Over the years, we have utilized an impressive team of experienced canopy tent users, from market vendors to beach lovers. 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.
At first glance, the setup for the Quick-Set Escap appears quite daunting. However, it became our favorite canopy to set up after conquering a slight learning curve. Despite its size, it amazingly ships completely assembled and pops into place with just a few pulls and pushes. Likewise, the Pacific Breeze Easy Up does not require additional assembly.
This metric considers each shelter’s floor space and height, as well as any design element that may limit or enhance accessibility and maneuverability. We erected each model and measured the height and floor space to compare to other tents. Typical cathedral tents offered a 10×10 floor space, whereas many of the more niche tents had varying sizes. Another key aspect of functionality is the extra convenience features provided by various models. For example, hanging loops, storage compartments, and built-in pockets make canopy use easier and more organized. Our shade-loving experts poured over hundreds of the best canopy tents available before choosing 13 for side-by-side testing.
If you want more shielding, we suggest spraying them with a special waterproofing spray that you would use on tents. 150D polyester makes up the upper fabric, and the inner structure is all steel with welded steel feet for added stability. We wouldn’t consider these to be waterproof, as there is no mention of a waterproof rating. Both the outer and inner materials coleman cooler used for these models are intended to give you great protection from mild elements. Many reviewers online have expressed that they were worried about the framework quality to be subpar, but were in fact pleasantly surprised by the great quality. Even with the plastic joints, the rest of the structure is a sturdy steel, so it’s able to remain secure.
The material also has a UVGuard, patented by Coleman, which helps to block the harmful rays of the sun. We think this is a smart addition because you’ll probably be using these to mainly get shade from the sun. We’d call this water resistant or repellent, which means they would protect from a small amount of precipitation.
Refunds are issued to the original form of payment, unless returned in store where some exclusions may apply. Our experts teamed up to develop a rigorous test plan, which we applied to every canopy tent in this review. We learn a lot about each model by testing in varying environments, including mountains, forests, lakes, beaches, and dunes. Each canopy was set up and broken down repeatedly to assess its ease of use and craftsmanship, separating the well-designed from the failure-prone or confusing models. Methodically, we used each tent in its intended environment — plus some unintended ones — to see just how much use we could get out of them. From whipping wind to sweltering sun to relentless rain, we set up these canopy tents across multiple weather scenarios to test them in the worst and best elements.
The frame weighs 47 lbs which is on the heavy side for a 10×10 frame, but it demonstrates the quality of the materials and steel that Coleman used in the manufacturing process. We found the one-piece steel frame and comfort grips lock system make setup a breeze, with no complicated procedures or additional tools required. The new model ships with a central locking hub system which makes setup even easier than the old corner locking system.
We selected products best suited for farmer’s markets, corporate gigs, and beaches. We also chose canopies optimized for camping, spectator sports, and adventure. From there, we tested each product for several months in Utah and California, subjecting them to sun, wind, and rain. All the while, we assessed key performance metrics such as functionality, ease of setup, protection, craftsmanship, and portability. We hope you can use this comprehensive and unbiased review to help you find all the shade-seeking advice you need to make the best purchasing decision. A quick and easy setup doesn’t have to come with a tradeoff in quality, and there is plenty more than just the roof vents making this a stable shelter.
This basic, 10×10 cathedral tent blocks the sun almost as well as more expensive models, and it is sturdy enough to handle the wallops that come along with average outdoor adventures. This model is much lighter than its beefier peers, but it still incorporates a steel frame that is sturdy enough to handle a few moderate wind gusts. We found the Caravan perfect for trips to the lake, activities in the park, or backyard barbeques, ideally in calmer weather. However, a little extra care is key if you want your Caravan to last. The Caravan V-Series scores a bit lower and also isn’t as beefy as more expensive models, but feels roomy and is easy to move around thanks to a lower weight. All three of these cathedral-style models offer three height settings.
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. The 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.