Decathlon, the people's gear

There is a sports store called Decathlon. My kids call it “the blue store”. Maybe you’ve heard of it. If you have a family or even just a pair of feet, you should go there. It is not for gold medalists. Or for Everest climbers. But it’s for the rest of us – the folks who want to move, to play and try something new without emptying the bank.

Decathlon makes “good enough” sports gear. The kind you grab when you are not trying to hit records, or just break a sweat. What they offer is designed and tested in house. Proven materials, solid construction with minimal waste, built to withstand rowdy kids. Personally, I’ve seen Decathlon products survive multiple accidents. Can’t say the same for shinier brands that cost multiple more.

A few Decathlon products I used over the years:

• Trail running waterproof jacket. It is super light, looks good, and will let you go through storms in trail runs. Yes, it not as breathable as a running jacket from a big brand, but it is also 4 times cheaper!
• Decathlon bushcraft stainless steel bottle. Would survive an apocalypse!
• Microfibre Towel. Packs to a super small size. I use it for kids’ swimming pool lessons, water sports, boating, travel. And only costs $12. Isn’t it the best investment ever?
• Merino wool 900 base layer top and bottom. Looks good. Can be itchy but cheaper and warmer than Smartwool’s

Having fun with kids with Decathlon Snow Sled

All these don’t promise you will conquer the world. They promise you will have what you need to start and stick with a sport. And for most people, that’s what they really need.

Decathlon products are also at a fraction of the price of Patagonia, Mammut and other multinational brands. This is great for frugal living and sustainable consumption. Yes, the products are not built locally but in far-away factories, but they do not use PFAS or harmful chemicals, unlike the fancy Arc’teryx Gore-tex jacket you’ve been eyeing.

It is OK to chase after performance. I do it in software. In sports, investing in a few costly items will give you a boost. You can go buy a $10k bike if you are after a Triathlon medal. Most of the times though, we just want to have fun, chase after the kids, and perhaps become the better version of ourselves that’s a little bit more active. For those times, Decathlon is the common sense choice that might bring you a medal from the kids later on.