Pop up canopy recs

[William_Cannon 86]

Looking for something that’s easy to set up/take down, doesn’t weigh a ton, but not disposable either? Will use at lake and parks.

[Jerry Callo 8703]

Looking for something that’s easy to set up/take down, doesn’t weigh a ton, but not disposable either? Will use at lake and parks.

I highly recommend Coleman. Easy to put up and take down.

[dingleberryswitzer 2724]

They all suck shit and are a pain in the ass and heavy.  They start to rust the second the legs touch water. You have to dig the legs into the sand at the beach .  Every year I see a busted canopy in the dumpster at the beach, including one that was ours.

That being said they are nice.  

Honestly if it is just you or maybe two people we've had good experiences with the umbrellas.  Easier, lighter, tougher, but also smaller.

[dingleberryswitzer 2724]

I should add, the normal $50 one we got at academy is heavy but  easy to set up if you have 3 people to pull at each corner.  It's a Pain in the ass for two people and almost impossible for one person.

 

[Jerry Callo 8703]

Pro tip:  find a golf bag pull cart at a garage sale for $5.  Easiest way to transport the popup.  

[hornbri 1399]

I have several of the E-Z up brand ones, 10X10 with the straight (not angled) legs. 

Have used them for many years for tailgating, back yard parties etc and never had a problem with them. They also come with a bag with wheels for easy transport. 

With two people they are a snap to put up and take down. You can do with one person but it is a bit more challenging. 

[BearSchlong 8098]

I'm a baller, just sprung for the 12x12 angled leg version at Academy for $69.99.  I'm sure it'll be a bitch to get up straight out of the box, but I'll get the hang of it.

Also bought 4 home depot 5 gallon paint buckets which I will fill with water and tie to each corner in the event of high wind, because beach sand laughs at tent stakes.

[kevwun 15790]

I have yet to see one that will survive more than a couple trips to the beach.  Even if you have it anchored down well, at some point a gust of wind comes a long that will destroy them.  They are still probably worth the hassle though.  It's nice to be able to get out of the sun.

Edited May 19, 2020 by kevwun

[RoundRobin 828]

Anyone use something like this?

[Chewbacca 7780]

17 hours ago, William_Cannon said:

 

Looking for something that’s easy to set up/take down, doesn’t weigh a ton, but not disposable either? Will use at lake and parks.

 

You can have one or the other, but not both.  An EZ Up will hold up well to wind and the elements but it's heavy as hell.  A canopy without the internal bracing that something like an EZ Up has will destroy itself in the first strong windstorm it encounters.

[davidg 4038]

We have a Z-Shade Venture 10x10 that I got at Academy 7 or 8 years ago. It’s expensive ($120) and heavy (~50lbs) but much more rugged than any of the ones we previously had. Will buy another just like when this one finally dies.


We also have one of those sports umbrellas posted above. They work good for two people in chairs but if the wind gets up you have to stake it down well or it will get away from you.

[Zepol87 9188]

We use a Z-shade for tailgates. I highly recommend. 

[luke duke 6413]

Search ABCCANOPY on Amazon.

[4th&Five 41557]

22 hours ago, RoundRobin said:

Anyone use something like this?

we have this one.  great for the beach.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J955GXS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Hate 20108]

Anyone use something like this?

We’ve used those at the beach. They work great. They even have a couple of “windows” to help create a breeze.

[tokamak 6431]

16 hours ago, davidg said:

We have a Z-Shade Venture 10x10 that I got at Academy 7 or 8 years ago. It’s expensive ($120) and heavy (~50lbs) but much more rugged than any of the ones we previously had. Will buy another just like when this one finally dies.


We also have one of those sports umbrellas posted above. They work good for two people in chairs but if the wind gets up you have to stake it down well or it will get away from you.

Yeah we have a Z-Shade from Academy - I don't know the exact model or size - but I concur with this. Heavy as fuck, and a pain to put up (forget it with 1 person), but it seems really sturdy. The other day in fact it blew up and over my roof and onto my neighbors because I'm a dumbass and didn't weigh it down. Pulled it down off the roof and it's fine.

[T’Boo Ted Marshall 2732]

I have the Caravan 12x12.  It's about 7 years old and I am just now replacing the bottom part of one leg due to a wind gust a few weeks back.  It was not anchored so mostly my fault.  It was around $150 I think.  

 

I don't understand why they don't add vents slots to the top like golf umbrellas.  

[Tonesky 936]

Anyone familiar with the Old Bahama Bay popup - on sale at Costco for $32

[Chewbacca 7780]

12 minutes ago, Tonesky said:

Anyone familiar with the Old Bahama Bay popup - on sale at Costco for $32

Costco's return policy is so good, might as well buy it.  If it sucks, take it back.

[TonyTexas 10515]

On 5/19/2020 at 11:50 AM, BearSchlong said:

I'm a baller, just sprung for the 12x12 angled leg version at Academy for $69.99.  I'm sure it'll be a bitch to get up straight out of the box, but I'll get the hang of it.

Also bought 4 home depot 5 gallon paint buckets which I will fill with water and tie to each corner in the event of high wind, because beach sand laughs at tent stakes.

You are not a baller unless you pay $160 for 4 of these. 

[dingleberryswitzer 2724]

21 minutes ago, TonyTexas said:

You are not a baller unless you pay $160 for 4 of these. 

Yea those yeti buckets will keep your sea water ice cold for three days

[William_Cannon 86]

...  
Honestly if it is just you or maybe two people we've had good experiences with the umbrellas.  Easier, lighter, tougher, but also smaller.

Interesting thought... the pop up style beach shelters look easy to setup. A couple of those may be a better option if we can fit 5 to 6 people.

[William_Cannon 86]

Search ABCCANOPY on Amazon.

What makes ABCCANOPY better over EZ Up or the other popular brands? Looks like $50 more... from what I read, legs may be thicker metal?

Also how helpful are wives setting up and breaking down?

[Hate 20108]

[kevwun 15790]

You mainly just need someone to hold on to a corner so you can pull it apart.  Even if she's not tall enough or strong enough to extend and lock the legs, you can still do that yourself while she holds on to it.

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3868]

If you don't need freestanding MoonShade is pretty cool. https://moonfab.co/shop/moonshade/

[ShaggyBevo RIP 3868]

^^^

With more thought the MoonShade is more of a versatile awning replacement than free standing shade tent replacement.

[Jkwellborn 6703]

Also how helpful are wives setting up and breaking down?

Most of them are terrible at setting up but they all break down. Normally over trivial bullshit.