We just got season tickets for my alma mater Appalachian State. We will be doing lots of tailgating and we want to get a canopy for shade and rain protection.

Everyone one of the pop canopies I have see others use had a very short life span and did not seem to hold up too well.

Are these buy once cry once items or should they be deemed disposable.

Buy the cheapest one you can find and just replace as needed or spend the big bucks and get a nice one that will last. I have done a little shopping and the price varies wildly but I am not sure I could tell you why the prices are so different.

Any recommendations or experiences?

I have used this one and had very good results. A little pricier, but it has lasted several seasons already and shows no signs of wear:

Z-Shelter POP-up

I have some of the EZ-Up commercial models.

They need to be secured but are not for high winds. The first and most important thing is to read the instructions on how to raise and lower them. The place you hold your hands is different to go up or down and it should not be done by more than two people even if it's a 10x20.

Enthusiastic helpers doing it wrong will kill one the first time.

I have a couple, a commercial ez-up and a mid level unit.

Commercial ez-up is solid and best in rain. But it is heavy to handle. Bear to get back into to case.

Lighter unit gets more use because of convenience.

I agree only two people to set up/down.

Careful with wind,you would not believe how they can take off.

I have a 10X10 EZ-Up

works fine but is a PITA to put up and down by yourself

I bought a First Up 10'x10' from Walmart about eight years ago for about $100.00. It has been used several times a year and is still in decent shape. Since the frame is made of steel, it can be a little heavy if you have to lug it through a sports field. Tailgating shouldn't be a problem. I looked into getting an aluminum framed one but they are around $600.00.

The canopy tents that I have seen get destroyed were damaged when a gust of wind picked them up and broke the frames.

10x10s are a cinch - One person -
Jiggle the leg you raising to allow the other 3 to move on the ground as to not stress the frame. I leave my canopy on an strap it tightly together before putting it in the whatever carrier.

I have watched others (best are husband and wife) teams struggle at camp sites and just crack up.

quote:

Originally posted by nhtagmember:
I have a 10X10 EZ-Up

works fine but is a PITA to put up and down by yourself

I have the same thing, and it can be a pain with two people as well. You almost need someone on each corner until you find tricks to making it work for you.

My EZ up has held up well but have had it go Airborne on me twice and bent it all up. I bought a replacement leg and it was pretty simple to install. Last time it went 15ft in the air when a gust came along. TIE IT DOWN!

Bought an ABC Canopy from Amazon last year for tailgating. Easy up and down and very happy with the quality for the price. I have the 8x8 foot model and can put it up and take it down on my own if I need to.

I bought the cheap $40 walmart version because inevitably it'll get fucked up camping.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
I bought the cheap $40 walmart version because inevitably it'll get fucked up camping.

This reminds me about the first time I went camping with my son and his Cub Scout troop. I bought an inexpensive two person tent. The first night it poured all night long. The tent was noisy and started to leak. I happened to bring my pop up canopy so I set it up over our tent. Problem solved. When people walked by, we could hear them saying that they wished they had one too.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
I bought the cheap $40 walmart version because inevitably it'll get fucked up camping.

That’s what I use at car shows. I use concrete weights to keep it from flying in the breeze. Bigger breeze, it doesn’t come out.

the neighbor gave me an expensive pop up that had gotten blown over in the wind.

I gave it to my brother to fix and use, he said it would cost $300.00 for the parts and welding.

he put the aluminum in the recycle bin and uses the canopy to cover stuff outside on occasion

quote:

Originally posted by Apphunter:
We just got season tickets for my alma mater Appalachian State.

Hey, my neighbor down the street is an App State fella! Go, Mountaineers!

(The other 'Eers!)

That said, EZ-Up seems to be "the stuff."

We got our kids a Cool Cabana for Christmas. It has survived 2 summers of going to the beach on Tybee Island at least once a week. It's in great shape and they anticipate at least 2 more years of service. Their only objection is it's a little on the short side.

If you want to have custom graphics with your alma mater - Norstar and Action Sports are good.

http://www.norstarcanopy.com/

https://www.actionsportscanopies.com/canopies

Picture it with these on it.

A well built pop-up is worth it's weight in gold. If you're planning on tailgate parties, beach/park parties, backyard usage; having a pop-up that's using good materials, and well made will save you endless frustration. It is an investment and you need to figure out if it's worth a few car payments to buy one of those awesome pop-ups.
I use a pop-up for work, I'm pulling that damn thing out probably 10-15 times a year for various events, a good one you can set-up on your own. A shitty cheap one, like those disasters sold at Dick's or, Big5 will crap out on you at the worst possible time, not to mention corrode, tear easily and simply not want to cooperate. If you don't make the investment, make sure the tubing isn't thin, and it's easy to release the legs/canopy when you need to set-up/collapse...cotter pins I've found on the good ones and not push-springs.
When it's windy and the canopy wants to sail away, put 5-gal contractor buckets at each corner, fill them with sand or, water, then tie them to each corner's cross member, put a 5th one in the center.