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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
43 of 43 found the following review helpful:
 I'm surprised that there aren't more people on the beach with one of these! Jul 16, 2006
By San Diego !
"SD"
We used our beach shelter today for the first time in San Diego, CA - had a few people actually stop and ask us where we got it. We didn't see another one (or any other type of beach tent) on the beach at all!
Like the other reviews stated, it was easy to set up and easy to break down. Not as easy as popping up an umbrella, which is probably why there weren't any on the beach. I would say it took the two of us about 12 minutes to set up and about as much to break down (where an umbrella takes about 30 seconds) - next time it'll be quicker I'm sure, but even so it's well worth the small effort.
The front zippered flap that folds out and lays flat does indeed have two spikes to hold it. I wonder if the other reviewer just got shorted. I can see also that the metal spikes could be easily lost in the sand, I'm sure our local REI can hook us up with some heavy duty plastic versions.
Something not mentioned is that the mesh bag that the tent comes in has hooks built into it so that you can clip it to the inside top of the tent and use it as a pouch to store stuff off the ground. Very handy!
We have two of those "Rio" brand beach chairs and were able to both sit inside the tent when we wanted to be in the shade.
I looked at several different tents, and most of them cost twice as much. This tent was indeed a bargain and I highly recommend it.
66 of 69 found the following review helpful:
 Nice size & great for kids Sep 03, 2005
By Jodester
We ordered this cabana because we wanted something to protect our 1 year old from the sun at the beach, with more coverage than an umbrella. We've used this once at the beach so far, and it seems to do the job pretty well. It's pretty easy to set up, though not as easy as the pop-up versions -- but those usually cost significantly more. It's very lightweight, too. My husband, my baby, and I fit comfortably under the shade in sitting positions, and could stretch out with our legs sticking out, too, with minimal sun exposure.
Some criticisms: 1) I think they should include two more stakes for the "door" so you can secure it in the down position. 2) It would be better if there were some smaller "windows" higher up, other than the rear window/door. The way it is now, you only get air flow by opening the rear window/door, and in certain conditions, this would significantly reduce your shade area in the cabana. 3) When at the beach, it's a little tough to fold up the fabric properly without trapping sand in it. Beaches are usually fairly breezy, and if you try to fold it from being flattened on the ground (as is the proper way), the flapping fabric and blowing sand is quite annoying.
In short, if you don't want to spend twice as much money for the pop-up, spring type, then this should suit you just fine.
37 of 37 found the following review helpful:
Must have for an infant at the beach! Aug 06, 2005
By H. Bresette
"beach lover"
I took this shelter on our beach vacation and I couldn't have lived without it. It sets up easily and breaks down just as easy. I have a 7 month old and he pretty much lived in there while we were at the beach. I love the privacy door for nursing. The older kids did a quick change too! It also has a back window/door that can either be a screen or a wide open door for air to pass through. On hot days at the beach it was a nice option to leave the door open to get a breeze. The only drawback is it comes with stainless steel stakes which I find to be useless at the beach. I have already lost a few in the sand. If it came with the plastic camping ones I think that would be a better fit. I definitely recommend this product.
33 of 37 found the following review helpful:
 Quality Nightmare. Aug 31, 2007
By M. Veil
I camp a lot and this shelter makes tent #6 for me. After reading all the great reviews, I purchased this in order to have our infant on the beach. I don't know what Coleman was thinking. The sleeves that you insert the fiberglass "poles" in to are made of a weak mesh. The metal tips on the poles ripped through the mesh the first time I set this up on the beach, and only continued to rip as the vacation went on. Forget about setting it up in wind. I'm disappointed with the product.
16 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Truly Pleasurable Beach Experience May 24, 2008
By Madeline
Living in South Florida, the beachese are a part of life. With two little ones (2 and 5) and another on the way, the sun is a problem. This beach shelter is the solution.
First of all, I have to say this gets four stars instead of five for one simple reason-- the first time we tried this was a mess-- a comedic typical mess in retrospect but not a fun one on the hot sand under a hot sun with a 5 year old itching for the water and a 2 year old hating being on the sand and being hot. It also didn't help I was 8 months pregnant and my husband had to pretty much do it on his own with only guidance from me. I think the problem for us was we got confused between the window and the door. My husband got really frustrated and gave up on the thing. I calmly sat and looked the directions over, and played with the flapping fabric while he coated the kids in sunblock and realized our mistake. Once we figured that we had gotten things mixed up, it was up in about five minutes. And that is not an exagerration. The other mistake we made was we used the stakes instead of the sand bag method. Although the stakes worked for most of the tent, there was one corner that kept coming up and when I read through the instructions and saw the sand bag section, I fixed it and that was the end of that. Take down was really simple. The beach experience was awesome. My daughter and I spent most of the time in the comfy shade with the wind blowing through. I put up the wet clothes on the line inside, and hung up the bag with stuff in it. This shelter is a MUST even if you don't have little ones. It keeps your things out of sight, cool, and comfy. I am really glad we got it and that we stuck it out through the first attempt at set up.
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