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.
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.
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.
Also, varying regions experience different climate conditions that may contribute to a shorter lifespan of the replacement canopy. All things considered, the REI Screen House Shelter is our favorite portable model. This massive, 10×10 fully enclosed canopy packs down small and only weighs 13 pounds. It’s the ultimate mosquito net that is also lightweight and compact enough to hitch a ride on any adventure trip. The Pacific Breeze Easy Up didn’t score as highly here, but we were impressed with its ability to handle the wind. Its stiff frame doesn’t bend or sway during heavy breezes, and it stays put as long as it’s staked down or weighted by its five built-in sandbags.
It also is quite sturdy and resists wind well if it is staked down. Five large weight bags attach and can be filled with sand to keep everything in place. Overall, this is a fun beach coleman lantern 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.
However, once on the ground, their roller bags make it extremely easy to pull them over concrete, dirt, and grass. 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. This metric considers each shelter’s floor space and height, as well as any design element that may limit or enhance accessibility and maneuverability.
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.