How nice would it be to have an actual pop-up tent that takes seconds to set up?
This was Decathlon’s goal when it created its line of tents that offer “2-second setup.”
Quechua—pronounced Ketch-Wah (you’re welcome)—is the tent line from Decathlon, a popular outdoor brand.
However, are Decathlon tents any good?
Lets deep-dive into Quechua and see what Decathlon tents have to offer!
In a Hurry? Here's My Top 3 Picks
|
Best Overall
|
My Choice
|
Best Value
|
Decathlon Tents Brand
Innovation and ingenuity are what Quechua boasts the most about.
In 2005, the 2-second pop-up tent arrived for Quechua, and the company has been the leading brand of pop-up tents since.
What to Expect With a Quechua Tent
Price
Quechua tents are at the lower to mid-range price point. While you might be able to find 2 person tents cheaper than Quechua, the ease of setup and takedown might be worth the few extra dollars.
And certainly there are 2 person tents on the market that exceed Quechua prices.
Quality/Durability
Quechua is a mid-grade tent manufacturer on par with Coleman tents in terms of quality.
The tents are of medium quality; they will most likely hold up in a rainstorm but have some quality control issues.
For one, Quechua tents have fiberglass and thermoplastic tent poles that easily break and cause the tent to be completely unusable.
It is recommended that you use aluminum poles with tents.
With that in mind, Quechua tents might not hold up to strong winds without a pole breaking.
Along with this, there are some quality control complaints about zippers breaking.
However, with these complaints come many redeeming qualities. For their fairly low cost, Quechua tents hold up well against rain and, overall, seem to have good longevity.
Weight/Size
While Quechua may make claims about its tents being backpacker-friendly, this is not the case.
Quechua tents weigh in at 9-10 lbs, and the pop-up style specifically folds down to a disk shape.
The disk is too large to place into a backpack and too bulky to strap onto a backpack frame.
That being said, the tent is a wonderful size for car camping, especially if you’re already strapped for space while packing.
These tents are 2-3 person and will comfortably fit just that. It’s a pleasant surprise that a double air mattress does, indeed, fit into this tent.
Typically, 2 person tents are too narrow for that.
However, if you want room for your gear, I’d go with sleeping pads to save room.
These tents are also sitting room only. You won’t be able to stand up in your tent, which might not be an issue for some people.
Ease of Pitching and Takedown
Here’s where Quechua tents really shine and clearly where Decathlon has put its time and effort.
Quechua tents have two different setup styles:
2-second pop-up design - They remind me of the pop-up tubes and cubes you see at daycares and collapse in seconds. Placing the guy lines just right takes a few more seconds, and then it’s move-in ready. Unlike with other tents, the rainfly is preconnected, which also saves on setup time.
This unique system is the main selling point of Quechua tents.
Watch how to pitch the Fresh & Black 2p Tent
Watch how to collapse the Fresh & Black 2p Tent:
2-second easy tent (pull-string design) - With this style, you pull on a string (one for each side of the tent) and can listen as the tent poles pop into place. Just like the other tent, after that, you place your guy lines and are done!
Watch how to pitch and collapse the 2-Second Easy Tent:
Classic dome-style - Quechua also sells classic dome-style tents pitched with traditional poles.
Air beam-style - These are inflatable tents that use air channels to prop up the tent in a standing position. This is the largest type of tent that Quechua offers and is a great family tent.
Waterproofing and Ventilation
When used with an appropriately sized tarp as a footprint and maybe a tarp above the tent, Quechua tents hold up reasonably well in wet conditions.
There are some complaints about condensation buildup on the inside of the tent in humid conditions, but rain doesn’t seem to seep through the tent.
So, in terms of waterproofing, Quechua tents can hold up. The brand needs to work on ventilation, however.
Usability
The usability of Quechua pop-up tents is fairly good. They are easy to use and functional (from a sitting or lying position).
One of the biggest complaints about this tent, however, is the design of the rainfly. Because the rainfly comes pre-attached, it does not extend from the tent very far.
When the rainfly is wet and you’re trying to get in and out of your tent, rain and water can easily get inside.
This can become quite frustrating when there's only a small amount of space, and it’s most likely your bed that's getting wet.
Other than that, the tent does well with usability. The Fresh & Black (which we’ll get more into soon) option is a nice feature for those who like to feel cozy and sleep in.
There is a hook for a lantern on the ceiling, a drying line at the topmost part of the tent, and pockets for storage.
Decathlon Tents Review - My Top 3 Picks
|
Best Overall
|
My Choice
|
Best Value
|
Quechua 2 Seconds XL Fresh & Black 2 Person Tent
The XL Fresh & Black is my choice because it fully utilizes Quechua’s unique technology of keeping the tent cool and dark.
Under the topmost layer is blackout fabric that keeps the interior nice and dark, even when it’s sunny out.
Read also: Best Blackout Tents
The outermost layer is white and has TiO2 technology that reflects the sun's rays, keeping the tent at a cool temperature.
Because of these layers, the tent is fully covered, which means no stargazing. On the other hand, it means better weather protection. The fly and walls have a 2000mm waterproof rating.
To help with ventilation, two panels can be opened at the bottom of the tent walls.
However, I wouldn’t want to fall asleep with these vents open if there was any chance of rain.
This 2 person tent can be a bit snug for 2, but taller customers love that they easily fit into the tent with no issues.
Pros:
- Remains dark inside the tent even after sunrise
- Can withstand winds up to 30 mph
- Remains cooler than the company’s other tents because of the outermost material
Cons:
- No mesh ceiling for stargazing
- Side panels open and close only from the outside of the tent
Quechua 2 Seconds Pop Up Tent
If you’re going camping by yourself or with a partner, the 3 man pop-up tent will give you just a little bit of extra space, which you’ll really appreciate.
The entryway is massive and easy to use, which is great for getting in and out. You won’t need to climb over anyone.
The ventilation on this tent compared to the 2p XL tent above is very similar. Two ground panels open and there’s an upper air vent.
This tent also offers the blackout feature and even the filtering UV fabric.
However, the tent is a darker color, so the interior can heat up easier compared to the 2p XL.
Pros:
- Added bonus of larger capacity
- Remains dark inside the tent after sunrise
- Large door for easy in/out
Cons:
- The same as the 2p XL above
2 Seconds XL AIR III Pop Up Tent
The XL AIR III 3 tent has all the incredible benefits of the previous two tents, along with (my favorite part) an entrance vestibule!
I adore vestibules on the front of tents, which makes this the best tent on the list.
They’re perfect for leaving your dirty shoes in a nice, dry space, keeping your gear dry but out of the way, and having a little bit of dry-off space if you get caught in the rain.
While the vestibule isn’t gigantic, it is a nice size and adds even more quality to an already great tent.
What’s also nice is that you can leave the vestibule door open and keep just your inner screen door open to still have privacy and airflow if needed during the night.
The only negative of this tent is that it doesn’t have the Fresh & Black technology.
That being said, it does still have UV reflectant fabric on the outside, and it’s still darker inside the tent than what you’d find with a traditional tent.
Pros:
- Extra space inside the tent and with the added vestibule
- Vestibule
Cons:
- Does not utilize the Fresh & Black technology
8 More Decathlon Tents That Are Also Great
Quechua MH100 - 2 person Classic Dome
The Quechua MH100 is a budget-friendly 2 person tent that will meet all your basic camping needs. This tent has minimal bells and whistles, as it is designed for the bare minimum.
Pros:
- Great for beginner backpackers
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Too narrow and short for some people
- Air ventilation is minimal
- Good for winds only up to 25 mph
Forclaz QuickHiker Fresh & Black
The Forclaz tent is a lightweight tent that offers quite a bit: 2 doors, 2 porches, and Fresh & Black technology.
Pros:
- Resists heavier winds up to 45 mph
- Great ventilation
- Dark inside for sleeping in
Cons:
- Not an easy setup
Quechua 2 Second Easy Fresh & Black
As shown in the video above, this tent pitches in only a few seconds when you pull on 2 different strings. This is also how the tent is packed away.
Pros:
- 2-second set up
- Holds up to 30 mph winds
- High-quality materials
Cons:
- Heavier than the other 2 person tents
- 1 door
Forclaz Trek 500 Classic Dome 3 Person
This tent is simple, low weight, and practical. With room for 3, it offers 2 doors and 2 porches and is extremely practical. When its weight is split between 2-3 people, this tent can easily go on backpacking trips.
Pros:
- Can withstand winds up to 45 mph
- Great weatherproofing
- Practical tent that does the job well
Cons:
- No blackout fabric
Quechua Arpenaz Classic Dome 4 Person
This 4 person tent uses classic poles to set up but is still pretty simple and quick to put together.
The tent offers 2 rooms: a large living room and a smaller bedroom in the back. The tent is spacious, but breaks down fairly small given its size.
Pros:
- Can withstand winds of 30 mph
- Has an easy setup with a color-coded system for the poles
- Light and airy
Cons:
- No blackout fabric
- Poor quality tent bag
Quechua Air Seconds - 4 Person Air Beam
The Air Seconds tent line offers tents that are all-in-1, with no setup required other than filling up the air beams.
The bedrooms are already pre-assembled and each tent is designed with family camping in mind.
Pros:
- One person easy setup
- Tons of room
- Storage pockets throughout the tent
- Great ventilation
Cons:
- Air beams can’t withstand heavy rain or snow
- Hand pump sold separately
Quechua Fresh & Black Air Seconds - 4 Person
This tent has all the benefits of the previous tents while also having Fresh & Black technology.
It’s designed with maximum comfort in mind, with 2 spacious rooms and top-of-the-line blackout fabric and ventilation.
Pros:
- Fresh & Black technology
- Withstands winds of 35 mph
- Waterproof
Cons:
- Air beams can’t withstand heavy rain or snow
- Hand pump sold separately
This tent comes in a 5 person model, found here.
This tent comes in a (massive!) 6 person model, found here.
Quechua Air Seconds Fresh & Black - 4 Person, 2 Rooms
This is a 4 person tent with 2 separate bedrooms and a living room.
It would be great for a family whose parents want a room separate from the kids, or if 2 friends go camping and want separate sleeping quarters.
Pros:
- 99% blackout fabric
- Can withstand winds of 35 mph
- Visually, looks really cool!
Cons:
- Headspace isn’t quite as lofty as with the other tents
- Air beams can’t withstand heavy rain or snow
- Hand pump sold separately
Final Thoughts
For some, an easy tent setup is the most important feature of a tent. This makes a Decathlon Quechua Tent perfect for them.
Great for music festivals, family campsites, and backyard camping, Quechua pop-up tents are convenient and easy to use.
Overall, the Decathlon Quechua line of tents is a solid choice and can be a great addition to your camping gear.
Read more:
Kendall Casey
Kendall is a freelance outdoor adventure writer passionate about educating those who wish to explore the outdoors. When Kendall isn’t writing, she is exploring the woods of the US Northeast on foot or kayak.
