Another key aspect of functionality is the extra convenience features provided by various models. For example, hanging loops, storage compartments, and built-in pockets make canopy use easier and more organized. 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.
I kiss my sleeping bag liner goodbye and tell myself I will get to try out being more like a true ultra-lighter for the remainder of trail. Though I am not terribly happy about it, my pack feels like a feather after cutting another 2.5 pounds, and that seems worth it. The Pacific Breeze Easy Up didn’t score as highly here, but we were impressed with its ability to handle the wind.
This feature also tightly stretches the entire canopy fabric into place, giving it greater resistance to wind and rain. At first glance, the setup for the Quick-Set Escap appears quite daunting. However, it became our favorite canopy to set up after conquering a slight learning curve. Despite its size, it amazingly ships completely assembled and pops into place with just a few pulls and pushes.
And compared to some of the tents in the EZ-Up lineup, it sells for almost a 70% discount. One could, in theory, purchase a new Ozark canopy every year (which they might need to!) and still come out ahead over the years vs. purchasing a more expensive alternative. We arrive at a short spur trail leading us to the “Rock House”.
The legs extend to give the top peak a height of about 8’10” which will be plenty of headroom for anyone underneath. Our lower scorers in this metric generally received lower scores because of their weight and size. However, it’s important to note that some canopies are not as portable because they’re constructed of higher-quality, heavier, and thicker materials. Canopies in this category are the Eurmax, Quick-Set Escape, E-Z UP Pyramid, Caddis Rapid Shelter, and Caravan Canopy V-Series. The Eurmax and E-Z Up both received lower portability scores because they are heavy and more difficult to lift from the car to the ground. Likewise, they are larger and more difficult to fit into a smaller vehicle.
We also hosed the tents down to see if the material was water-resistant and strong enough for an afternoon thunderstorm. The results of the unbiased and exhaustive review are presented here. The Pacific Breeze Easy Up is a beach tent with a half-dome design and enough space to shade one or two adults. Its one-pull setup requires more muscle than anticipated, but overall, it is hassle-free and takes only seconds to erect. At 5.4 pounds, it’s the lightest canopy in our lineup, making it very portable. We like the built-in sidewall pockets, attached floor, and roll-away side drapes.
Some canopies perform well in one or two of these areas, but we gave the highest scores to those that could expertly handle all three functions. We even gave extra points to canopies that also protected against bugs. This canopy gives 64 sq ft of coverage with an SPF of 50+ and features an easy-up design with telescoping legs, so it can be set… With all that in mind, we found more than a dozen tents that met our criteria.
Determining which features you need in a canopy will help you choose which one provides maximum efficiency at the right price. Our notes on this shelter are mostly positive — there isn’t much we don’t like about ozark trail backpack 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.
We also timed setup and breakdown times for each shelter, and we repeatedly zipped and unzipped doors and windows, looking for annoying snags. In early March, we took our second trip to the oceanside Sycamore Canyon Campground (PDF) near Oxnard, California. A later check of the weather at nearby Point Mugu Naval Air Station confirmed top recorded wind gusts of 40 miles per hour. A canopy tent is a purchase most regular car campers consider after stocking up on the basics.