Going to the beach on those scorching hot summer days to get your tan is always good. However, you need to make sure you stay well protected by using either a beach tent or an umbrella. While both of these will make sure you can rest in the shade, you need to make the right choice. Is a beach tent or umbrella better?
If you’re visiting the beach for only a few hours, a beach umbrella would be your best bet, as it is quick to assemble and disassemble. If you plan to spend the whole day on the lovely beach sand, a beach tent will offer you more benefits, such as privacy, while protecting you from the weather.
In this article, we will assist you in how you can choose a suitable beach shelter to fit your needs. Whether an umbrella or beach tent is right for you will depend on several factors. Continue reading with us to find out!
Beach Tent Or Umbrella: Weather Resistance Comparison
Because the beach is an open environment, the wind will be blowing almost constantly. The thing most beach goers are most concerned about is the constant sun exposure at the beach. You will need to protect yourself from the weather elements with a suitable beach shelter.
Below, we will compare a beach tent and umbrella based on how well they will react against the harsh weather elements you can expect at the beach:
Beach Tent Vs. Umbrella: Shade
A beach tent can effortlessly provide up to 5 people with shade. However, one downside to a beach tent is that it could become very humid inside on hot days.
If you want to prevent the heat from building up in a beach tent, it is strongly advised that you stay away from the beach during the hottest time of the day, which is usually around 12:00-14:00, and return in the late afternoon.
On the other hand, a beach umbrella will provide shade to about two to three people. You can adjust the beach umbrella according to the sun’s direction, making them very versatile and adaptable.
However, a beach umbrella will provide insufficient shade compared to a beach tent.
Beach Tent Vs. Umbrella: Wind Resistance
A beach tent will offer you the best protection from the wind. Because it is closed from all sides, it will withstand the coldest winds.
It is also strong and sturdy to withstand harsh winds you may encounter at the beach. Its sandbags, guy lines, and stakes help the beach tent significantly to withstand strong winds.
A beach umbrella will not offer you the same kind of wind protection compared to a beach tent.
However, a beach umbrella will still be able to withstand harsh winds without breaking, and some of the new models can withstand winds of up to 21mph.
Beach Tent Vs. Umbrella: Rain Protection
Most beach tents and umbrellas are water-resistant, and they would be able to protect you from light showers.
When it comes to a beach tent, they will offer much more protection from the rain, as it is a closed structure, unlike a beach umbrella.
Additionally, all beach tents come with a floor that acts as a barrier between the inside of the tent and the wet sand of the beach.
A beach umbrella may be water-resistant, but it is an open structure, making them unsuitable for rainy days at the beach.
So, if you see that there is any chance of rain in the forecast, it would be your best choice to take a beach tent with you on your adventure to the beach!
Beach Tent Or Umbrella: Comfortability Comparison
As you are now more familiar with the type of protection you can expect from a beach tent and umbrella, you may want to know about the comfortability of these two beach shelters. The comfortability is factors like privacy, ease of set up and anchoring, as well as ventilation and room.
Let’s take a closer look at these factors to help you with your choice:
Beach Tent Or Umbrella: Privacy
If you’re visiting the beach with your friends, family, or children, you would want some privacy.
You need the ideal place where you can spend some time alone, relax, change your swimsuits and feed your children. A beach tent will provide you with this well-needed privacy.
If you prefer a half-some beach tent, you can close it from three sides and open it again from the front. Its extendable floor can be raised, with the window shades being closed for extra privacy.
On the other hand, a beach umbrella would not do much for privacy, as it is open from all sides.
So, if you’re going on a beach adventure with your family and small kids, it is advised to take a beach tent with you.
Beach Tent Or Umbrella: Ease And Convenience Of Set Up
If you’re after a beach shelter that will take you little to no time to assemble and set up, a beach umbrella would be your best choice by far.
If you usually visit the beach by yourself, you will easily be able to set up a beach umbrella yourself.
However, a beach tent is also not too challenging to set up. Two people will have almost no trouble setting one up on a windy beach day.
Both these two beach shelters are lightweight, compact, and highly portable.
Beach Tent Or Umbrella: Anchoring Difficulty
One of the concerns when it comes to a beach umbrella is security. We have all probably witnessed a beach umbrella flying away in the wind with people running after it.
You would not want this to happen to you, and chances are, your beach umbrella will get ruined by the wind once it takes flight.
Usually, a beach umbrella will feature a sharp spike at its bottom. This spike can be stabbed into the soil or sand. Many beachgoers think this will secure a beach umbrella, but it takes more effort.
After stabbing the umbrella’s spike into the soil or sand, it is advised to put all your weight on top and secure it even more by rocking it back and forth.
Ideally, you have to be roughly one or two feet deep into the sand to make sure your beach umbrella won’t fly away in rougher winds.
People will generally find it much easier to anchor a beach tent than a beach umbrella. Because setting up a beach tent will require more effort than just sticking a beach umbrella in the sand, people will tend to pay more attention to the process.
The best way to anchor a beach tent would be by using both pegs and stakes. If possible, you can throw a mallet into the beach tent bag and take it with you to the beach. You can then use the mallet to get deep inside the sand.
The deeper you place your beach tent in the sand, the more wind resistance your beach tent will become.
Beach Tent Or Umbrella: Room And Ventilation
A beach umbrella will offer you the best ventilation, but it doesn’t have much room underneath. A beach tent is a closed structure, which means it will not provide you with much ventilation, but it will offer you some more space and shade to put your things.
Most beach tents have nig doors on two sides, which will allow for some ventilation if you open them. It also allows you to have a great view of the beach.
Some beach tents also have mesh windows, which allow for fresh air to circulate. A big pop-up beach tent will easily be able to accommodate up to three adults on beach chairs.
If the front door is open, there would be more than enough room for your head as well.
So, a beach tent would be your best bet if you’re looking for sufficient ventilation and space to enjoy the perfect day at the beach!
What To Look For In A Beach Tent And Umbrella
When it comes to choosing between a beach tent and an umbrella, there are some things you need to keep in mind. There are three essential factors to consider, and if you keep them in mind, you are sure to make the best choice:
Materials
Some of the best quality beach umbrellas and tents are manufactured with materials that last all day, during all kinds of weather conditions, and ideally throughout all the seasons.
You need to choose a material that will not rip, rag, or stretch after getting into contact with salt and sand. It should also be thick enough to block out any harmful UV rays as you relax in the shade between swims or tanning sessions.
You will also need to look for durable materials such as wood and fiberglass for poles and frames instead of flimsy plastic.
Shade Coverage
It would be helpful to look for a beach umbrella or canopy that will offer you a range of shade coverage. This includes the traditional circular beach tents and umbrellas that come with adjustable hinges.
This way, you will be able to tilt your beach umbrella towards the sun at the perfect angle, with flaps to create a small canopy effect.
A beach tent will provide you with more shade, which is ideal if you want to steer clear of the sun while still enjoying a great day at the beach.
Anchor Properties
A durable and solidly constructed canopy is only the first aspect of choosing the best beach umbrella available.
You will also need to consider how a beach umbrella is anchored into the sand, and your aim should be to identify the best umbrella that will stay up during the day, even in the windiest conditions.
Most beach umbrellas are anchored by their pole, where you need to drill their spike into the sand as far as you can.
Some high-end beach umbrellas have a built-in sand anchor, while others may require you to purchase them separately.
For a beach tent, it is advised that you purchase one that anchors by using sandbags along with traditional stakes.
Is A Beach Tent Or Umbrella Better For The Beach?
Whether a beach tent or umbrella would be better for you at the beach depends on the coverage you require and the level of protection you want from the sun. a beach tent will protect you from the sun.
It will serve as a very efficient barrier against any sand or debris that may be blowing around when the winds start to get rough. Beach tents also have the most secure structure and design and are more resistant to wind than a beach umbrella.
Additionally, they offer users a level of privacy that a beach umbrella simply cannot match.
However, if you’re a casual beachgoer and only visit the beach seldomly, a beach umbrella would be perfect for you. If you’re only spending a few hours on the shore, investing in a beach tent may not be worth the money.
A beach umbrella will offer you easy storage and a simple setup with a decent amount of shade for one person.
Both a beach umbrella and tent offer their own sets of features and benefits that the other will not provide.
Ultimately, the choice will come down to your preference as a beachgoer. If you spend loads of time on the beach and prefer to go with a large group of people, a beach tent will be worth every dollar.
Conclusion
If you’re visiting the beach with your family, a beach tent will be the better choice. It will not only provide you with privacy, but it will protect you from the wind, rain, and sun. This is also true for people who visit the beach regularly.
If you only visit the beach by yourself a few times a year, a beach umbrella would be the ideal choice, as you won’t need as much shade as a larger group of people.
Resources
- https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-beach-umbrella.html
- https://www.shelterlogic.com/knowledge/best-beach-tents-and-beach-shade-solutions-for-day-trips-and-vacations
- https://www.mensjournal.com/gear/ditch-the-umbrella-heres-your-better-beach-shelter-w495570/
- https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/ShowTopic-g30753-i354-k9631845-What_is_your_opinion_beach_umbrellas_or_beach_canopy-Orange_Beach_Alabama.html
- https://www.allure.com/story/beach-umbrella-sun-protection