a flat, relatively clear area (no stones, branches, etc.) to sleep well and not damage your tent
- Do not pitch tent too close to water. There are a number of reasons for this: humidity, insects, the water level can rise up, etc.
- Reduce the exposure to the wind so that you don't get buffeted and opt for a relatively sheltered location, e.g. near undergrowth.
- Always place the entrance of your tent away from the prevailing wind
- When it's cold, find a location that is exposed to the morning sun to avoid getting too cold.

Question 3

How resistant is your tent to the weather conditions?

Accepted Answer

All our tents are tested in the laboratory to validate their waterproofing: an initial test is conducted under a 200 L per hour per square metre shower of water for three hours. The second test is carried out in real-life conditions by our experts.

In terms of wind resistance, our tents are also tested in a wind tunnel on a turntable.

To see the specific characteristics of your tent model, consult the product data sheets available on the Decathlon website.

Question 4

What is the fresh & black technology?

Accepted Answer

Cooler and darker so that you can sleep better! Fresh & black is a technology patented by Decathlon which reflects the sun's rays and keeps the light out using specific materials. This makes it feel less hot inside the tent, and also makes it darker inside. To make the most of this technology, don't forget to air the tent in the evening!

Question 5

What are the benefits of polycotton?

Accepted Answer

Polycotton tents have many benefits:- better resistance to UV light- more breathability- more durability- more lightweightWarning: polycotton is a more delicate fabric when compared to other fabrics, so take special care when drying and cleaning it, in particular. Check out all our maintenance tips below.

Question 6

How to prevent condensation?

Accepted Answer

Whether it's repeated rainfall throughout the day, persistent warm air when it's cold outside, body heat, etc. all of these factors can create condensation inside the tent. To prevent this, here is some advice:

- Open up the vents of the tent as much as possible, even when it's raining
- Do not creating any creases when pitching the tent, as this can cause water droplets to accumulate
- Do not pitch the tent too close to water. Instead choose a sheltered location where the temperature and humidity do not fluctuate as much.

To remove any condensation that may already be present, gently wipe off the droplets with a cloth and air the tent as much as possible. Open the door and put it in a dry place so that it dries out.