DECATHLON FORCLAZ MT 500 FRESH & BLACK TENT REVIEW
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- In this video I provide an initial view on the Decathlon Forclaz MT 500 Fresh & Black 2 person dome tent, showing tent, its features and providing an initial thought after spending a couple of nights on a camping trip.
The location is Stonethwaite Farm Campsite, Borrowdale, which is near the town of Keswick in the English Lake District, a beautiful area of mountains and lakes.
The thoughts and actions outlined in the video are personal to me and everyone will need to view things from their own perspective.
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I’m still using a 3 man Decathalon tent that I’ve had for 30 years. Like all Decathalon products they’re great quality at great prices and you save so much by not paying for a trendy name.
Brilliant review mate.
I have a MH100 FRESH & BLACK 3person tent from Decathlon. I have to say it's amazing for 2 person motorbike touring. For 2 full size mats and helmets, paniers, etc in the tent...
Looking forward for your 'bad weather test'.
Cheers for the feedback, I was genuinely surprised how good it is and have used it further but no bad weather at the moment…. and I really enjoy bad weather tests 😂
Very nice review Andrew. It did wind me up when the afore mentioned reviewer (who shall remain nameless) slated the setting up of this tent. I am old and have set up some tents in my lifetime and this is by far one of, if not the easiest tents I have ever set up. I cannot warrant buying a tent at MSR prices when you have this quality tent 'and' a five year warranty from a company who will not quibble if there is a problem. Also, if you are touring Europe there are Decathlon's everywhere and they will honour the warranty. I did not go for the Forclaz fresh and black (I have the normal MT500,) although I do have 2 Quechua fresh and blacks. The reason I did not go for the F&B is that although they are great at keeping out the heat and light, I found they are a bit depressing when the weather is not so good and you are sometimes stuck in the tent with a book you can't see. You are blessed with some great backdrops :-)
Thank you Mac, I’ve been using the tent further and have to say very impressed but I do get what you say about the blackout…it’s so dark I’m lying in every morning 😆 I also saw the previous review on how difficult it was to put up but then found it very simple, indeed having used it a few times now find it very quick to put up! On a trip last weekend the weather was quite warm through the night and found those bottom vents brilliant….don’t know why I didn’t look at Decathlon before, particularly as I get other things from there and more than happy with quality! Anyhow, thanks for your thoughts and I may see if they have any new tents to review next year 👍🏻
Hi Mac, I have been given one of these mt500 tents and really struggle to get the tent poles in the grommets when setting up. Did you experience anything like this?
@@joeyfekete1433 When I first got it, it was a tight fit (but not overly) but no problem at all now. Maybe put it up in your garden for a couple of days to stretch and get the water hose on it if it doesn't rain. Just been using my mt500 in Scotand for winter camping.... czcams.com/video/Zi2sg9DqaFc/video.html
Brilliant, thorough review. We have a big 5-6 person family tent but I've been thinking of getting a little easy to pitch one for me and my 6yr old daughter to go on short adventures. This might be the one!
Thanks David, to be honest you cant really go wrong with the 5 year warranty, although they seem to have sold out this season of this particularly model but there’s also a none blackout version.
From Egypt.. Thanks a lot for that detailed review. You really helped me making a buy decision 🤠
Thanks Hazem, very good decision and I hope it works well for you. Egypt is a wonderful country, do you get chance to camp out in desert areas, something that must be incredible for the night sky! All the best regards, Andrew
@@thecampingbiker791 Not yet, I'm a newbie, just bought a new Jimny, and now preparing my lightweight gear.
@@HazemElDerwy you’re going to have a great time, plenty of lightweight camping gear about and the Jimney is perfect for getting out there……well, other than my modified Honda CB500x motorcycle 😆 Let me know how your first camp goes 👍🏻
Keep in mind 5 years warranty is a limited warranty. Not everything is covered.
I narrowed my search for a tent down to this for my mototrcyle tour. Then finding a review by a fellow tourer, amazing! It's currently on sale for £110 here.
I saw the update video as well, good to hear it was a hit.
That’s a great price, don’t think you’ll be disappointed 👍🏻
@@MrTandtrollet where are you touring
@@thecampingbiker791 I'm in Sweden, about to tour in continental Europe though =)
@@MrTandtrollet excellent, hope you have a great trip 👍🏻
Excellent review again Andrew, looks amazing that tent ⛺, could be in my to buy list after a wet test, loving the blackout, had the Coleman festival 3 blackout, it was good but this looks better 👍
Thanks so much, I appreciate the support at what can be a tough but great hobby 😃 I’ve been pleasantly surprised how good this tent is (so far) and have used it a few nights now with the key things of note so far being quickness of putting up and taking down, the blackout being so good at keeping tent slightly cooler in this hot weather, and the little ground vents on the sides are excellent! The blackout is a bit too good as I can’t get up in the mornings 😂 Rain test slightly delayed with this ‘heatwave’ 😆 👍🏻
Very nice-looking tent with nice features, easy to erect, this looks an ideal moto camp tent. Thanks for the review Andrew.
Cheers John, excellent bit of kit and when we eventually get rain I’ll test it further 😆
It's the best tent i think
Yes, I have a few tents, this one is packed with features and long warranty, and I really do like it 👍🏻
This is what I call a great review 👍🏼 Brilliant! Thank‘s for taking your time doing this!
Thank you Ralf, that’s very kind of you to say so.
extremely detailed review. appreciate it a lot! also you have a great voice
Thank you
Very thorough and interesting review, thanks a lot ! :)
Thank you for that and glad it was interesting, watch out next Friday for an update after wet and cold camping trip I’ve used it on….actually, I’ve used it several times since the video and like it very much 👍🏻
thank you for the review.
Thanks 👍🏻
Nice and thank you, I will think about, find no other good tent for me and my dog. ( Malino )
Cause if he destroys something it's not sooo painful. But the colour again...
I would like to know how it handl stormy weather...
Greetings
Greetings to you and Malino!
I haven’t had it in a storm yet, although had it in wet and windy conditions for which it performed well. I’m confident it would be okay in a storm with the quality and construction.
Thanks for your video :)
Appreciate that 😊
nice video
Like that tent over your others Quechua stuff is very good and economically priced.
Very much so, I’ll be keeping an eye out for anything new that comes along
@@thecampingbiker791 the tent model is Forclaz MT500 by the maker which I think is Quechua pronounced Ketch you wa.
@@johnrocker2986 thanks John, have a Great Christmas 👍🏻
@@thecampingbiker791 You too from Eastoft
Very interesting video Andrew
Has it out a few times now, including the last few days wild camp up in Scotland, performed well in heavy rain and then sub zero temperatures
How do you compare in real terms to the MSR?? Which you can now buy for £280 including groundsheet. Interesting to read your views.
That’s a tough one to answer Martin. I really like my MSR and the new Decathlon equally but for different uses and weather! The MSR is an excellent tent for warmer weather, although I have used in winter, but it’s not a winter tent really due to ample mesh, lower waterproofing rating on fly, and some risks with very high side winds due, although I’ve not had issues I wouldn’t want to use on a mountain in high winds or storms. In summer the MSR is brilliant with multiple ways the fly can be set up, from no fly (inner use only) both sides rolled back completely, to only having fly over half the tent…really useful. Also it’s a nice bright interior which is very liveable in terms of spending time inside tent. The Decathlon has been a surprise in terms of quality and features, as per video, and having subsequently used in wintery weather found to be a great little winter tent, with strong pole structure, high waterproof rating, blackout interior and high level of solid inner material, however with the extra zippable venting, a feature found in the most expensive of tents. Also, the tent is pitch in one set up, which has the advantages in really wet weather, and is a more robust wind proof and waterproof tent on paper. The blackout is good for keeping day temp slightly lower in summer and night temperatures slightly warmer in winter, although if sitting out daytime weather inside is a bit dark and not as nice to sit in as the MSR. For all these reasons if I could only have one or the other it would be tough to choose, but I guess if winter camping is in the mix then it would have to be the Decathlon!!!! However, if travelling on a long trip where I was living out of the tent it would have to be the MSR. In reality I’ve got too many tents, up to nine, of which two are new and as yet unused 😂 indeed both new ones are Robens, one a tunnel tent and the other a small one person quick set up tent, both with high HH ratings and windproof testing, working well in all seasons. I’ve been struggling to figure out what to sell between the Decathlon and MSR and up to now haven’t managed but possibly with the new tents it may well be the MSR I keep. Sorry if that went on a bit but it helps me to choose 😆 👍🏻
@@thecampingbiker791 that was more than helpful, and appreciate taking your time out to explain. The MSR is currently available for £267 including footprint and 5 year warranty and pole replacement for the lifetime of the tent, making it better VFM against decathlon, though decathlon are good with warranty and straight replacement, which why I’m put off with Naturehike.
@@iam_mono1892 No problem Martin, with 5 year warranty the MSR sounds a good buy.
Looks a good tent Andrew , I missed where you bought it from , need new ears me thinks .
Regards
Niall
Bought it from the Warrington Decathlon store and yes it’s odd but very practical….looks like it’s got wings 😂
Nice video ; )
Is it right that there is no mesh function against mosquitios on the doors?
Thank you… there is a mesh panel at the top of the doors and a zip down panel at either end that can be zipped from solid into mesh so venting really good and obviously keeping the insects out…but there’s no full mesh panel on the doors.
What is the real lengh of the floor in bedroom? Which size of mattres You can fit there? Im 190cm tall and currently im using Loap Hiker 3 person Fresh&Black tent (really good, and fit into pannier). Do You think it will fit me inside not rubbing the sides with head and feet?
I measured it to the 210x120cm as promoted by Decathlon and was using a 183cm exped mat so worked well for me….you would have about 10cm either end so should be okay…also good pack size as well 39x17cm
@@thecampingbiker791 Thank You for the response. Those dimensions manufacturers provide are usually very "optimistic" and in real life they are usuallu at least few centimeters less than advertised. CHeers.
@@nrnrnrify no problem and thanks for watching
Hello Andy. Just rewatching a few of your old videos. I'm looking for a new tent to replace my Coleman 2 man tent. Do you still think this is a good buy. We're heading over to the Alps next year for 2 weeks camping and I'd like something better and easier to put up than my Coleman. What's your thoughts please?
Definitely a good buy, particularly for the money and features, however a lot depends on what camping you’re likely to do, base camp or moving day by day and although the blackout is brilliant at keeping the tent dark sometimes that’s a disadvantage if having to spend rainy hours during daylight in the tent..it’s too dark 😂 I would look at two alternatives, both 2 man and similar shape, from Decathlon, the Forclaz MT900 or the MT500 none blackout.. the 900 is an inner pitch first with benefit of being able to sleep under the stars without fly if really hot or humid, and is a more technical tent, the 500 is outer pitch first with obvious benefit of being better to pitch in the rain…. although I’ve never had any issue with my inner first pitching and much prefer other than winter camping! The 500 is exceptionally good value at £119.99 I’d be happy with either and the blackout tent is very good at what it does. To sum up, for my recent trip to Europe in warm weather I took the MSR Elixir1 which is inner first and I prefer this type of set up for those conditions. All the best, Andy
@@thecampingbiker791 wow, thanks for the detailed reply. Hmm, never thought of sitting in the tent on a rainy day in the dark, there is experience for you. I'll look into the MT500 and 900 and see which see more suitable. It'll be moving on each night, not staying put unless we have to. I'll look at the MSR also.
Thanks again.
@@575ban I’ve a good review coming out soon of the MSR Elixir1 I used on the recent trip..you might have caught a glimpse of it in one of the episodes just published:
Episode 1 of 10 | Motorcycle Camping Trip | France Belgium Germany
czcams.com/video/sBqtamJ8FT8/video.html
Also, have the Elixir2 which has been reviewed previously on the channel 👍🏻
Great tent, unfortunately it looks like they've now dropped the fresh and black version
That’s a shame, good tent!
Dear Andrew, thanks for your review, I really liked it! I am actually considering this tent vs. the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 that you also reviewed. Which of the 2 would you consider the best option for a motor camping tent? Thanks and keep up the good work, Dennis
Hi Dennis, that’s a tough question to answer! It’s one that I’ve asked myself many times for when I do a longer trip..with a range of tents to choose from I’ve always come back to thinking the Cloud Up2 would be the one as it’s the lightest and smallest pack size with simple quick erecting, and originally I thought it would be my MSR Elixir2 but not sure now as it’s twice the pack size of the Cloud Up2 and longer to pitch but both roughly same interior ground floor!! The Decathlon has made it even more difficult for the longer trip decision but for everyday normal motorbike camping I honestly think the Decathlon has everything (subject to a proper rain test 😂) with simple quick put up/take down, plenty of room, extra features like the blackout keeping genuinely cooler in warm weather, the two ground vents that make a huge difference getting air into the tent when warm (few days ago) plenty of storage, and a 5 year warranty!! So, subject to rain test, I don’t think you can beat this for price and I really do like my Cloud Up2! One thing to note is that the blackout is very black if doors closed and that may be a bit of a pain and dark if stuck in the tent with really bad weather so I’d also consider the none blackout version particularly if using in winter as I do. Hope that’s useful and can’t go wrong with either 👍🏻
Thanks for your clear and concise honest answer. Are you planning a rain test any time soon?
Some background: I’m currently camping with a second hand Coleman Cobra 2. It actually performs quite well, the only downside being that I cannot sit up straight in it. Especially in rain or cold, this is not ideal. Furthermore, I would appreciate 2 down to air the tent during the day. Hence the search for a tent…
@@dennisgeerling I’m busy this coming week but hopefully the following couple of weeks should manage..could just put it up in garden but I like a proper living and sleeping rain test…roll on the rain 😂
@@dennisgeerling I know what you mean, I’ve a couple of one man tents low profile and they’re great for some occasions but having room is luxury 😆 Watch this space for the rain test…I also think this tent could be useful for my winter camping
Отличная палаточка )
So sorry, I can’t translate but have looked at your filming of red bike in the woods…looks great. I have an old East German MZ 250 and love that! Thanks for watching 👍🏻
@@thecampingbiker791 👋I’ll write through a translator, I have the same tent and it pleases with its technology, it adds a couple of hours of sleep, the red motorcycle is Izh Planet 5, it was created in order to ride for mushrooms, for everything else I have gs, and by the way, I have the same pillow😊
@@Rus_man_pro excellent and sorry I couldn’t translate… we British are lazy with languages 😂 Great tents for having a sleep in, and as you mention excellent features. Love your rugged Russian bike, more fun than a GS and no worry at riding in the forest. Keep safe and enjoy the camping 👍🏻
@@thecampingbiker791 Laziness as an engine of progress😂If Russian technology were reliable, then GS would not be needed, you also have good luck and interesting adventures 🤝
thx ;)
Great ;)
Cut to the chase. I fell asleep!
….that’s good if you have insomnia though 😂
Real nice tent, I love the idea of a black out tent! I just checked on Decathlon and it’s back up so I’ll be keeping an eye out for that in the sale lol There’s only a 2 year warranty now which is a shame from the 5 but, still worth it :) Did you try it out in bad weather? 😊
Really good tent and I had it out in heavy rain and cold conditions performing exceptionally well….although not used personally in high winds my experience tells me this tent will cope with it!
Here’s a couple of videos further to my initial one, using in rain and cold wintery conditions
Motorcycle Travel | Mennock Pass | Wild Camping
czcams.com/video/_kk5mpkwCFg/video.html
UPDATE | DECATHLON | FORCLAZ MT 500 FRESH & BLACK TENT
czcams.com/video/1PMmNMLDI6w/video.html
@@thecampingbiker791 sounds good to me :) Don’t fancy high winds keeping me up all night anyway lol I’ll check out the other videos, love the style of the tent and the fact that the light won’t wake me up in the morning, I’m not a morning person 😂
@@JustBlondie me neither 😆
What a big shame for my country Turkey.
I need to collect my money for 4 months to get it as a student. I hope other students around the world have a good life...
2p? 3p?
2 person 👍🏻
@@thecampingbiker791
👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍
Decathlon makes decent sport equipment, stay away from any of their "outdoor" equipment
Have you had bad experiences with their outdoor gear, good to have the practical feedback 👍🏻
@@davidmatthews3093 sorry I accidentally removed a comment…didn’t mean to just have fat fingers 😱
nice video