If you’re looking for a simple solution to stay protected from the sun, nothing’s better than a beach tent. Thus we’ve brought you the complete guide to the best beach tents.
When choosing a beach tent, make sure that the material provides uv protection. Also, ensure that it’s lightweight and big enough for your family. You’ll also want it to be easy to assemble, disassemble, and pack.
Why Buy A Beach Tent | Buying Considerations | Best Beach Tents List
Why Buy A Beach Tent?
With a beach tent, you can easily shield yourself, your children, and others from the sun and wind.
Beach tents are made with fabric that blocks out the sun’s damaging UV rays. So after loads of fun activities, it’s the perfect shelter when you feel like you need a break.
They offer shelter from rain, or strong winds, are usually easy to set up, and can be purchased for a reasonable cost.
How To Choose A Beach Tent?
The fabric and structure of your beach tent are extremely important to consider.
Beach Tent Material
Now commonly beach tents are made up of nylon or polyester. This makes it lightweight and also offers you protection from the sun.
But some beach tents are also UV protected. If you live in a warm place, we highly suggest you choose a UV protected beach tent.
This will protect your delicate skin from sun damage when you’re resting in the shade. You can go with nylon or polyester, but we simply recommend a tent that clearly states it is also UV protected.
Beach Tent Structure
If you live in a windy place, you may want beach tents that can be closed up. This gives you that extra bit of privacy and also can be a reliable way to store your valuable items.
However, if that’s not a concern, you could always just opt for an open beach tent and enjoy the view of the ocean while relaxing.
A tent that has sturdier poles, and a system for locking/securing to the ground should be a consideration for windier areas.
The Size of Your Beach Tent
This is another factor you must consider before you buy a beach tent. After all, the last thing you would want is to cramp a party of three or four people in a small tent meant for 1. Look for a tent with vestibules for added storage space.
So ask yourself who do you normally spend the weekend at the beach with? If it’s just you and your small family, a medium-sized beach tent will work perfectly.
But if you’re more of a party animal, we suggest that you buy a big oversized tent to fit in all of your friends or children.
Weight
Nobody likes carrying a rock around while relaxing at the beach. So even if you think you’ve found the perfect beach tent, don’t forget to check how heavy it is.
We suggest you to pick the most lightweight option available in the segment of beach tent that you’re interested in.
That’s because a beach tent for ten people is definitely going to be heavier than one designed for four people.
Generally, just like backpacking tents, the lighter your tent, the more expensive it may be, or potentially the less durable it is. Simply consider this in your purchasing decision.
Usability / Ease of Setup
When you buy a beach tent, don’t forget to check whether it can be set up easily.
Today with so many options out there, you’ll find beach tents that can be set up extremely efficiently by one person, but tents with complicated poll systems might be a lot more difficult to setup, especially if there are winds on the beach, or if you are alone.
We recommend finding a 1 or 2 pole system in which you can see the ease of setup beforehand. You’ll end up avoiding frustration, and saving time when you get an easy setup tent.
The Color
Don’t forget to pay attention to the color of your beach tent! This may not be a consideration for some, but having a beach tent that isn’t the same color as everyone else’s can make it easier to find along the beach for both you and others that are meeting you. Additionally, you may just be concerned with the overall look. Getting a vibrant color that is unusual may not be attractive, but it may help you not walk into the wrong tent in the future.
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about