Recommendations for durable pop-up canopies for more than a one or two day use?

fieldgrade

fieldgrade

waiting...
2A Bourbon Hound 2024
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Charter Life Member
Benefactor
Supporting Member
Multi-Factor Enabled
Joined
Dec 16, 2016
Messages
29,341
Location
Wake/Harnett
Rating - 100%
14   0   0
Like this.

1623243071361.png
I’ve bought the fifty dollar ones for shade at matches and such, but I’m curious if there are any made that can withstand a summer of wind or rain, barring tropical storms of course.

The primary complaint I read about even the pricier ones is that they collect rain in the four corners, and either collapse, or you have to push up the for corners after every rain to get the water out. This might just be the nature of the beast but I figured I’d ask.

Also, the wind of course. Not sure if there is a more effective means to stake them down securely aside from the skinny stakes that go through the holes in the bottom of the four metal feet. This will be on sandy soil so I’m not confident of that at all.

I’m just pondering some ways to get some shade on a small back patio for a baby girl and her mommy while I figure out how to build a porch back there, and which bank to rob to pay for the lumber to do it.
 
Lucky63 said:
As for the wind, I’ve seen people tie down each corner to a 5 gallon bucket filled with sand/dirt. It worked very well.
Click to expand...
This worked for us. I’ve done that at the beach since sand wouldn’t hold to stake it.
filled the buckets with water. That made it easy to empty buckets to move/transport them.
at my house, I might use dirt or concrete filled buckets if it is more permanent, or if water is not convenient or not desired (mosquitoes if not covered?)
I’ll get you the brand of the canopy we have. Have used it for multiple trips/events for like 5 years now, including just last night at kids swim meet. I’m surprised it has lasted this long, but I’m glad it has, because it was more expensive than the cheap ones.
The wheeled case/bag wore out, but the canopy is still going. Have used it in rain (including last night), and it does not hold water.
It is easy enough to put up that you wouldn't be tempted to leave it out to get ruined by wind/storm. It is a little awkward for one person alone to set up or take down, but I’ve done it multiple times with no issues. It’s a breeze with 4 people (one at each corner, no need to shift around to move each corner at a time)
 
Last edited:
As far as the wind, get one with the vent or gusset at the top to let the wind escape. That will help avoid it getting destroyed in the wind. And the 5-gallon bucket anchoring method works great for keeping it in place.

I don't know that there's a solution for the rain water except to take it down when not in use.
 
I believe this is the one we have.
www.ezup.com

ES100S™ Canopy Value Pack

E-Z UP® ES100S™ Canopy Value Pack tent has a classic design that's usable for any business. Attending a farmer's market, for instance, is so easy thanks to the tent's modern design and ability to fit in limited spaces. You can even turn the ES100™ Canopy into a mini concession stand, making it a...
www.ezup.com www.ezup.com
My wife just told me that we have the sides for it. I didn’t think it had sides - we’ve never used them.
my wife and her mom bought it together because they were planning to go to craft fairs selling stuff that her mom makes, and doing face painting. They only did 1 or 2 of those before quitting. But we’ve used the shelter a lot anyway.
 
Bloodyhands said:
I have seen them with attachments at the bases of the legs for spikes to hold them down.
Click to expand...
Mine has flat metal feet on the bottom of the legs with a hole for a stake, but it’s only like a 3/8 inch hole. I’ve staked it when ground was solid, using random stuff that would fit like old screwdrivers or long bolts (head bolts out of some car) with a point ground on the end.
 
The EZ up ones nice, best prices i found were on Amazon. It you get the one with more headroom they tend to have more framing supporting the top cover. The covers with the reflective fabric or heat blocker ones are way nicer in the sun. The vented ones will help with not getting blown over. Your probably looking 100 bucks plus for a good one.

As others have stated either buckets with sand or or staking it down.


Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 
Depending on how the bracing underneath is set up, you could probably run some bungees/ratchet straps/rope/etc in a couple spots to help prevent sagging and water collecting in the corners.
 
We've got a cheap one that has been pretty good. has the vent at the top to let the wind go through. We use doubled-up grocery bags filled with sand as anchors and that works pretty good.
 
If weight or compact size is not an issue, I would go with something like this:

Amazon.com: ADVANCE OUTDOOR Adjustable 10x20 ft Heavy Duty Carport Car Canopy Garage Boat Shelter Party Tent, Adjustable Height from 9.0ft to 10.5ft, Beige: Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com: ADVANCE OUTDOOR Adjustable 10x20 ft Heavy Duty Carport Car Canopy Garage Boat Shelter Party Tent, Adjustable Height from 9.0ft to 10.5ft, Beige: Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com

My mom used them at flea markets and they lasted years
 
I have one for camping. I take small limbs and bow them under the canopy between the fabric and the frame is where the bend is and it forms an arch where the sag would form from the weight of the water.

I hope that made since.
 
the scout troop ties theirs down with rope (i use ratchet straps), and it gets dang windy out here, and like above you bow out the material to keep water from pooling on it, but we use pool noodles
 
Darkhorse said:
I have one for camping. I take small limbs and bow them under the canopy between the fabric and the frame is where the bend is and it forms an arch where the sag would form from the weight of the water.

I hope that made since.
Click to expand...
No…but it made sense. 🤓🤪
 
Darkhorse said:
I have one for camping. I take small limbs and bow them under the canopy between the fabric and the frame is where the bend is and it forms an arch where the sag would form from the weight of the water.

I hope that made since.
Click to expand...
BigWaylon said:
No…but it made sense. 🤓🤪
Click to expand...
Made cents to me.
 
I've had a First Up for more than ten years, but it's never been in sand. Wife gets annoyed that we can't take it to the beach, but the trash cans there always seem to have a broken one sitting beside them. Sand gets in them and jams them up so the legs no longer slide. And salt will rust anything.
 
I've used these as anchors. Take up less room and easier to carry when empty than buckets - but you need something handy to fill them with.

1623260794382.png
 
If you want a quality pop-up, EZ-up is the gold standard as far as I'm concerned.
If you watch a race, all of those pop ups behind the pit wall are usually EZ-up brand. It's all we ever used.
Heavier tent material and much more robust framework, spare parts are available, it's a canopy that is actually worth fixing if the shtf with it.

If you dont need portability, cheaper options might serve you better.


edit: If anybody is looking for a windproof beach sunshade, Shibumi, although expensive, is what you seek.
 
Last edited:
I use 5 gallon buckets and fill them with water at the track and then just empty them at the end of the weekend. I bought a 10 x 20 from Summit Racing a year or so ago and was pretty impressed with the weight of the frame and the price can't be beat.
 
Johnny said:
If you want a quality pop-up, EZ-up is the gold standard
Click to expand...
EZ-up is the brand to get if you're serious about a quality unit.
You're not gonna get one for 100 bucks though. $300 for a 10x10.
I got mine at Sams club years ago. They had them on sale for $200 and my wallet flew open immediately.
 
I’ve had a cheap, probably $100, one for about 5 years. We use it for sand volleyball tournaments. Last years it started leaking a little. We have probably packed it, travelled all over the Southeast and put it up and taken it down about 100 times. I also have a much more heavy duty one I bought from Costco about 25 years ago. It is in perfect condition. Been used about 5 times because it is heavier and harder to set up.
 
I was shoveling dirt at my son’s house all day and measured the patio. I was thinking it was a measly 10x10, but it’s 14x16 so it alters my thinking about this project just a smidge for right now.
 
BigWaylon said:
Depending on how the bracing underneath is set up, you could probably run some bungees/ratchet straps/rope/etc in a couple spots to help prevent sagging and water collecting in the corners.
Click to expand...
I got a couple of pool noodles and cut them up to keep the corners propped against the frame to let the water flow off.
 
Why not just a sun sail? I just put up three 4x4s (will use the garage as one point) for one. All in we are just over $150ish?
 
Mike79 said:
Why not just a sun sail? I just put up three 4x4s (will use the garage as one point) for one. All in we are just over $150ish?
Click to expand...
That’s a good idea. In fact, I think my son wants to build a koi pond somewhere in the backyard, so I need to start thinking way outside the box for both the patio and the water garden/koi pond for some shade.
 
Last edited:
@fieldgrade thanks for posting this question, perfect timing, I'm in the market as well.
EzUp has a bunch of different models that look almost the same, range from just over $100 to~$1k without much explanation. That makes choosing a pain.
Have any of y'all bought from Bilemete.com?

Outdoor Tents, Beach Chairs, Fun In The Sun! | E-Z UP

E-Z UP’s outdoor tents are ideal for tailgate parties. E-Z UP outdoor tents protect you from the sun and are spacious enough for cooking and entertainment.
www.ezup.com www.ezup.com

bilemete.com - This website is for sale! - bilemete Resources and Information.

This website is for sale! bilemete.com is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you would expect to find here, bilemete.com has it all. We hope you find what you are searching for!
www.bilemete.com www.bilemete.com
 
Call me crazy, but camo netting works pretty good. It does ultimately get torn all to pieces by the wind, but it felt pretty good to sit under at H20 Fowl Farms for the monthly matches in the summer. It was several years before it fell completely into disrepair.

Should be something fun for the HOA to talk about. :p

1623321907824.png
 
fieldgrade said:
That’s a good idea. In fact, I think my son wants to build a koi pond somewhere in the backyard, so I need to start thinking way outside the box for both the patio and the water garden/koi pond for some shade.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a good alternative as you can get several different sizes and shapes maybe a rectangle and a triangle
 
fieldgrade said:
Call me crazy, but camo netting works pretty good. It does ultimately get torn all to pieces by the wind, but it felt pretty good to sit under at H20 Fowl Farms for the monthly matches in the summer. It was several years before it fell completely into disrepair.

Should be something fun for the HOA to talk about. :p

View attachment 342815
Click to expand...

Worked great in theater
 
fieldgrade said:
That’s a good idea. In fact, I think my son wants to build a koi pond somewhere in the backyard, so I need to start thinking way outside the box for both the patio and the water garden/koi pond for some shade.
Click to expand...
A sun sail was a good idea ~20 posts earlier as well. 🤓
 
Button Pusher said:
I got a couple of pool noodles and cut them up to keep the corners propped against the frame to let the water flow off.
Click to expand...

Was going to say I had seen someone else use pool noodles and thought it was a good cheap idea. It doesnt take much if you can keep it from ever starting to pond.
 
fieldgrade said:
That’s a good idea. In fact, I think my son wants to build a koi pond somewhere in the backyard, so I need to start thinking way outside the box for both the patio and the water garden/koi pond for some shade.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a good alternative as you can get several different sizes and shapes maybe a rectangle and a trian
BigWaylon said:
A sun sail was a good idea ~20 posts earlier as well. 🤓
Click to expand...
I didn't read all the replies before I posted.
 
fieldgrade said:
That’s a good idea. In fact, I think my son wants to build a koi pond somewhere in the backyard, so I need to start thinking way outside the box for both the patio and the water garden/koi pond for some shade.
Click to expand...
Koi live an indefinite amount of time if properly cared for, my oldest is probably 14 years old now. Maintenance is brutal on a koi pond unless he is independently wealthy and can shell out 10's of thousands of dollars for filtration. Tell him to think very hard before getting into Koi. A simple goldfish pond/water garden may be better. Ping me if you have any questions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom