It is a lighter-weight product, which inherently involves thinner, less durable materials. Over the years, we have utilized an impressive team of experienced canopy tent users, from market vendors to beach lovers. Jason is a native of Utah and seeks time in the outdoors every week. He spends time playing at local lakes, dunes, and campgrounds, where he routinely uses canopies for shade. He also is no stranger to the sideline, where he enjoys sitting under a canopy to watch family members play youth sports. Jason is also an avid car camper, hiker, and backpacker and has extensive knowledge of general outdoor gear.
However, overall, we think the Tagalong is still suitable for the adventurous type who likes to be on the go and doesn’t want to lug a heavy canopy. Fully enclosed and ready to protect you from sun, wind, rain, AND bugs, the Clam Outdoors Quick-Set Escape is a perfect shelter for the campground. No assembly is required; this shelter is ready to go right out of the box and can be fully deployed in less than a minute. We do admit there is a small learning curve to setting up the Escape, but once you’re locked in, popping this canopy into place is really fun and even somewhat addictive. The massive screened walls keep insects where they belong — away from you. This shelter is also fully surrounded by a 10-inch-wide ground skirt which goes the extra mile at keeping creepy crawlers and flying annoyances at bay.
This is primarily due to their larger packed sizes, which makes them slightly more difficult to carry and store. The Qipi, in particular, has a much longer packed size and, at nearly 10 pounds, it’s heavier than the others mentioned above. The Easy Up is actually the lightest in our list of top scorers, but it has a longer packed size, which affected its overall score. Add extra weather protection to your sun shelter with the Coleman Sunwall for a 10′ x 10′ Canopy Sun Shelter Tent.
These tents can quickly become pricey, so focusing on quality versus cost is a great idea. Typically, the lower-priced options in this category will work for the short term. They usually weigh less, which is handy when lugging them around, but it generally means they are not as durable in inclement weather. The higher-priced models often weigh more or offer better construction technology. Increased weight is generally the result of more durable and stable materials like steel and higher-denier tent canopies.
In fact, one of our testers easily solo-deployed it on several occasions. Top-grade canopy textiles, quick-release tabs, reinforced trusses, and a beefy steel frame allow the Eurmax to tower over other models we tested. It makes easy work blocking the sun, stands firm in the wind, and is impervious to rainwater.
Overall, this is a fun beach accessory that is great for guarding gear and valuables and offering periodic shelter from the sun. The E-Z Up Pyramid is our favorite canopy for outdoor-sports enthusiasts. From youth football and soccer fields to motocross tracks and cross-country meets, this canopy fits the bill. If you spend a lot of time on the sidelines, we think the E-Z Up is the perfect way to catch some shade while you cheer on your athlete or team. At the forefront of features, this canopy has a roller bag with large, wide-set wheels so one person can easily pull this beast across gravel, dirt, or grass. The E-Z Up also has a simple setup and can even be deployed solo, depending on age and strength.
Heavier cathedral-style canopy tents can often be challenging because of their weight; however, most are fairly simple to deploy. The Eurmax and E-Z Up are counted among these heavier tents, but setting them up was surprisingly straightforward. For retail purchases returned with a receipt, please return coleman cooler the unused and unopened item, with the
original sales receipt, for a full refund or exchange. All returns with a gift receipt will receive a store
credit for the amount of the item at the time of purchase. The Eureka Tagalong scored a little lower but still holds its own in terms of craftsmanship.
While we recommend a minimum of two people to set up most shelters, the ease of this process can vary drastically depending on the design and quality of materials. While being timed, we set up and took down each product a minimum of 10 times. We also noted special features, like quick-release levers, that make setup easier.
It springs into place with just the pull of a single chord, similar to opening an umbrella but in reverse. This makes it simple for one person to produce an instant sunshade in seconds. Simply fill the four attached anchor bags with sand or smooth rocks, stretch the canopy into an X-shape, and prop it up with the provided tent poles. We found this setup process easy because it didn’t require a lot of moving parts or analytical thinking.