We looked for features like double-stitched seams, weather taping, steel, robust fabrics, and fewer moving parts. After weeks of testing, we have thrown a few penalty flags on the field. This product’s excellent wheel system is mostly made of plastic, and we wish it were constructed primarily of metal. Additionally, it packs up large and is heavy, making it difficult to find room for it in the trunk of just any car. It’s also more challenging to lift into and out of a vehicle alone, and although quite solid, the E-Z Up can be a little wobbly at full height. These caveats aside, this is still our number one when heading out to the playing field.
Our second grading metric involves how fast and easy it is to set up and take down each shelter, but it also considers how simple and intuitive both processes are. 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 coleman canopy 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. As its name suggests, the Eureka Tagalong Shelter is ideal for tagging along on any adventure where shade is needed.
The Pacific Breeze Easy Up is a beach tent with a half-dome design and enough space to shade one or two adults. Its one-pull setup requires more muscle than we anticipated, but overall it is hassle-free and takes only seconds to erect. At 5.4 pounds, it’s the lightest canopy in our lineup, making it very portable. We like the built-in sidewall pockets, attached floor, and roll-away side drapes. However, we feel the tarp-style floor stays a little hot in the sun, and it tends to collect dirt, sand, and water. The Easy Up is a self-contained product with no assembly required, making it easy to set up, take down, and store in your garage, coat closet, or car trunk.
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. Its fully enclosed design protects users from sun, wind, rain, and bugs, making this a perfect shelter for camping.
Likewise, the Pacific Breeze Easy Up does not require additional assembly. It springs into place with just the pull of a single chord, coleman canopy 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. The coleman chairs included stakes are very short, thin, and somewhat ineffective; we recommend purchasing larger, thicker stakes for your Caravan V-Series. The canopy material is adequate but less rugged, and rainwater tends to drip through during a substantial downpour.
Put the full-length swing wall up like an awning for another 60 sq. Ft. (14.86 sq. m) of overhead shade or use it as a wall to block the sun, wind or rain. The welded steel feet are big enough to stand on while you set up the shelter and keep the shelter stable on concrete and asphalt. Once it’s up, the canopy and swing wall’s UVGuard™ material offers UPF 50+ protection from the sun’s dangerous rays, and a vented roof releases heat so everyone stays comfortable. When it’s time to pack up, the compact one-piece frame folds down quickly and fits inside most cars.
For retail purchases returned with a receipt, please return 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.
Additionally, its weather-taped seams and waterproof canopy create an excellent barrier against rain. As for the Caravan V-Series, we feel it provides excellent coverage from the sun. However, its thinner frame rocks a bit during wind gusts, and it doesn’t have weather-taped seams, so it tends to leak a little during heavier rain storms.