A Canopy Tent Guide.
Tips To Remember.

This quick evaluation will help you find a better quality canopy tent and hopefully save you some money in the process...

Look for a canopy tent that offers a snug fit. If it droops down it won't shed water like it's supposed to causing it to hold water and form pools. Although small pools aren't usually a problem larger pools of water can get heavy very quickly and stress seam stitches which may lead to leaking and premature wear. Big pools of water also aren't much fun when say, the canopy tent shifts in the wind just as you step from underneath it sending 5 gallons of icy water streaming down your back. Wheweee! That wakes you up in a hurry! ;-)

A sagging canopy tent will also have a higher chance of leaking if the tent canopy is made of marginal material that has a tendency to leak if it's touched in the rain. Even if you don't want to invest as much in your canopy tent as you do your camping tent, try to choose one that has a taught fit.

To avoid being disappointed decide what you expect from your shelter before you get it. If you only need protection from the sun you may be able to get by with an inexpensive short lightweight canopy. If you're looking for rain protection though make sure the shelter you're considering is made from a sturdy material. Since canopy tents are more exposed to the wind because of their open "parachute design" and their height, it can invite more wear and tear.

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If you want protection from biting flies and bugs you'll probably want to look at screen houses. These offer screened walls in addition to overhead protection to keep the pests at bay. Get one with a floor if you want to try keep the friendly campground chipmunks from running underneath and begging at dinner time. Some screen houses also offer zip-up panels much like a tent to keep wind-driven rain from drenching everything inside.

To help them last as long as possible keep them out of the sunlight as the ultraviolet rays will oxidize and weaken the fabric. Also you'll want to clean off any bird droppings as soon as possible as they have a tendency to stain and age the material prematurely also.

As for size, simply put the bigger your canopy is, the more protection it can offer and the more camping gear and people you can protect underneath, but a bigger canopy also means more sail area so... It almost goes without saying that a canopy tent should have a strong frame and long sturdy stakes to resist the wind. Stakes, weights or tie-downs are critical to a high-quality canopy, otherwise your investment will quite literally blow away at some point.

Since most people that invest in a canopy also haul the rest of their camping gear and hiking equipment to their campsite in a car or truck, weight isn't as critical as it is when you're choosing a camping tent that you have to carry into the backcountry.

In order to avoid repeating myself, have a look at my camping tents and/or camping tent tips page because a lot of the information will apply to canopy tents.