A lower roof makes this shelter feel notably smaller than our top pick, but it’s also durably made and ready to pair with a superior rain fly (sold separately). Overall, we think the Ozark Trail canopy serves its intended purpose – a value brand 10×10 instant shelter that caters to price conscious consumers looking for an affordable shade option. And compared to some of the tents in the EZ-Up lineup, it sells for almost a 70% discount. One could, in theory, purchase a new Ozark canopy every year (which they might need to!) and still come out ahead over the years vs. purchasing a more expensive alternative. There doesn’t seem to be any information on the thickness level of the polyester, but this Ozark Trail Canopy model does have a 50+ UV protection rating. This is very important for gazebos, considering their principal purpose is to shield from the sun.
Four included walls have mesh panels with curtains and one of the two end walls rolls up for easy access under the canopy. The canopy folds down to 48.75″ in length and easily fits into the sleeve bag with a pocket for the walls, stakes and guy ropes. The Ozark Trail Commercial Canopy is packed with the features that you need. The frame is powder coated aluminum and steel with push button locking on the frame and height adjustments.
Most new tents incorporate this ventilated canopy design to increase airflow and reduce the trapping of hot air, helping to keep those in the shade cooler and more comfortable. The canopy tent has mesh walls on all four sides and an edge of polyester fabric (also DWR treated) at the ground that deters mosquitos and other critters from invading from below. Like many tents of this type, the REI Screen House Shelter has a fabric hook in the center of the ceiling that accommodates a small lantern or other light.
The frame is that of a pyramid structure, which are generally found in all value brand canopy tents as they require less material to manufacture vs. that of a full truss system and as a result can keep the price lower. Fellow campers and sun-baked spectators consistently gravitated toward the REI shelter over the L.L.Bean. Though the two tents have the same footprint, the REI’s roof is 6 inches taller; we found that ozark trail chair the higher ceiling made the REI shelter feel significantly roomier inside. In our tests one camper took less than 10 minutes to put it up on the first try. Two shorter aluminum poles cross to support the roof while four longer poles join to the roof poles at the top of the tent and slide into pegs at the ground. The tent roof is made of polyester taffeta treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating.
You will be charged a restocking fee of 20% (minimum $50 or $100 for pallets) of the sale price of the item(s) plus taxes. As well as plenty of room on the ground, the height is tall and allows even the tallest in your family or friends to stand up everywhere, not just at the peak. The feet areas of the legs are also something to mention, as they are shaped like pads instead of a simple pole. It’s not super heavy because of the soft top, and that also seems to be a main reason for why its price is so reasonable. Based on the high brand reputation and the overall quality of materials, this looks like a trustworthy choice. It’s typically used by families, couples, or groups of friends going to outdoor events, but we can see it being used for more commercial purposes.
From a negative perspective, the weight is indicative of a lack of high quality material and components used throughout the shelter. The included carrying bag does not have wheels to aid in transportation, but at only 29 lbs. We don’t find that to be a noteworthy drawback as the nylon handles and shoulder strap work just fine in carrying the tent. The legs are locked into place with old school metal push button locks, something you won’t see on many modern pop up tents now-a-days.
The heavy 400D polyester top provides 99% UV protection and is water and fire resistant. There are 4 walls included and one of the walls has a zipper in the center for easy access under the canopy. The canopy folds down to 52.5″ in length and easily fits into the roller bag with all of the accessories. The weight of this Ozark Trail is lighter than most of the same size alternative steel frame canopy tents, coming in right about 29 lbs. From a positive perspective, the lightweight design increases portability which is certainly important in carrying the tent to its intended location.
Our favorite canopy tent is a simply designed, comfortable shelter that offers protection from bugs, sun, and rain. With the massive influx of instant canopies taking over the market, it can be hard to find one that lives up to its claims. For a day at the beach, sunny picnic party, or other outdoor event, you want something that’s going to protect from the harsh rays of the sun, but is still easy enough to transport and assemble on site. ozark trail chair During the winter and early spring of 2017, we added four more canopy tents to our testing lineup. In addition to the models from REI and L.L.Bean, which became our new top picks, we tested the Coleman 15 × 13 Instant Screenhouse and the Wenzel Sun Valley Screen House. Like the REI and L.L.Bean canopy shelters, this Clam tent has a generous fabric skirt at its base that is designed to keep determined insects—and pooling rainwater—out.
It’s also enough room to put a standard table, some picnic chairs, and a cooler or two. We appreciate that the frame has been made of tough steel, as this ensures that it will stay stable throughout moderate winds. With the help of the provided stakes and guy ropes, you can stake it down, so it remains secure.
Since 2015, I’ve tested camping shelters and large car-camping tents on weekend trips involving more than a dozen families, and I have talked to dozens more about their tent travails. Over the years, I have evaluated gear for magazines including Wired, Popular Science, and National Geographic Adventure, where I was a senior editor. This canopy gives 64 sq ft of coverage with an SPF of 50+ and features an easy-up design with telescoping legs, so it can be set up in just a matter of minutes. Plus it includes stakes, guide ropes, and a wheeled bag for easy transportation and storage. For those extra scorching hot days, the peak roof vent creates additional ventilation. It also helps to prevent it from easily blowing away, seeing as the wind doesn’t get caught on the large volume of fabric.