Likewise, the Pacific Breeze Easy Up does not require additional assembly. It springs into place with just the pull of a single chord, similar to opening an umbrella but in reverse. The simplicity of this design makes it easy for one person to produce an instant sunshade in seconds. Simply fill the four attached anchor bags with sand or smooth rocks, stretch the canopy into an X-shape, and prop it up with the provided tent poles.
That’s why we employ a team of engineers who design and battle-test our products to perfect. The Eureka Tagalong scored a little lower but still holds its own in terms of craftsmanship. It is a lighter-weight product, which inherently involves thinner, less durable materials. When we compared the Taglong to beefier models, we had to score lower for this reason.
Its heavy steel frame and massive metal stakes easily hold this shelter steady, even during wind gusts, and glaring sun and rain are also no threat. Our shade-loving experts poured over hundreds of the best canopy tents available before choosing 14 for side-by-side testing. We selected products best suited for farmer’s markets, corporate gigs, and beaches. We also chose canopies optimized for camping, spectator sports, and adventure. From there, we tested each product for several months in Utah and California, subjecting them to sun, wind, and rain.
The easily recognizable logo has been seen by nearly everyone at youth soccer tournaments or beach vacations in recent years. Slant leg canopy tents are cheaper than straight leg tents because they use less material. Aluminum tent legs not only have a larger leg diameter (1” for steel vs. 2” for aluminum) but the thickness (or gauge) of aluminum is twice that of steel. Slant leg canopies use less material and have less structural integrity than straight leg canopies.
We learn a lot about each model by testing in varying environments, including mountains, forests, lakes, beaches, and dunes. Each canopy was set up and broken down repeatedly to assess its ease of use and craftsmanship, separating the well-designed from the failure-prone or confusing models. Methodically, we used each tent in its intended environment — plus some unintended ones — to see just how much use we could get out of them. From whipping wind to sweltering sun to relentless rain, we set up these canopy tents across multiple weather scenarios to test them in the worst and best elements. We even carried or rolled each tent 100 feet to see how much suffering it took to move them from point A to point B. We also hosed the tents down to see if the material was water-resistant and strong enough for an afternoon thunderstorm.
You can get the same canopy in red or white, but for the full price. Digging our toes in the sand under one of the best full-overhead coverage beach tents on the market. We also really liked the Neso 1, although it isn’t as sturdy, especially in the wind. We also recommend the Pacific Breeze Easy Up or the REI Co-op Screen House Shelter.
If your budget is tight, the Pacific Breeze Easy Up is an inexpensive beach canopy that provides the essentials for a quick, hassle-free setup but may not be built to endure many summers of use. If you can spend a bit more and want a more traditional cathedral shape, the Caravan V-Series is a good choice. We are also very impressed with the overall value the Coleman ozark trail backpack 10×10 Sun Shelter brings to the table. Still, we feel its price point is nearly perfect considering its quality and performance, specifically its extra features and beefier design. These tents can quickly become pricey, so focusing on quality versus cost is a great idea. Typically, the lower-priced options in this category will work for the short term.