SKINCOM 200168 Easy Solartent

I combed the internet for all the beach shade options to limit the amount of sunscreen I have to apply and reapply, and I had a few parameters that limited my choices:[1] I do not sit in a chair at the beach, I lay full length on a towel or a raft. That rules out all beach umbrellas[2] I wanted to be able to see the beach and the ocean. That rules out basically all the tent style enclosures - I don't like the idea of being so enclosed at the beach, besides which I probably still wouldn't be able to stretch out in most of them.[3] I wanted it to be small and light enough that I could put it in one of my bike's side panniers since I often ride my bike to the beach.SkinCom Solartent was one of only 3 options that filled these requirements (one of the others was another SkinCom design, and the 3rd was Genji pop up sunshelter).So I got it in the mail and was amazed and how light and small it was, put it up in my living room to test out the method, and was amazed at how big it became!Today I took it to the beach and timed the set up; 12 minutes. Buried the straps in the sand as they recommend, plus weighted down all the corner pegs with the sand bags, and the extra stabilizing rope on both sides, and voila. Beach shade to stretch out under. Such a luxury! It never once threatened to blow away in the wind the way I've often seen umbrellas do. It would be possible for two people to lay side by side in the shade it provides, but those two people would have to be equally comfortable sharing a sleeping bag together. In other words, this is really a one person shade tent for laying stretched out, or two if you're going to use chairs.

We bought a red one and took it for two weeks to Hawaii. Best purchase ever!UPSIDES:1) The red colour was fantastic and our family could go early and set up to get a good spot, and we could come down with the children awhile later and see them a mile away even on the crowded beach.2) It is VERY easy to set up/take down and only takes a few minutes.3) It is lightweight 5lbs and carry bag has convenient handle (no problem even with the baggage restrictions on the plane).4) Cool breezes flow through while keeping the sun off. My young children and elderly parents had naps during the day, got out of the sun for lunch, and generally loved lounging in it. We would all sit together and eat lunch and still be comfortable (that was 4 adults and 2 toddlers plus miscellaneous beach gear/towels/etc). It is amazingly roomy inside. People constantly came up to us and asked where we got it.DOWNSIDE: (and the only downside I could really come up with) - when the wind got blowing/gusting hard, it would lift the tent up a bit. We did not have it staked, only a bit of sand scooped into the sand ballast bags (that are included) because we were to lazy to stake it. It was not a bit deal at all for us, but may be more problematic in a very windy location.Overall, LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. In fact, my parents bought one for themselves when we returned from our holiday. It is very well made, and I would recommend it to anyone.

This is exactly what I needed it for my trip to the beach, I don't know yet how is going to work with the win but hopefully ok. Love the color, it took me a minute to figure it out but once I did it was a 123 to put it together. It is awesome can't wait.