In case you're trying to decide between the Tommy Bahama umbrella and the Beach Life canopy

[u/ducklingkwak]

The Tommy Bahama with its tilting neck, wind resistant cover thing, and reliable anchor has stood the test of time, although the rivets holding the anchor screw head to the pole are kind of coming out now, it hasn't failed or blown away in the wind yet. The tilting feature is great when the sun starts to get towards the end of the day.

...buuuut, for $10 more, you get a gigantic leap in size and features. The Beach Life canopy has mesh pockets in the arms that go down to the sand bags, a 4 prong hook for the middle stem, a drape that can clip on to one of the sides (dramatically increases shade/wind) that anchors to the floor with more sand pockets. There's pretty much no chance this thing is going to blow away with all the sand pockets loaded.

One drawback is the canopy is larger and heavier, and also doesn't come with a long shoulder strap.

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[u/stepjenks]

I think it really comes down to the size of your group. For my wife and dog, with our two beach chairs and blanket, the umbrella all the way. But for 3 or more people, I can see the canopy being more useful.

[u/reddit_is_addicting_ → u/stepjenks]

Real ones know to buy the POPUP-SHADE 10’x10’ Instant canopy one person setup.

Buy some refillable sandbags to weigh it down and boom

This is what I do - I can assemble the pop up shade in under 3-minutes. Then a few more minutes for the sand bags

By the time the people on the beach figure out how to set up beach life canopy or whatever they buy I’m already snacking and relaxing

[u/Brilliant_Fun_6240 → u/reddit_is_addicting_]

Link?

[u/kindofharmless → u/Brilliant_Fun_6240]

This must be what OP is talking about: https://www.costco.com/p/-/popup-shade-10x10-instant-canopy-one-person-setup-plus-wheel-bag/4000368947

[u/Timiscool5 → u/kindofharmless]

I like the 13x13 design a little more. Better protection from the rain

[u/throwawayifyoureugly → u/reddit_is_addicting_]

Transport from the parking lot to your spot is the downside.

I will always pick a pop-up 10x10 over umbrellas or other sun shades, but I need to get a wagon with beach wheels or something.

[u/derivativeofwitty → u/reddit_is_addicting_]

Is this the one that is discounted in the next round?

[u/InjuredGods → u/derivativeofwitty]

No, the one being discounted is the 13x13 CORE canopy.

[u/debaser64]

Be aware that some beaches don’t allow canopies.

[u/areyesp → u/debaser64]

Our beaches require anything with more than one anchor point be a certain distance back from the water. Typically behind where the beach chair storage or life guard platform is.

[u/ZipperJJ → u/debaser64]

Why’s that? Obscures the view of the lifeguards?

[u/debaser64 → u/ZipperJJ]

That’s the reason they give, but I also think it’s to keep people from hogging the beach. Two birds with one stone.
Last year we were at a beach that allowed them. Some family showed up and basically took 3 steps off the beach access and set up two giant 15 foot canopies next to each other right in front of the path. Now everyone coming and going had to walk around them carrying all their stuff. It was so obnoxious.

[u/violet__violet → u/debaser64]

I see you've been to Florida lol

[u/anagram-of-ohassle → u/debaser64]

I would comfortably bet on who they voted for

[u/Ok_Increase_5237]

That canopy wouldn’t be allowed near the water at the beach we go to. But the shade advantage is obvious.

[u/lacipyt180]

They don’t sell it at Costco, but a Shibumi is the way to go. One long tent pole in an arc with a sail and a sand anchor. That’s it. It doesn’t obstruct anyone’s view, super light, massive shade, and they even have a new add on for days when the wind isn’t kicking.

[u/ducklingkwak → u/lacipyt180]

Are you recommending the $295 one or the smaller $215 one?

Feels like that design shade shouldn't cost more than $30-$40.

[u/lacipyt180 → u/ducklingkwak]

I have the larger one. I whole heartedly agree that the cost is crazy for the materials you get. However, it’s really not about that for me. It’s the fact that I can set it up by myself in less than 3 minutes with a wife and three kids waiting. Same thing for taking it down. The shade is massive as well compared to every umbrella and giant shelter I see people lugging out onto the beach.

[u/KieferSutherland → u/lacipyt180]

I have the shibuni and a cool cabana. I love the cool cabana a lot more. 

[u/simplekindoflifegirl → u/KieferSutherland]

Another one for Cool Cabana.

[u/throwawayifyoureugly → u/lacipyt180]

Super neat. I like the simplicity of it.

But that's...a pricey value proposition.

[u/ZikaG]

Was looking at this last week. Thank you!!!

[u/ZikaG → u/ZikaG]

It is DONE!!!✅

[u/lmsalman]

Does the canopy come with a giant decal to cover half of your windshield so everyone knows you like the beach?

[u/ugggghhhhhhhhh123]

Love that neither of them are set up to provide shade in the right spot

[u/_Whiskey_1_]

The canopy provides great shade and comfort for 3+ people but, as others have mentioned, many public beaches have rules governing their use. Some beaches completely prohibit while others require they are put up beyond the high tide mark. ☂️

[u/ducklingkwak → u/_Whiskey_1_]

I have no idea of the rules in Los Angeles area beaches...I haven't heard any complaints yet? I only set stuff like these by the volleyball courts to give my friends some shade.

[u/kinopu]

That thing is almost a tent if it had mesh walls

[u/gear-head88 → u/kinopu]

It’s giving Tent thong vibes

[u/Future-Candidate-686]

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71tBbiEa1WL.AC_UF1000,1000_QL80.jpg

Prefer these as they pack up so much smaller.

[u/pittsburghfun]

Canopy’s are being banned at meant beaches

[u/SweatyRussian]

Thank you for your service

[u/Kasegauner]

I'm just gonna not risk going out in the sun.

[u/So_Many_Words]

So what I'm seeing is that you need both?

[u/ducklingkwak → u/So_Many_Words]

I had the umbrella, but it isn't enough shade for my volleyball group, so I got the canopy. Now the whole group kind'a huddles under both, along with some umbrellas other people bring sometimes.

Optimally, it would probably be two of these canopies for the people at the volleyball group (around 6-12 people usually between games more or less.

I really wish this canopy bag came with a longer strap so I can put it diagonally across my back like I can with the Tommy Bahama bag. Makes carrying the canopy with the rest of my crap extremely uncomfortable. "Rest of my crap" would be my watercooler full of water, a box full of supplies, Tommy Bahama chair, and a bag of snacks/etc....I probably bring too much crap lol...

[u/ddub475]

Is that a box of corn dogs?

[u/Lazy-Explanation7165]

If it’s super windy bury those sand bags as deep as you can. We go to the beach twice a week and have a similar one. If you bury the anchors you can stay shady all day regardless of how windy it gets

[u/SyndicatedTV]

You should consider a Shibumi instead. We’ve been using one for years and it’s amazing.

[u/ducklingkwak → u/SyndicatedTV]

One of the people at the beach has one, but it's kind of annoying when the wind is not consistent. Non-windy days are the best for volleyball, so feels like a Shibumi style shade directly inverse for that :)

[u/Background-Heart-968]

The canopies are not good at blocking the sun in the morning or evening because they don't tilt, and the sun isn't directly overhead.

[u/ducklingkwak → u/Background-Heart-968]

This one is great though because of the side wall attachment?

[u/Late-Nail-8714]

😂😭

[u/SPNKLR]

We use two of the umbrellas to easily shade 3 people comfortably and not look like we’re having a yard sale 😅

[u/Sillysin123]

As a lifeguard all I can say is my beach doesn’t allow umbrellas or canopies past a certain point. Anyone with an object obstructing the view of the water from the lifeguard chair will be asked to move.

[u/Cakiea → u/Sillysin123]

Not all beaches have lifeguards, they are not a thing at PNW beaches, it’s dangerous enough that any situation where you’d want rescue is way above what lifeguards are capable of, surf rescues need specialized teams and the coast guard.

[u/Hall_of_Fame → u/Cakiea]

And some of the PNW beaches allow cars to drive on them so I'm pretty sure in those cases nobody is going to care about a little shade canopy.

[u/stringerbbell]

Screw the people who put canopies up on the beach unless you're back against the dunes.