Why I got it
My wife wanted this shade for when we went to the desert. For some strange reason, she liked this one and it was substantially reduced from the list price. So we got it.
What is comes with
6 stakes
3 guyout cords
1pole bag
1 stuff sack
How it works
It works like most tent set-ups. You run a flexible pole through a small seam on the top of the structure. When you pull it tight, it bends and causes the fabric to take shape. You then stake it in the ground. It is a very simple design. But in this case simple is not better (read on.)
In addition, you can setup three guywires on the side that do not have poles. This is only necessary is you are in a windy environment or if the ground is really sandy and you need the extra support.
How easy is it to set up?
I don’t feel this is very easy to set up. It takes over 5 minutes and two people is highly advisable. My other tents are more complicated, but I can set them up faster and by myself.
The reason it is so difficult is that that poles are difficult to push through the cloth. It snags and gets caught easily. So it is best to have one person pushing and another person guiding.
How much shade does it provide?
Not a heck of a lot. We got 4 adults sitting in camping chairs, in complete shade in relative comfort. Problem is we had 6 people in our party so someone was always in the sun. During late afternoon part of the shade was on the outside of the tent. So my brother staked this territory out and 2-3 people were under the shade.
(update) In a recent trip to the beach I measured the amount of shade. During the summer with the sun directly overhead I measured 50 square feet of shade. This would be enough for a family of 4 to lay down comfortable (including 2 kids). Or it is enough room for 3 adults to lay comfortably or 6 adults in chairs packed closely together.
At about 10 in the morning (3 in the afternoon) you had approximately 40 square feet of shade.
Possible solution for more shade.
If you had a tarp, you could use it to create a false wall on the sunny side of the structure. This would block one or two of the openings, but it would create more shade.
How resistant is it to wind?
This is very resistant to wind even without the guy wires. I would feel comfortable leaving this in high winds where I would be very concerned with some of the square shade structures. The guy wires add an extra security measure and would be needed for some of the Santa Ana’s we get in Southern California.
How tall is it?
The height is variable, which is nice. But the taller you make it, the less shade you have available. When it is at the highest profile, I can easily stand in the middle (up to 7 feet 6 inches peak height.) But there is virtually no shade because of the shape.
At the lowest height (the position it set up most easily in) there is no room to stand. And when I walk around in it I walk hunched over. I am very comfortable sitting in a chair though.
The main problem I have with this shade is I have to crouch or bend over to get under the sides of the shade. This is annoying to me when I am healthy, and very painful to me when I am recovering from knee surgery.
My personal experience
I have used it in the desert and at the beach a few times. The beach was pretty nice. It provided plenty of air flow while providing shade for myself. At the time I was able to edit a paper I was working on without worrying about getting a sunburn or being bothered by other beach goers. The low sides did not bother me because I just flopped onto the towel with my legs sticking out of the side.
The desert was not as much fun. The shade only added partial relief from the heat. And it was hard getting to the shade because I had to duck under the sides. But the stakes held into the sandy soil quite well. It was windy during one trip but the shade was fine and showed no signs of blowing away. Thankfully the group I was with I was good friends with, so the close quarters did not bother me.
My Gripes
My biggest problem with this unit is the setup. It is difficult to put the poles through the sleeves. One person can set it up but it takes 3-4 times longer than 2 people working together. Other tents, and shades, have solved this with simple design changes.
The second problem is the shade does not provide much shade. Even though the stats make you believe the footprint is large, in reality the shade footprint is small. You better get along with the people you are sharing it with.
The third problem is that I am annoyed with ducking every time I need to get under the structure.
Who is this for?
-Someone that will be in a windy environment and needs a stable shade structure.
-Someone in shape that does not mind crouching every time they go under the structure.
By the numbers Warning boring stats. From the REI website.
Average minimum weight 9 lbs. 7 oz.
Average packaged weight 10 lbs. 14 oz.
Floor area 40 - 65 square feet
Peak height 6 ft. 3 in. - 7 ft. 6 in.
Material Coated polyester taffeta
Number of poles 3
Pole material Fiberglass
Packed size 6.5 x 30 inches
Pole diameter 12.5 millimeters
Summary:
This is a unique sunshade that does not provide much shade. What it does provide is a stable sunshade that will not shake violently in the wind. I personally can not recommend this version because it just does not provide enough of its name sake…shade.
Other outdoor gear
The North Face Tigger Kids Sleeping Bag
Coleman 2 burner propane stove
Coghlans whisk dust pan
Mountain Sports
