Wild campingDecathlonTent
Decathlon Forclaz MT900 UL 2 tent review: a UL shelter that punches well above its price tag
A budget-friendly tunnel tent that's tough enough to withstand challenging conditions — and one of the best value shelters on the UK market.
By Adrian Wilson
✓ RecommendedDecathlon Forclaz MT900 UL 2
RRP£219.99Weight1.75 kgSeasons3-season
The good✓ Genuinely lightweight for a 2-person tent
✓ Very quick to pitch
✓ Strong water repellency
✓ Roomy solo, workable for two
✓ Good wind resistance
The not-so-good✗ Thin bathtub floor — handle with care
✗ Flaps loudly in high winds
✗ Inner-pitch first
Check price →
At a glance
| Brand | Decathlon / Forclaz |
| Model | MT900 UL 2 Tunnel Trekking Tent |
| RRP | £219.99 |
| Weight | 1.75 kg |
| Capacity | 2 person / best solo |
| Seasons | 3-season |
| Waterproofing | 3,000mm HH |
| Best for | Trekking, backpacking, wild camping |
| Not for | Fastpacking |
Buy the Forclaz MT900 UL 2 at Decathlon →
Overview
Decathlon is one of the most recognisable outdoor brands on the high street — reliable, accessible, and increasingly serious about its technical gear. Their Forclaz range, launched with a focus on low-impact durable products for serious adventurers, sits at the quality end of what the brand produces. The MT900 UL 2 Tunnel Trekking Tent is one of four styles in the MT900 range and, at £219.99, represents excellent value for a 3-season shelter with genuine UL credentials.
At 1.75 kg, it's slightly on the heavier end for ultralight tents — but context matters. The Fjällräven Abisko Lite 1 weighs 1.6 kg and costs over twice as much. The Terra Nova Southern Cross 1 is technically superior but in another price bracket altogether. For most three-season wild campers on a budget, the MT900 UL 2 is hard to beat.
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How we tested
We took the MT900 UL 2 on a ten-day camping trip to the Scottish island of Islay, where gale-force winds and torrential rainstorms put it through its paces. We also tested it on a still night in the Shropshire Hills and on Dartmoor, giving us a full range of British conditions from calm to genuinely brutal.
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Features and performance
Pitching and ease of use
The MT900 UL 2 features a tunnel design with a single pole and flysheet and inner pre-attached — you simply peg it out and adjust tension. It was up in under ten leisurely minutes on the first attempt, and could comfortably be pitched in five with practice. Extra guy ropes can be added in high winds for additional stability, which we'd recommend for exposed Scottish locations.
Weather performance
On Islay, the weather threw everything it had at our exposed campsite. The MT900 UL 2 remained sturdy and dry across all but the most extreme night — when driving rain and gale-force winds caused the fly to sag against the inner, allowing some water ingress into the sleeping area. Critically, far more expensive tents in the vicinity were blown over completely that night. The only real failing was in extreme conditions that would test any shelter at this weight.
The 3,000mm hydrostatic head rating on the polyester fly proved its worth in sustained rain, and the tunnel design's low profile kept it stable in winds that were surprisingly challenging.
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Space and livability
At 205cm internal length and 95cm height, the MT900 UL 2 is roomy for solo use — plenty of space to stretch out. As a 2-person tent it works, but only if you're packing light and on very good terms with your tentmate. The vestibule is modest: just about large enough for a 28L pack, leaving little overflow space. We ended up storing the pack inside and using the porch for cooking and food. It packs down to roughly 40cm — reasonable for the frame.
Quick tipTake a groundsheetThe thin bathtub floor of the MT900 UL 2 is functional but we'd recommend pairing it with a thin groundsheet on rocky or rooty pitches. It's not fragile, but it's not armour either. Decathlon stocks replacement parts cheaply, which gives some peace of mind.
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Buy the Forclaz MT900 UL 2 at Decathlon →
Our verdictExceptional value for a 3-season tent that genuinely earns its place in serious conditions.The MT900 UL 2 is one of the best value backpacking tents on the UK market. It's not trying to be ultralight-class — it's trying to be a dependable, affordable shelter that performs when conditions deteriorate. On that score, it largely succeeds.The thin floor and noise in high winds are real caveats, and the vestibule is tighter than we'd like for multi-day use. But at £219.99, you're getting a shelter that held its ground in a Scottish gale while others blew over. For hikers and wild campers who want reliability on a realistic budget, it's a compelling buy. Buy now →
FAQs
How does the Decathlon MT900 UL 2 perform in wind?Impressively. Even in gale-force conditions on Islay, it outperformed many rivals, withstanding sustained battering while neighbouring tents blew over. Some fabric noise at night, but nothing structural.
How easy is the Decathlon MT900 UL 2 to pitch?Very — one pole, flysheet and inner pre-attached. The whole pitch takes minutes. Extra guy ropes can be added in high winds.
Is the Decathlon MT900 UL 2 worth the money?Yes. At £219.99, it's toward the lower end for lightweight trekking tents but the quality resembles a more expensive product. Few options combine space, durability and performance at this price.
Is the Decathlon MT900 UL 2 a true 2-person tent?Technically yes, but it's better described as a spacious solo tent. Two can sleep in it if packing light, but vestibule space is tight for two sets of gear.