It offers impeccable craftsmanship and is even graded as “Entry Commercial” by the manufacturer. This canopy’s stitching and heavy-wear stress points are reinforced. Additionally, its 600-denier canopy fabric is the thickest we’ve seen. Likewise, the roller bag is made from commercial-grade components and fabrics, and the frame is thicker and heavier than other canopies.
The add-on fly for our runner-up pick, the L.L.Bean Woodlands Screen House, offers four-walled protection, though it’s also more than twice as expensive. 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). One mad idea often begets another, and that is how this $34.95 purchase came about.
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 REI Co-op Screen House Shelter is easy to set up and pleasant to use, providing good protection from bugs, sun, and gentle rain showers.
We eliminated canopies that were not big enough to comfortably shelter a picnic table, concluding that a table is probably the number-one spot where campers would place such a structure. We also eliminated bulky, heavy shelters that are intended to be used as semipermanent backyard fixtures. Compared with our top day-tent pick, the L.L.Bean Woodlands Screen House uses arguably superior materials; it also comes with an unsurpassed warranty.
One thing to note was that although the footprint is 13×9 ft, the actual covered area is not the same, being quite a bit smaller. The Ozark Trail Screen House does its job but needs to be used with the proper expectations. An ideal situation would be when the weather is agreeable and the wind is gentle. While the screen house performed well, there were a couple of minor drawbacks. The zipper opening could have been a bit taller for taller individuals, and the frame felt a bit less sturdy than some other high-end options on the market.
As I’ve mentioned elsewhere in the blog, I’m getting married in Joshua Tree on August 2nd, outdoors. It occurred to me that if I insist on inviting people into a blazing Mojave inferno in the height of the summer it would be polite to provide some shade. Shade can be a matter of survival there if you’re outside at midday.
This doesn’t affect the functionality, but the brighter colors were something we previously praised. We set up the REI Screen House Shelter and L.L.Bean’s Woodlands Screen House side by side in the Mojave Desert in 100-degree temps. Fellow campers consistently gravitated ozark trail canopy toward the REI shelter over the L.L.Bean. After a pretty bad storm at the beach, a few of the poles broke…so we are moving onto the next new one and selling the first for parts. The screening and roof are all in excellent condition, along with all the poles, etc.
My experience with Ozark Trail equipment has been to reinforce the old adage “you get what you pay for”. I highly recommend that anyone looking for a good screen house spend the additional money and get a Swiss Gear. Don’t try to save a few dollars and end up with a POS like this one. Find the best hiking/camping product for your next outdoor adventure using our independent reviews and ratings. Choose your vessel and dive into the crystal-clear Missouri waters for the aquatic adventure of a lifetime.