The Force Ten tents can be tried in the outdoors by renting from demo centres

Outdoor enthusiasts are being offered the chance to try out a leading brand’s tents before they commit to buying them.

Force Ten has set up a network of demo centres where its products can be rented and tested in the outdoors for a weekend.

The rent can be cashed in against the purchase price if they decide to go ahead and buy.

The Scottish brand, part of the SMG group that also owns the Vango brand, has worked with retailers across the UK and Ireland to set up the tent demo centres. It said its scheme was unique to Force Ten.

Marketing manager Rob Birrell said: “We know that buying a tent can be a serious investment and often reviews and recommendations aren’t enough to go on, so we wanted to give our customers the opportunity to test our tents before committing to the one that’s perfect for them.

“We hope that consumers old and new will take advantage of this programme, and be able to experience first-hand how our latest models perform. Our collection has grown as we strive to make the most functional and durable products for our end users, so we’re confident there is the perfect model for our customers outdoor experiences.”

There are currently 12 shops signed up the scheme.

Rental fees are about eight to 12 per cent of the full price and the Force Ten range includes 14 models including lightweight, trekking, expedition and Alpine tents.

Details of the scheme are on the Force Ten website.