We also hosed the tents down to see if the material was water-resistant and strong enough for an afternoon thunderstorm. The results of the unbiased and exhaustive review are presented here. 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 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.
All three of these cathedral-style models offer three height settings. On hot, sunny days, we don’t think we could remain inside the Easy Up for long periods. Even with the drapes stowed, there is less ventilation than in larger, open canopies. ozark trail chair And, despite effectively blocking the sun’s rays, this shader tends to remain quite warm, much like a backpacking tent would when it’s left in the sun all day. It also doesn’t perform well in the rain, primarily because of its open design.
We wanted to sleep there for the night but ATV’s literally drive right through the stream and campground. Rather than deal with the potential buzz of people for the night, we pushed on to another camp spot 1.5 miles up. The tent sites that are waypointed on FarOut all seem to have a fire ring and chairs made out of flat rocks circling. There is space for 2-3 tents here, so we chose the flattest spot with the least amount of poison ivy to set up our tent. All things considered, the REI Screen House Shelter is our favorite portable model.
The most popular product in their line is the 10×10 Instant Slant Leg Tent with a blue canopy top. It is made with a steel construction frame and polyester material for the canopy, which is in line with just about every shade tent on the market today. The Caravan V-Series scores a bit lower and isn’t as beefy as more expensive models, but it feels roomy and is easy to move around thanks to a lower weight.
The legs extend to give the top peak a height of about 8’10” which will be plenty of headroom for anyone underneath. Our lower scorers in this metric generally received lower scores because of their weight and size. However, it’s important to note that some canopies are not as portable because they’re constructed of higher-quality, heavier, and thicker materials. Canopies in this category are the Eurmax, Quick-Set Escape, E-Z UP Pyramid, Caddis Rapid Shelter, and Caravan Canopy V-Series. The Eurmax and E-Z Up both received lower portability scores because they are heavy and more difficult to lift from the car to the ground. Likewise, they are larger and more difficult to fit into a smaller vehicle.
The included carrying bag does not have wheels to aid in transportation, but at only 29 lbs. We don’t find that to be a noteworthy drawback as the nylon handles and shoulder strap work just fine in carrying the tent. As its name suggests, the Eureka Tagalong Shelter is ideal for tagging along on any adventure where shade is needed. Its drawstring stuff sack offers a long strap that can be placed over one shoulder or across the chest, giving you hands-free mobility.
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. We looked for features like double-stitched seams, weather taping, steel, robust fabrics, and fewer moving parts. The Eureka Tagalong is lightweight with stellar components, so if you want to be a bit more mobile with your canopy, this is one of our favorites. And if you can step into the next price bracket, the Eurmax Standard 10×10 is hands-down our top choice. The added cost will buy you stronger materials and a structure that you won’t have to worry about falling apart for many years to come — if at all.
If they’re standing straight up, you can place something on top (let’s say another deck of cards), and it will continue to stand up, despite there being no physical connection point. Leader Accessories is one of the highest-rated pop-up shelters on the market, but is it the right one for you?
It sits lower than cathedral-style canopies, which more effectively blocks the sun’s rays as their angles change during the day. Its weather-taped seams and waterproof canopy also 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. 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.
It is a literal house built into the side of the mountain, using the natural rock features to create the roof and enclosing it with hand carved bricks. Mark told us that his neighbor’s grandfather built the structure years ago. Apparently with the neighbor was a kid, his family would come out here for 2 weeks at a time in the summer, to live off the land. They would make fruit preserves from the wild strawberries and blackberries found in the area. This is our last water source till Fane Creek which will be our home for the night. Usually at this point in the day at home, I am tired and want to rest.