Our most portable models are the Sun Ninja, Neso 1, and Eureka Tagalong Shelter. These models are all thinner, fold-down styles that weigh far less than the larger canopies on our list. Some, like the Tagalong, are lighter because of the high-end materials used in their construction. Others, like the Sun Ninja, are lighter because they employ less expensive materials. So it is important to distinguish that not all lightweight and portable products are equally high in quality.
We found the V-Series just as easy to set up as the other cathedral canopies we tested; however, it scored a little lower because it still incorporates spring-loaded adjustment pins to lock it into place. These pins are a little harder to use, especially during takedown, and they are more likely ozark trail camping chair to pinch the skin. This weight makes it somewhat difficult to load into and unload out of a vehicle, but once on the ground, the tank-grade roller bag allows it to be moved with ease, especially if you have two people. However, fitting it into a compact car may still be a challenge. The price tag may also be too high for some shoppers, but we feel the quality increase is worth it if you can swing it. Uncover the durability, ease of setup, and weather-resistant features of Quictent’s best-selling canopy.
Eurmax uses a thumb-lock slider for both the top corner locks and telescoping legs which is much easier to use than traditional push-button locks. The spring-loaded lever locks into place during setup, making it easy to unlock the frame with just one hand. A quick push of the slider releases the leg lock and you can choose one of the three peak height settings; 10 feet, 10.5 feet, or 11.1 feet. The specs are hard to believe at a price point we find to be extremely competitive. The Eureka Tagalong scored slightly lower but still boasted an impressive score.
The frame is solid steel with powder coating and has a heavy-duty feel. Both the material and the finish are ideal for resisting corrosion, important when you might be exposed to frequent rain. The ozark trail canopy durable 210D water-resistant polyester fabric is silver-back coated for UPF 50+ UV protection. The seams are not heat-sealed, but they are doubled-stitched to hold up to the wear and tear of camping. Water may trickle through the corner seams during heavy rain, but you can apply waterproof sealer yourself if you want to completely waterproof them.
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. 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.
No assembly is required; this shelter is ready to go right out of the box and can be fully deployed in less than a minute. We admit there is a small learning curve to setting up the Escape, but once you’re locked in, popping this canopy into place is really fun and even somewhat addictive. It doesn’t leak during rainstorms and is rock solid in the wind. The massive screened walls keep insects where they belong — away from you. This shelter is also fully surrounded by a 10-inch-wide ground skirt, which goes the extra mile to keep creepy crawlers and flying annoyances at bay. The included stakes are very short, thin, and somewhat ineffective; we recommend purchasing larger thicker stakes for your Caravan V-Series.
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. The results of the unbiased and exhaustive review are presented here.