Very good question, I am buying one the first of Aug.

I went walking around after a big evening wind this past
launch., and ask a lot of questions.

Vertical poles -VS- Angled poles. There were some of each left standing.
The vertical poles lent itself better to putting anchor ropes at each
corner to hold them to the ground. The anchor ropes kept the stakes
from pulling out of the ground at the poles end.

The vertical poles also allowed for a 'quick drop' when needed. The
angled poles had to be moved in as it was dropped. With the vertical
everything could be left in place and the canopy dropped down to
a lower position.

Many price options. One thing was a guarantee. It would at some point
get damaged. Cheep is cheep to replace and expensive is expensive
to replace.

Asking prices. A happy medium seemed to be $100.00 to $125.00.

The $50.00 ones seemed pretty thin and spindly. The legs were
quite thin.

In shopping around, most places have pretty much the same thing.

Hope this helps.

At this point. I would like to thank all that let My wife share the shade.
It was a life saver for Her.

I prefer the straight leg versus the angled for most of the reasons Mike already mentioned. The nicer ones have the button push or pullpin device for the locking buttons and some actually have sewn on tabs for the tie down anchor ropes attached to the canopy. I usually tie to the frame. Seen them anywhere from $89.00 to $150 ish for the 10x10's at Sports Authority, Dick's Sporting Goods, Sportsman Warehouse, etc. The Brand name varies but the idea is generally the same - shade. The really expensive ones break just as often, I've found, so shop accordingly. After awhile, parts from the previous ones can be used to fix the latest ones, if you get the same style. The best solution/suggestion I have is not to use them when windy conditions are predicted unless well anchored at the feet and upper corners. When a bunch are set up together in a line or in four squares there is less trouble with the wind.

This subject just came up on the AeroPac list. I have a canopy that is not an 'easy up' but one that all the poles come apart. In the 8 years I've had it, I've only taken the top off three times. I got it at Home Depot and the top is sort of a mesh fabric. It takes a few minutes to put it together and is bigger then 10 x 10. I'm sort of in the market for a new one and what I plan of getting is the kind that is made from the EMT electrical conduit and a plastic tarp is bungeed to the top. They are pretty cheap. My buddy has one and never has to take it down. They seem to be the least affected by the wind.

http://www.creativeshelters.com/Canopy-Kits/Canopy-Kits.aspx?fnSKUPrefix=KFRC

Tony

I've gone through 3 identical EZ-shade brand 10'x10' sunshades over the last 7 years - one from Walmart and the other two from Home Depot at prices ranging from $96 to $135. These are reasonable quality for the class of product they are. However, North Site winds have eaten two of them.

I saved quite a few parts from the trashed ones and have used them to fix my current one several times. This is well worth it by the way - a replacement strut from the accordian sides costs $45! and a screw set with stop nuts almost as much - if you bought the whole unit as parts, it would cost well over $1000!

Tying them down is key - if there is tension, they are far more survivable. Another good idea - take the fabric off and leave the frame up if the winds pick up.

Warren

at the July launch, my "quick shade" brand with angled poles held up great with the lid on when others mangled during the Saturday afternoon squall. Then sunday, we were breaking camp and just plain forgot about it. The stakes had been removed, and wind picked it up. Two legs bent to hell, but the rest was in remarkably good shape. The sewn in velco bits held up fine to that.

I think i will get another of that brand due to its good performance on Saturday and so that i have same parts. Would have been fine if i had not simply forgotten that it existed in my haste to get out of the rain.

I do like the angled legs better because i think it helps withstand the wind a little better instead of vertical ones making themselves into a lever

At a yard sale last year I got one of these Kelty carport shelters, and it held up well at BALLS, when the cold front came through and the wind was whipping at 40+ mph:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250668373263&rvr_id=&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=WXF%3F&GUID=6a9107901290a06752350585ffb54732&itemid=250668373263&ff4=263602_263622

I'm sure it helped that the car was on the upwind side. As long as the wind doesn't blow the car away, you're o.k.

I don't have vertical poles for it, so the far corners were attached directly to the ground. I'm going to get some poles to get some more room underneath.

It makes it kind tough to drive to a rocket recovery, though.

I seen today that Dick's Sports has canopies on sale. 10'x10' starting at $70.00

Quick Shade Weekender 10x10 with angled legs for $115.00 delivered from the Hut Shop (www.hutshop.com)

Seems nice. I'll let the Pawnee winds test it!

Exact model is:

Quick Shade 10 x 10 Weekender 64 W64

Here's a good deal for anyone looking for a small and cheap canopy

Canopy on SlickDeals

ntroducing the only instant canopy you can carry on your back! The Quik Shade Go Hybrid backpack canopy is a lightweight, portable shade structure that is easy to carry and provides shade wherever you want to take it. Weighing in at a mere 15 lbs., the Go Hybrid can be effortlessly carried to the beach or the river, the park or the campground, the soccer field or the stadium. The canopy can be set up and taken down by one person, and folds into a durable backpack-style storage bag that takes up less than one cubic foot of space. Canopy includes one half-wall panel for more angled shade protection, and mesh eaves for wind flow. Backpack includes extra pockets to store and carry sunscreen, water bottles, car keys, etc.

$55