This shelter employs high-grade, collapsible aluminum poles for its frame and comes complete with built-in guy lines and sandbags to help keep it sturdy. The polyester canopy effectively dampens the sun’s rays and is double-stitched and weather taped to keep out the rain. Our notes on this shelter are mostly positive — there isn’t much we don’t like about the Escape. In addition to costing you a few extra clams, this product doesn’t pack up very small. When stowed in its carrying case, it could easily be confused with a winter travel bag carrying snow skis. Its packed size is more the 6 feet, making it difficult to fit into an average-sized car.
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. This side wall is made with UV Guard™ material that provides coleman chair UPF 50+ sun protection and shields your guests from wind and rain. The pinch-free adjustability ensures convenience without compromising safety during assembly when choosing between one of the height options.
All of these models are thinner, fold-down styles that weigh far less than the larger canopies on our list. Some, like the Tagalong, are lighter because of the high-end materials used in their construction. Others, like the Sun Ninja, are lighter because they employ less expensive materials. So it is important to distinguish that not all lightweight and portable products are also high quality. The Tagalong and Caravan V-Series scored slightly lower than our top scorers, but they still have straightforward setup processes. Setup for both is simple; however, they scored lower because of additional variants that affect the overall ease of the process.
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. If you can spend a bit more and want a more traditional cathedral shape, the Caravan V-Series is a good choice.
Established in 2003, Anchor Express is a leading online retailer of consumer and commercial
marine electronics, boating supplies, GPS, and outdoor products. Benzene has been used in the manufacturing of this product to meet CPAI-84 fabric fire retardant standards for the tent and canopy industries. Because the canopy is made from an outdoor fabric, it will experience deterioration if not cared for properly. Also, varying regions experience different climate conditions that may contribute to a shorter lifespan of the replacement canopy. Akin to the Clam Quick-Set Escape is the REI Co-op Screen House Shelter. The Screen House is far more portable but less rugged than the Clam, and it also offers a fully enclosed system that keeps bugs at bay.
These caveats aside, this is still our number one when heading out to the playing field. If you’d rather have your shelter geared more toward camping, we’ve also reviewed the best camping tents and top backpacking tents on the market. Likewise, if you need a comfortable seat, coleman chair place to prep your food, or the best cooler, we’ve got you covered. We’ve also tested the best fire pits for your outdoor patio or backyard. No matter what gear you’re in the market for, chances are we’ve got info informed by years of rigorous side-by-side testing.
It makes easy work blocking the sun, stands firm in the wind, and is impervious to rainwater. It’s a perfect shelter for any outdoor activity, but we feel it excels in settings that include commerce, command posts, campgrounds, and outdoor sports. The lightweight, portable designs of OASIS™ Lite canopies—are perfect for kicking back at the campsite or tossing the frisbee in the park. The OASIS Lite 10′ x 10′ Canopy sets up easily using a one-push center hub with OnePeak™ technology for wherever the adventure takes you. Get to the fun faster with the Coleman Instant Canopy with Swing Wall.
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.