It provided plenty of shade and protection from bugs, making it a worthwhile investment for any avid camper or nature enthusiast. However, as much as I appreciate the design and functionality of this tent, I’ve encountered a few drawbacks. Firstly, the mesh room lacks a floor, making it less useful for keeping insects at bay. Additionally, the clips that hold the tent pieces together are dangerously stretched, leading me to worry about their longevity. While the other issues may not be as concerning, it’s the clips that have me on the fence about using this tent again. I’ve enjoyed its versatility and airy feel, but I’ll wait and see if these problems can be fixed before deciding whether to purchase it again.
We tested the Coleman 10 × 10 Instant Screened Canopy and Walmart’s Ozark Trail 10′ × 10′ Instant Screen House during our first round of testing in the winter and spring of 2016. These two shelters are the same size and shape (7-foot peak height, 17 pounds) with an almost identical design. The cap-like roofs on both models provided far less shade than we wanted, especially in the beating desert sun. The mesh walls do have a ribbon of polyester at the foot, but even carefully staked they can leave gaps at the ground; if bug protection is your main concern, these tents would likely fall short.
I loved sitting outside and eat dinner in the screen house and mess it. It seems like I am the second person to review this product, and the second one to give it a 1 Star rating. Goes together well, but as soon as we got a little shower…. Total collapse, hubs (2) shattered and two sets of poles completely destroyed. Not sure if I should order replacement parts or not, maybe I should just consider this a waste of money, and cut my losses while I can. This product from the list of stuff that I wish I never had bought it would in the top two.
Even so, you should, ideally, stake down each corner securely; in some crowded campgrounds, however, finding a flat spot with soil soft enough to do that can be difficult. A tent that requires staking to stand up—especially a larger, six-person tent—is unwieldy, and it’ll be impossible to set up on a hard surface such as blacktop or on raised wooden tent decks. To ensure the longevity of your Ozark Trail Screen House, proper maintenance is essential. Regularly clean the screens and frames, and consider applying a protective coating to the materials to shield them from the elements. It is also essential to secure the screen house properly, especially in windy conditions. Overall, the Magnetic Door Screenhouses provides a welcome respite from those annoying bugs, and the convenient setup and lightweight materials make it a worthwhile addition to any picnic setup.
If we had to spend a day in the tent during a storm, would it be comfortable? After first removing the models that failed the structural tests, we slept, watched the stars, and ate our meals in all of the tents, as well as planned hikes from them. We’re not looking at tents designed for such specialized activities as mountaineering, backpacking, or winter camping, though some of our recommendations have cross-over potential. Great for backyard overnights, this simple dome-style tent is for anyone who doesn’t want to spend more than $150 on a tent but also doesn’t want to buy another one next year. It has a partial rain fly, but only one door and no vestibule. Another potential drawback is that the mesh material is not entirely opaque, which may not be ideal for those seeking complete privacy.
The Eureka Tagalong Shelter is also a decent option but is not fully enclosed. Likewise, the Pacific Breeze Easy Up is very portable but limited in size. While the previous version of this tent used beachy-feeling aqua and orange, the current version is a drab olive green more typical of other tents.
Car campers who plan to brave miserable weather will appreciate the extra strength and protection of the REI Co-op Base Camp 4 Tent. The main bodies of our other picks are structured with two main poles with added support from smaller brow poles. The Base Camp also offers more privacy compared with our other picks—with or without the rain fly. Nevertheless, it still comfortably accommodates four people, and it’s a roomy choice for two. This no-nonsense tent is intuitive to set up, has mesh on the top halves of two walls, includes a partial rain fly that’s easy to put on and stake out, and feels cheery inside and out.
When purchasing an ozark trail canopy, there are several features to consider that can enhance your outdoor living experience. These include the size of the screen house, the materials used, and the overall design. The Ozark Trail 14X12 model is a great choice for large gatherings, but make sure it fits your desired space requirements.