Decathlon Forclaz MT900 Trekking Tarp Tent Review: 920 g for Under £130

Introduction

Cutting shelter weight below one kilogram has traditionally meant paying a premium, which is what makes a 920 g one-person tent at £129 in the UK worth a closer look. The Decathlon Forclaz MT900 Trekking Tarp Tent is exactly that: a trekking-pole shelter aimed at solo backpackers who want to travel light without spending a fortune.

It has been wind tunnel tested to withstand wind speeds of up to 70 km/h, or 40 mph, and it packs down to roughly 30 cm by 10 cm by 10 cm, so it disappears into a pack rather than dominating it. Decathlon backs it with a five-year warranty, and the MT900 family has a solid reputation for build quality.

It is also a tent with a few clear quirks, from a striking all-white fabric to a pitch that takes patience. This review covers what works well, what to check before buying, and who will get the most out of it.

Who the Forclaz MT900 Is For

This is a three-season solo shelter for backpackers who already walk with trekking poles. It needs both of them, set somewhere between 110 cm and a maximum of 120 cm, with 115 cm the recommended height. If you hike without poles, this tent is not the right starting point.

It suits wild campers, long-distance walkers and anyone counting grams on multi-day routes. The payoff for the pole requirement is interior space that feels far more usable than the weight suggests. Head height is 95 cm and the floor runs 225 cm long, tapering from 60 cm at the head end to 50 cm at the foot.

For a 172 cm user, that means sitting fully upright with several centimetres of clearance above the head and a little room on both sides, so fabric is not pressing against you while you sleep or dress. The asymmetric shape, with a vertical wall on one side, is what makes that headroom possible in such a light package.

Main Strengths: Light, Compact, and Surprisingly Roomy

The headline number is 920 g, and the packed size of 30 cm by 10 cm by 10 cm is just as relevant for anyone carrying a smaller pack. Very few solo shelters at this weight occupy so little volume.

Weather protection is sensible for three-season use. The fly uses 20D polyester with a hydrostatic head rating of 2,000 mm, while the groundsheet uses a thicker 40D fabric rated to 4,000 mm. There is one door and one vestibule measuring 60 cm, enough for a pack and boots, plus dual zippers and an elasticated toggle for the door.

The interior is deliberately no-frills: one pocket and two lantern hooks, which can be used to run a short line for a light. Two small aluminium poles lift the foot end to create extra space, and there are adjusters along the long side plus additional pegging points to fine-tune tension.

Because the trekking poles sit outside the fly, they lift the canopy instead of intruding into the sleeping area. That is the detail that separates this shelter from tighter single-pole designs, and it is why the vertical wall feels generous rather than cramped. Solid mesh rises to a reasonable height around the lower half, which keeps cold draughts off you at night while still providing ventilation through the hood at the top.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The most obvious talking point is colour. This is the Minimal Editions version, which uses no dye at all in manufacturing and reduces CO2 emissions as a result. That is a genuine environmental benefit, and the white fabric reflects heat in hot weather. The trade-off is practical: in rain it will show dirt quickly, and it stands out on a hillside, which matters in regions where wild camping is restricted and low-profile pitching is preferred.

Pitching takes longer than a freestanding tent and takes some practice to get right, although the result can be a nicely taut shelter. The tent ships with ten thin needle pegs. They are acceptable in dry summer ground but pull out easily in wet conditions, so a set of sturdier pegs is an inexpensive addition worth planning for. Note also that the vertical wall is held in place by a single pegging point on that side, so stake placement and ground conditions deserve attention.

The interior is minimal by design, and the extensive mesh confirms this as a three-season shelter rather than a winter one. This is not a tent for long evenings spent sitting up inside in foul weather, but it is very well thought out for the weight.

Set against those points, the fundamentals hold up. A wind tunnel test to 70 km/h, a five-year warranty and fabric ratings suited to three-season backpacking make the limitations feel like reasonable compromises rather than oversights.

Buying Advice

Value is where this tent makes its strongest case. At £129 for 920 g, with a five-year warranty and wind tunnel testing behind it, it sits in unusual territory for sub-kilogram gear. If you are searching for a one-person shelter under a kilogram without stretching your budget, this is a genuinely strong candidate.

The practical checklist before you buy is short. Confirm you are happy carrying and using two trekking poles, since the shelter depends on them. Budget for a handful of better pegs for wet ground. Practise the pitch at home so the first attempt in bad weather is not your first attempt at all. If you camp mainly in hot, dry conditions and value low weight above all else, the white fabric is far less of a concern.

Where it fits best is the long-distance walker or weekend wild camper who wants a light, compact, three-season solo shelter and is willing to accept a slower pitch in exchange for the weight saving. Those who prioritise fast, freestanding pitching or a discreet dark colour should look at other options in the MT900 range instead.

Conclusion

The Decathlon Forclaz MT900 Trekking Tarp Tent delivers exactly what it promises: 920 g, a tiny packed size, real headroom and a five-year warranty at £129. Its compromises are specific and predictable, from a white fabric that shows dirt to needle pegs that need replacing for wet ground and a pitch that rewards practice.

For trekking-pole users who want to drop below one kilogram without a large outlay, it is a cracking choice. Go in with the right expectations and a spare set of pegs, and it should serve three-season trips for years.