A definite smart design choice, the ceiling vents are a massive advantage for and ultimately have two purposes. Instant set up has become a huge selling point for many models out there. A lot of gazebos on the market, soft tops and hard tops, can take an hour or more to pitch which can be a big downfall when you want something quick and easy.
This model follows a simple 3 step process, which is common among many instant editions. It’s a matter of unpacking, unfolding, and extending the legs to your desired height. There’s no complicated insertion of poles and we love how it’s well-designed to be completely hassle-free. Although you might think that you can’t get overheated underneath an already open structure, if lots of people are standing inside and if the outside temperature is boiling then things can get hot.
It’s typically used by families, couples, or groups of friends going to outdoor events, but we can see it being used for more commercial purposes. A couple of elements make it standout from a regular shelter, like the upper vents in the roof and the upgraded all-steel structure. Even though it technically can, we think you should have a second person there to help out with the set up. Since this model is quite tall, you may even need a small foot ladder, so having someone there will keep things safe. It would probably only protect against light rainfall as the materials aren’t specifically made for moderate or heavy moisture levels.
We appreciate that the frame has been made of tough steel, as this ensures that it will stay stable throughout moderate winds. With the help of the provided stakes and guy ropes, you can stake it down, so it remains secure. There doesn’t seem to be any information on the thickness level of the polyester, but this ozark trail chairs model does have a 50+ UV protection rating. This is very important for gazebos, considering their principal purpose is to shield from the sun. In terms of being waterproof, we think it’s more so water repellent.
These push locks get very difficult to use over time, especially if the tent is used on the beach and exposed to sand and saltwater, causing rust build up. Many newer tent brands like EZ-Up use revolutionary thumb lock sliders or larger easy to release buttons, which are a much better user experience when setting the canopy up or taking it down. With the push buttons you need to worry about pinching fingers or not being able to release the button when it gets rusted, which is never a pleasant experience. The legs extend to give the top peak a height of about 8’10” which will be plenty of headroom for anyone underneath.
It’s worth highlighting that despite the advertised dimensions of the 10×10 Ozark Trail, because this is a slant leg shelter the top only measures 8×8. You’ll be able to comfortably fit up to 4 chairs underneath the 64 sq. The benefit of the slanted legs is that these tents are more stable laterally which can increase the stability of the frame and make it less prone to toppling, an important benefit if on a windy beach. Although we always recommend using anchors such as weighted sand bag or stakes with guy lines attached to the top corners. The Ozark Trail canopy very well might be one of the best selling 10×10 tent brands of all time. The easily recognizable logo has been seen by nearly everyone at youth soccer tournaments or beach vacations in recent years.