Realistically, how likely am I to end up folded into an origami crane?

[SparkyUK]

You may have heard me whining talking on here about how I want a Quechua pop-up tent, for weekends and overnights but my DH thinks it is overkill. Even my DS, age 3 said, when I snuck off with him to Decthlon earlier this week, "But mum, we already have a tent??"

I've been able to convince DS, but DH is proving a hard nut to crack. Part of my logic is that I want something I can handle myself. Our other tent is wonderful and I really really love it, but I can just barely lift it. I'd never be able to pitch it (or more important, take it town) single handedly. DH points out that i can't fold up the small baby beach tent that we have. But I'm hoping the Quechua is better designed so I wouldn't have the same issues.

What do you all think? Could I someone who is actually quite good a diy and technical and practical things, just have a massive blind spot of pop-up tents learn to fold one of the Family Seconds? And realistically, how long does it take you to pack away yours?

I love mine! It is just big enough for a double airbed and I used to zip around on my scooter with it on my back! Looked like a demented turtle!! It takes a little bit of practice, but get the nice lad in the shop to show you how to pack it up. I can do mine in under a minute.

I can do mine in about three minutes (always forget at least one zip!). We have the 4.2. DH was very disapproving of it, but we had to use it this week as our car broke down the morning we were due to set off so we have come away in a Punto! Usually have a MPV. He is now fully converted & loves it, is bending towards a pop up Quechua gazebo too!

There is a sale on at decathlon, the 4.2 was £129 the other day if you can get one.

I have the 4.1 and love it. it is tricky to fold at first and easier with help but i can and do fold it by myself and along with tying the guylines and unpegging it it takes around 10 minutes.

There are videos to watch on the decathlon website and the tent staff will show you if you ask. I found the staff showing me really helpful as I was standing right next to him watching.

Go for it I dont think you would be disappointed.

We have the 4.2xl and can pack it away pretty easily. I've watched the YouTube videos hundreds of times once or twice and they really do help. It's so satisfying when it does fold, so straightforward. We've got a mini pop up for ds1 too, just have to get the knack and then you are away.

We had a pop up play tent thing that never popped back together, not once! I think the tents are so far superior thatbthey just work better....

Haven't camped in the 4.2xl yet though, planning for later this week hopefully. I'm planning to pitch alone with the help of the dses and dh will come later and help fold as you need some strength to hold it down while the other folds.

laughing at DoyouThink saying you need some strength to hold it down while folding -- DH has been worring about DS2, aged 1.5, being catapulted across the campsite :)

Anyway, thanks to the Olympics and extended Sunday hours we were able to go to Decathlon today and bought the 4.1. I am really really happy with it and it will complement our other tent perfectly. We didn't get a chance to pop it up tonight, but tomorrow night we will start practicing. I'm going to be a Seconds tent ninja before the end of the week!

It's not bad to fold I got a demo in the shop forgot to watch video before going away and managed to fold it on my 2nd try. The guy in the shop said the pictures made no sense but I thought they helped, it is a bit tricky on your own but totally do-able.

Watch when you take it out the bag dd 15m got such a fright with the pop she refused to come in it for hours!!