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 than six feet, making it difficult to fit into an average-sized car. But if you’ve got a big enough rig, this is a dream canopy tent to add to your campsite.
Our favorite of the eight canopy tents we tested, the REI Co-op Screen House Shelter ticks all those boxes. However, it isn’t meant as a place to sleep; for that you should choose a regular car-camping tent. The ozark trail canopy is 13 feet long and nine feet wide, with a standing space that tops out at seven feet high. The tent fabric roof provides shade for 46 square feet of the room.
Despite the one inconvenience I experienced, I found it to be a great all-around product that has become a staple in my camping gear. Despite the fact that the tarp is designed to keep critters out, I personally found it to be useful more as a protective shield against the sun, wind, and rain. It was great to have the shark-mouthed duffel included as it made it easy to store and transport the tarp when I wasn’t using it. Additionally, setting it up was a breeze — the one pole, along with the stakes and guy-lines, made the process both quick and easy.
One of the first things I noticed when I started setting it up was how sturdy and well-built the tarp was. I was impressed by the 12.0 lb packed weight, which, as it turns out, is a good thing since the tarp can easily withstand some heavy wind. However, I did experience some challenges with the tent setup. It took longer than I expected, and I even saw a few complaints in other reviews about stitching issues and water resistance. But overall, the pros outweigh the cons, especially considering the affordable price and the tent’s spacious capacity.
My experience with Ozark Trail equipment has been to reinforce the old adage “you get what you pay for”. I highly recommend that anyone looking for a good screen house spend the additional money and get a Swiss Gear. Don’t try to save a few dollars and end up with a POS like this one. Broke all four corner hubs and bent all 1b poles beyond repair.
When I got the thing home and deboxed it, the reality began to set in. Dozens of two-foot sections of pipe spilled onto the floor with stickers labeling them ‘1B’, ‘4’, or ‘2B’. Childhood memories of failures with Tinker Toys came flooding back.
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 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. It doesn’t leak during rainstorms and is rock solid in the wind. 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 to keep creepy crawlers and flying annoyances at bay.
The canopy material is adequate but less rugged, and rainwater tends to drip through during a substantial downpour. The wheels on the roller bag are mostly cosmetic, as they are very ineffective on most terrains. That said, if you don’t expect to use your tent in rugged environments, this is a solid option for a nice big canopy tent at a bargain price. Additionally, the Ozark Trail Screen House 14X12 is designed with convenience in mind. Its lightweight construction and compact design make it portable and easy to store when not in use. This versatility allows you to enjoy your outdoor living space at various locations, such as a campsite, a backyard, or even a beach house.
We set up the REI Screen House Shelter and L.L.Bean’s Woodlands Screen House side by side in the Mojave Desert in 100-degree temps. Fellow campers consistently gravitated toward the ozark trail canopy REI shelter over the L.L.Bean. Find something simple to set up, reliable, durable and with product support. This model has been discontinued and I only need two parts to fix it.
Another advantage of the Ozark Trail Screen House 14X12 is its durability. Constructed from high-quality materials, this screen house can withstand various weather conditions, including strong winds and heavy rain. Its powder-coated steel frame adds to its longevity, ensuring that your investment will last for many years to come.