Beach Shades: What are your options?

At first glance, choosing the best beach shade might seem straightforward. Should you go with a traditional umbrella or a basic pop-up beach tent? Well, not so fast. Thanks to advancements in the world of beach shade, we no longer have to settle for these old-fashioned options. Recent innovations including shades with a wind-supported fabric “sail” provide additional benefits including enhanced safety, comfort, and ease of use.

With several new types of shade on the market, you may be wondering which beach shade is best for you. Well, ShoreShade has you covered! We have identified five important factors to consider when selecting the best beach shade for you. We guarantee you’ll happily say goodbye to your grandpa’s old umbrella or that broken down beach tent.

Factor 1: Set-Up Time

Set-up time can vary significantly between beach shade types. Some shade options contain multiple parts that require lengthy assembly before they can be used. Common components like tarps, tent poles, and sandbags add unnecessary time and hassle to the set-up process while taking away from your valuable beach time. Some options like multi-legged tents can even require two or more people to set up properly. These options are not ideal for solo beachgoers or families with small children.

For those looking to make the most of their family beach trip, consider a shade with few components and little to no assembly. This will ensure that you minimize set up time while maximizing your vacation and family time.

At ShoreShade, we believe setting up your beach shade should be quick and easy. That is why the ShoreShade requires no assembly and can be set-up by one person in under one minute.

Factor 2: Safety

It is no secret that the beach can be windy. In fact, the consistency of wind near oceans and other large bodies of water has popularized the use of sunshades that feature a wind-supported fabric “sail.” Such shades generally lack a rigid structure and instead provide shade by floating a lightweight piece of fabric above the ground. Importantly, without a rigid structure, these shades are unlikely to blow away during instances of high winds. However, the same cannot be said of traditional umbrellas and many pop-up tents, as several umbrella-related beach accidents have occurred due to high winds.

Danger is not normally at the top of your mind while on vacation, nor should it be. However, as noted above, certain beach shades with rigid structures or screw-like anchor systems can become unsafe during instances of high wind. These features are present on most traditional beach umbrellas, making them a less than ideal choice from a safety perspective.

Fortunately, not all beach shades rely on these components. Many beach shades featuring a wind-supported fabric sail lack a rigid structure and the problematic screw-like anchor system. Given this, these shades can be a great option for beachgoers prioritizing safety.

Factor 3: Reliability & Versatility

It is easy to see the many benefits of a sunshade with a wind supported fabric sail. These shades are a great option due to their lightweight nature, potential safety advantages, and ability to function effectively even in light winds. But what if there is no wind at all?

This is a great question, as certain wind supported sunshades rely on wind to function properly. Although the beach is windy most of the time, some wind supported sunshades become unusable without enough wind. We discussed that traditional umbrellas and pop-up tents are not well suited for high-wind environments, and certain wind supported sunshades rely on wind to function properly. Is there another option? You bet there is!

The ShoreShade is equipped with dual functionality and can provide you with shade even when there is no wind. At ShoreShade, we know that vacations are often planned well in advance, and the future can be unpredictable. Even forecasts from weather experts are only right about half the time, so it is important to choose a beach shade that can function in varying wind conditions.

Factor 4: User Experience

Everyone wants to feel happy and relaxed while on vacation. This is easy when you choose the right beach shade. The overall user experience including ease of use, comfort, and privacy are important things to consider when choosing the best beach shade for you. Is there a beach shade that checks all these boxes?

For a pop-up beach tent, privacy and ease of use are key benefits. However, these benefits come at the expense of comfort and visibility. A common complaint of many pop-up beach tents is that their enclosed nature causes poor air flow, leaving you feeling hot and stuffy during sunny weather (when you are most likely to be using your shade). From this perspective, enclosed beach tents are a poor choice for those looking to stay cool and comfortable while at the beach.

When considering air flow, a beach shade with a wind-supported sail is a great option. These shades have the unique benefit of allowing you to enjoy the shade while giving you enough air flow to remain cool and comfortable. However, not all beach shades in this category are created equal.

The arch like design of some wind-supported sunshades can require repeated adjustments to align with the changing direction of the wind. Additionally, the design of such shades provides you with only a small tunnel of visibility, preventing you from seeing much of your surroundings. This makes shades with this arch-like design a poor choice for those who enjoy unobstructed views, especially parents or grandparents looking to enjoy the comfort of shade while keeping an eye on their little ones from afar.