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NFT: Beach Umbrella Suggestions

TEPLimey : 6/26/2017 10:02 am
In the market for a good beach umbrella. I'm no longer willing to endure the infuriation caused by cheap beach umbrellas (the last straw was yesterday, where the POS umbrella that we had wouldn't anchor properly and wouldn't close), and wanted to see what the pros on BBI were using. We are looking for something that can withstand some decent wind (nothing crazy like in a hurricane - we will be using it at Long Island and Outer Banks beaches) and that is reasonably portable. I don't mind spending a few extra dollars for something that will be convenient and will both work properly and last. If an umbrella that does not come with some type of built-in anchor, separate anchor suggestions are appreciated too.

Thanks in advance - this site is always such a great resource for product advice!
Tommy Bahama  
Sec 103 : 6/26/2017 10:09 am : link
tilting and telescoping umbrella with a nice anchor is working well for me.
If you have a Costco card  
aimrocky : 6/26/2017 10:31 am : link
they have the Tommy Bahama collection (umbrella, chairs, push cart). Not too expensive and good quality.
I went the other way - got sick of expensive umbrella fails...  
x meadowlander : 6/26/2017 10:34 am : link
...every year, I buy a pair of ALDI's umbrellas - they're out now, inexpensive, built in screw and folding bottom, they provide good SPF protection, and they're designed to flip inside out if the wind gets nuts, preventing damage to the umbrella or worse - the flying-death-umbrella. I always have a half-dozen on hand.

They last about 5 years under heavy use - and we are heavy users.

Sportbrella XL  
BigBlue2112 : 6/26/2017 10:51 am : link
Worth every penny. Got it at Dick's for around 60 bucks. can fit 3 people under it. UPF 50 rated.

Are the Tommy Bahamas Better?  
Samiam : 6/26/2017 11:05 am : link
I've had a few over the years and thought they were cheap; they did not handle the wind well. I've been looking for something that will last more than a year or two and can handle a moderate wind. Are the Tommy Bahamas better than they were a few years ago?
RE: Sportbrella XL  
TEPLimey : 6/26/2017 11:06 am : link
In comment 13511492 BigBlue2112 said:
Quote:
Worth every penny. Got it at Dick's for around 60 bucks. can fit 3 people under it. UPF 50 rated.

The reviews on Amazon say that the old Sportsbrella (2015) is awesome and that the new "updated" models are garbage.
This base  
TEPLimey : 6/26/2017 11:07 am : link
seems to have pretty good reviews on multiple sites and might be easier than a standard screw-anchor...
Beach BUB base - ( New Window )
Has unlimited access to endless sources of knowledge and data.  
Brown Recluse : 6/26/2017 11:10 am : link

Uses that access to visit sports web site for beach umbrella suggestions
a beach tent!!  
giantfan2000 : 6/26/2017 11:56 am : link
was out in rockaways yesterday with this one .. it is great

Pacific Breeze Easy Up Beach Tent - ( New Window )
RE: Tommy Bahama  
mattlawson : 6/26/2017 3:27 pm : link
In comment 13511456 Sec 103 said:
Quote:
tilting and telescoping umbrella with a nice anchor is working well for me.


I have one of these and the base is great. The top is ok. I have another bigger umbrella with more spokes that I will recommend
Bayside21.com  
mattlawson : 6/26/2017 3:30 pm : link
They are legit
RE: Has unlimited access to endless sources of knowledge and data.  
Ron Johnson 30 : 6/26/2017 3:50 pm : link
In comment 13511521 Brown Recluse said:
Quote:

Uses that access to visit sports web site for beach umbrella suggestions


haha, same thought
personal (pseudo) recs are  
mattlawson : 6/26/2017 4:42 pm : link
great too, from like minded individuals.
RE: I went the other way - got sick of expensive umbrella fails...  
Gatorade Dunk : 6/26/2017 4:43 pm : link
In comment 13511471 x meadowlander said:
Quote:
...every year, I buy a pair of ALDI's umbrellas - they're out now, inexpensive, built in screw and folding bottom, they provide good SPF protection, and they're designed to flip inside out if the wind gets nuts, preventing damage to the umbrella or worse - the flying-death-umbrella. I always have a half-dozen on hand.

They last about 5 years under heavy use - and we are heavy users.

They last five years and you keep six on hand at any given time? Just want to make sure you have a solid 30 years of beach time in your future should you find yourself in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where you can no longer buy an umbrella?
I gave up the battle with umbrellas on the beach last year.  
GiantFilthy : 6/26/2017 4:48 pm : link
This is how Camp Filthy rolls now. Live large, homie. Up and down in no time. Can even add on a shade wall that you can move to whichever side the sun is come in.
Coleman 10 x 10 Instant Sun Shelter - ( New Window )
RE: I gave up the battle with umbrellas on the beach last year.  
BrettNYG10 : 6/26/2017 4:51 pm : link
In comment 13511952 GiantFilthy said:
Quote:
This is how Camp Filthy rolls now. Live large, homie. Up and down in no time. Can even add on a shade wall that you can move to whichever side the sun is come in. Coleman 10 x 10 Instant Sun Shelter - ( New Window )


$146? Not all of us are that rich.
RE: a beach tent!!  
trueblueinpw : 6/26/2017 5:05 pm : link
In comment 13511582 giantfan2000 said:
Quote:
was out in rockaways yesterday with this one .. it is great Pacific Breeze Easy Up Beach Tent - ( New Window )


This thing is the bees knees! Tent is the only way to go.
RE: RE: I gave up the battle with umbrellas on the beach last year.  
GiantFilthy : 6/26/2017 6:01 pm : link
In comment 13511957 BrettNYG10 said:
Quote:
In comment 13511952 GiantFilthy said:


Quote:


This is how Camp Filthy rolls now. Live large, homie. Up and down in no time. Can even add on a shade wall that you can move to whichever side the sun is come in. Coleman 10 x 10 Instant Sun Shelter - ( New Window )



$146? Not all of us are that rich.

Sometimes we need to sacrifice some things to save up for luxuries and as parents we have the opportunity to only sacrifice our kid's things.
If you can't handle the Sun  
AnnapolisMike : 6/26/2017 7:11 pm : link
Get off my beach. Those tents and big canopies are an eyesore, especially when they are set up close to the water. They impede the views of the water of others to boot. God forbid Filthy's canopy gets hit with a big gust of wind and takes out half the beach.

Get a regular umbrella and one of those things that screw into the sand.

If you have to use a cart to bring in all your shit...you have too much shit.
We also prefer a beach tent  
jpennyva : 6/26/2017 8:58 pm : link
It doesn't blow away and we have continuous shade. We do, however, keep in mind the issue of blocking other people's views and tend to set up toward the back of the beach but still within view of the shore to keep an eye on the kid.
Any other beach tents to recommend aside from Filthy?  
Rover : 6/26/2017 9:31 pm : link
We go to Hatteras Island, & believecme an umbrella WILL NOT WORK THERE!
RE: If you can't handle the Sun  
GiantFilthy : 6/27/2017 8:06 am : link
In comment 13512049 AnnapolisMike said:
Quote:
God forbid Filthy's canopy gets hit with a big gust of wind and takes out half the beach.

It's important to not be tarded and attach these at each leg.

Bunch of amateurs  
Diver_Down : 6/27/2017 8:34 am : link
with the umbrellas. One surefire way to tell the tourists from the regulars is to spy those struggling with the umbrella. You also don't need to get the brand name shade canopy with designer weight bags - just don't settle for the cheap Wally World pop-up canopy. Most everyone has access to sand bags for counterweights. Just fill the sand from the beach and dump when you are done. If you don't have sand bags, just use plastic grocery bags. Fill with sand and a couple for each leg of the canopy and you are good to go. To hell with those whose view is obstructed. If they want a better view, then get to the beach earlier. We usually set up a couple together and bring the grill for a whole day.
So  
Rover : 6/28/2017 2:39 pm : link
Last year we bought something from ACE in Avon, forget the brand.
It worked well but was hard to set up & take apart & ended up breaking.
Based on your suggestions we are looking at:

1) Coleman 10x10 https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-10-Instant-Sun-Shelter/dp/B0038XPNPS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498057826&sr=8-2&keywords=coleman+beach+canopy

2) Quest 10x10 https://www.amazon.com/Quest-Slant-Instant-Recreational-Canopy/dp/B01GWD17VY

3) EZUP Gold
(ethier VISTA/GOLD/DOME/Or Vantage)
https://www.ezup.com/shelters/shelters-by-use/fun-in-the-sun.html

We don't want to waste money & buy something too elobrate. The most important thing though is that it can stand the winds on Hatteras & will be easy to set up & break apart daily.
Rover -  
Diver_Down : 6/28/2017 2:57 pm : link
I didn't go to your links, but the key elements with beach canopies are a durable gauge steel, a top vent in the canopy (If not, you might as well attach a sail to steel tubes), and the use of counterweights. Don't bother with the string and stakes that will come with it. Those are adequate if you are setting up in an inland park with dense soil to hammer the stakes into, but forget about sand holding any stake. Use the fancy counterweights that Filthy showed or make use of bags of sand.
DD  
Rover : 6/28/2017 6:59 pm : link
Did you like Filthys link?
Rover -  
Diver_Down : 6/28/2017 7:26 pm : link
I just went to Filthy's link (I presume that is the same model that you are referencing in your choice list). It looks good to me. It's a little pricey, but not bad. The Comfort Grip in raising the canopy looks great. Couple of years ago, I was putting up a canopy that didn't have such a luxury and ended up getting pinched causing a blood blister. I'm definitely more mindful of such features as it puts a damper on the day and the next couple.
Thanks DD  
Rover : 6/28/2017 7:31 pm : link
So it has the durable gauge steel you suggested?
RE: Thanks DD  
Diver_Down : 6/28/2017 8:07 pm : link
In comment 13514266 Rover said:
Quote:
So it has the durable gauge steel you suggested?


Definitely. The EZ-Up Canopy have some of the cheapest gauge steel. They are lightweight and easy to pop up for farmer market vendors and the like, but are not suited for the beach. You don't have to worry about the Coleman. On weekends here in St. Augustine, I can drive down the beach after a weekend and pick-up all the junked canopies that failed. Toss them in the back and pass the scrap yard on my way home. Easy gas money.
No further suggestions  
TEPLimey : 6/29/2017 11:54 am : link
on actual umbrellas? I understand the appeal of the canopy, but the wife wants an umbrella.
RE: RE: If you can't handle the Sun  
Rover : 6/29/2017 9:39 pm : link
In comment 13512288 GiantFilthy said:
Quote:
In comment 13512049 AnnapolisMike said:


Quote:


God forbid Filthy's canopy gets hit with a big gust of wind and takes out half the beach.


It's important to not be tarded and attach these at each leg.


Do you have a specific product name or link?
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