The Clam also sets up and folds down with remarkable speed—we timed the process at 60 seconds. However, this model is too big to fit in the trunks of most sedans, and the muted colors look good when it’s sunny but can feel a bit gloomy if it’s already rainy out. Adults as tall as 6-foot-3 can move about this tent standing upright. With a 44-square-foot vestibule, and 86 square feet of interior living space, the tent has plenty of room to house beds, cribs, gear, pets, and camping furniture.
Additionally, I encountered a few issues with the stitching during my first use which caused a couple of holes, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed. Overall, it’s a great purchase for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors while staying protected from the elements. Despite the fact that the tarp is designed to keep critters out, I personally found it to be useful more as a protective shield against the sun, wind, and rain. It was great to have the shark-mouthed duffel included as it made it easy to store and transport the tarp when I wasn’t using it. Additionally, setting it up was a breeze — the one pole, along with the stakes and guy-lines, made the process both quick and easy. One of the first things I noticed when I started setting it up was how sturdy and well-built the tarp was.
We assembled and disassembled the tents on all of our testing sites multiple times. We tried the rain fly for each tent as well, one time rushing to get several of them up during an unexpected rainstorm at night. When heavy trade winds buffeted our Oahu-coast testing site, we pitched each tent in full face of the blast. We then rotated the tents looking for structural weaknesses, and we tested their guy lines and tabs to see which tents had the best and most intuitive design for withstanding wind. The ozark trail canopy 14X12 is a versatile and durable outdoor living space that provides protection against insects while allowing for an airy and comfortable atmosphere.
Childhood memories of failures with Tinker Toys came flooding back. But, with determined hope, I began to wade through the instructions. Had I have known that this particular screen house was so hard to find, I would have bought a kit and tried to repair it.
The price also reflects the high quality of the materials, such as the four reinforced aluminum poles, which weigh little yet result in a remarkably strong tent. Our shade-loving experts poured over hundreds of the best canopy tents available before choosing 14 for side-by-side testing. We selected products best suited for farmer’s markets, corporate gigs, and beaches. We also chose canopies optimized for camping, spectator sports, and adventure.
The Tagalong sits a little low and isn’t adjustable, which affects the user’s ability to alter the canopy’s height or angles as the sun’s rays change. Still, the lightweight and portable design makes up for this, especially in the right use cases. This metric considers each shelter’s floor space and height and any design element that may limit or enhance accessibility and maneuverability. We erected each model and measured the height and floor space compared to the other tents. Typical cathedral tents offered a 10×10 floor space, whereas many more niche tents had varying sizes. Another key aspect of functionality is the extra convenience features provided by various models.
An avid swimmer, surfer, hiker, and camper, she currently lives on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, where she can be found, as much as possible, in water. We’ve tested (and recommended) Eureka tents in past versions of this guide. In October 2023, Eureka’s parent company, Johnson Outdoors, announced that it was discontinuing the Eureka brand. The product line, including its tents, should remain available through the end of 2024. A full rain cover, two vestibules, and an extra-sturdy pole structure make this the best choice for families who want to get outside in any weather.