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Beach tents to keep you cool in the shade

Nothing ruins an exciting beach day like a painful sunburn. Sometimes, even wearing sunscreen isn’t enough to combat intense sun rays. So, instead of tossing a flimsy beach umbrella into the truck on your next day off, opt for a beach tent. 

Beach tents are sturdier than umbrellas and tend to stay put, even on a windy day. Plus, with the number of options available, finding a beach tent that fits your lifestyle is a breeze. Here are the top beach tents to keep you cool in the shade.

Beach tent benefits

Shade

The most obvious benefit of a beach tent is shade from the intense sun. It’s not ideal for anyone to be in the sun all day, even with sunscreen reapplication. Beach tents also provide an excellent shelter for young kids to rest. If you pack lunch, a beach tent protects your cooler from the direct sun and provides a comfortable place for eating after you swim.

Privacy

Whether you want to change out of your wet swimsuit or relax on the beach, a beach tent provides excellent privacy. If privacy is your main concern, consider an option with sides and a front that zips closed.

Inclement weather

While a gentle breeze can help you fly a kite, if it gets windy on the beach, the sand can fly at you in all directions and be painful. However, with protection from a beach tent, you no longer have to worry about flying sand. Also, a water-resistant tent may offer protection against light rain.

Beach tent features to consider

  • Groundsheet: Are you looking for a tent to provide a barrier from the sand? If so, look for a tent that has a groundsheet or floor. However, if you want your child to play in the sand with their beach toys under the tent, look for a tent without a floor.
  • UPF rating: While any tent that provides shade is helpful, you could still get a sunburn through your beach tent if it doesn’t offer UV protection. Look for beach tents that have a UPF rating. UPF 50+ is the highest rating, and less protection against harmful rays is provided as the number decreases.
  • Size: Before purchasing a beach tent, it’s essential to consider how many people will use it. If it’s just a few adults with beach chairs, most sizes will work. However, if you’re looking to throw a beach party or want to store beach bags or beach carts, be sure to check the size. Also, a tent with no sides will fit more people.
  • Easy setup: No one wants to spend 30 minutes setting up a beach tent in the hot sun. There are several setup designs, from pop-up to special mechanisms to stability poles. You’ll also want to ensure it’s light enough to carry down to the beach.

Best beach tents

Easthills Outdoors Instant Shader Deluxe XL Beach Tent

Expanding up to 99 inches wide, this extra-large beach tent is expansive enough to fit four to six people. Plus, it only weighs 8 pounds and folds down to fit into a compact carrying bag. It also takes only one minute to set up and is coated with UPF 50+ to block up to 97.5 percent of harmful UV rays.

Sold by Amazon

Pacific Breeze Easy Setup Beach Tent

This water repellent beach tent with UPF 50+ sun protection provides relief from the rain, sun and wind. It features two expansive windows for ventilation and weighs only 4.5 pounds. Also included in this set are a carrying case, stakes and sand pockets.

Sold by Amazon

Quest Quickdraw Outdoor Shelter

You’ll never have to worry about sand or dirt getting in this tent since the floor extends 18 inches beyond the shelter. It comes with a travel case for effortless transportation and six sandbags to keep the tent grounded. It fits at least two folding chairs with room to spare.

Sold by Dick’s Sporting Goods

Sun Ninja Beach Tent

The unique design of this beach tent provides shade wherever you go and offers UPF 50+ sun protection against harmful sun rays. Since it doesn’t have sides, the breeze and shade will keep you cool and allow more people to fit comfortably.

Sold by Amazon

Coleman Beach Sun Shelter

This portable beach tent offers UPF 50+ sun protection and features a quick, pop-up design. If you’re seeking privacy, the extended front zips completely closed with a back window that provides ventilation. Plus, the interior touts storage pockets and a line to hang wet clothing.

Sold by Amazon

Alvantor Automatic Pop Up Outdoor Sun Shelter

With a convenient mechanism system, this tent is straightforward and quick to open and set up. It offers UPF 50+ sun protection and features mesh windows on each side for superior ventilation. It comes with a carrying bag and plastic stakes.

Sold by Kohl’s and Amazon

 

 

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Bre Richey writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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