We are all aware of the discomfort and potential long-term health consequences associated with sunburns. The traditional beach umbrella or even a homemade tarp are easy solutions for a sunny beach day, but to shield yourself from the sun’s damaging UV rays you will need a sturdier and more reliable option, such as a tent. Moreover, beach tents can be used to keep all your possessions hidden while enjoying the waves.
Important Factors to Consider
A well-chosen sunscreen is frequently used to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful effects and to assist in lowering the risk of skin cancer. But none of these is “waterproof”. Plus, to remain effective, they must be reapplied; otherwise, their defence may deteriorate or wash away while being used. So, for maximum sun protection and an ultimate beach experience, shop for a sturdy beach tent made of durable fabrics instead.
Furthermore, beach tents improve children’s safety at the beach. The interior of the tent provides a free-sand space that would otherwise be eaten or end up in your baby’s eyes. An attractive design, on the other hand, that is quite apparent due to its height, width, and vibrant colours even on a crowded beach that is packed with people, towels, and umbrellas will serve as a helpful visual anchor for older kids not to get lost.
If properly made, tents for the beach can offer a lot of seclusion on the sand. Since the need for a diaper change, nursing session, or wardrobe change is never far away, they can function as the perfect “home base” for families to store and organize their belongings.
However, with a wide range of options available, these days, buying the right tent for your beach needs may be intimidating. To choose right, take into account the following considerations.
Common Types
How simple it is to set up camp on the beach and how much sun protection you receive will depend on the style of tent you use.
In this regard, a continuous pole pop-up beach tent has connected poles that do not require assembly or disassembly. In contrast, it’s intended to collapse when twisted in a specific manner. This makes it simple to disassemble and store in its carry case. You only need to untwist the tent to set it up as it practically pitches itself.
Hybrid types, on the other hand, have retractable poles attached to a string. To pitch it you’ll only need to pull on the string and the tent pops up.
With walls on three sides and an open fourth side that faces the ocean, classic tents for the beach provide the most privacy and protection. There may be a door on the fourth side that you can close and lock if necessary or desired. Moreover, this design blocks out the wind, rain, and sun, without hindering your view.
If you look for an affordable tent option, umbrella tents are your best bet. They are positioned and assembled like a typical beach umbrella, but with additional material extending down the edges to offer additional shade, like an umbrella mullet. But, unlike mullets, the umbrella variants can be easily blown away by severe winds.
Size
The footprint of the tent, or how much room it occupies, should be taken into account when determining the size of your beach tent, especially if you want to set it up on a crowded beach. A tent with a smaller footprint is a far more convenient option. Larger tents, however, may be effective on a deserted beach. Additionally, your ideal pick needs to be big enough to fit your entire beach party. Size accordingly.
Purpose
Choosing the right shelter will be determined by its purpose. The number of people it can hold, and the weather are important factors here. More people can fit in larger tents, but on a windy beach, their height and wider footprint can make them unusable. If your goal is to keep your youngster secure in the shade, a small or children’s beach sun shelter works best. Additionally, some designs merely have a roof to provide beach shade, while others have three walls to provide wind and sun protection while still allowing you to see the ocean.
Transport and Ease of Use
To enjoy your time in the sand and water instead of battling with your sun shelter, find a design that is simple to set up and take down, such as a pop-up beach tent. These typically fold into small, manageable bundles that are simple to load into your car and transport to your beach location. You should examine the tent’s weight and packed dimensions as well because some tents can be larger or heavier than others, especially if you have to carry the tent a fair distance to get to your normal place.
Level of Weather Protection
The majority of beach tents are constructed from UV-blocking fabric. However, just like standard sunscreen, different models have different ratings for UV protection. The fabric they are made of must have a UPF rating of 50 or higher to provide optimum UV protection.
Therefore, a three-sided tent for beach provides better defence against powerful gusts of wind and flying sand. On windy or particularly hot days, tents with mesh windows, panels, or air/wind vents may be recommended. When the wind comes up, mesh windows or vents can open or close to reduce tension on the tent walls.
When you want more privacy or protection, some models include removable windows. Even when you are sitting under a sun canopy, you may still be exposed to UV radiation because seafoam and beach sand can reflect up to 25% of the sun’s UV rays. So, to further protect you from UV rays reflected by the sea and sand, some tents come with extra sides.
Some designs even have inside built-in pockets that are ideal for storing trinkets and keeping important goods sand-free. Sand can fall through mesh pockets as opposed to accumulating in difficult-to-clean corners. If you want a place to relax and enjoy the sun without touching the hot sand, search for a tent floor or groundsheet that extends past the walls of your beach shelter.
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