Sun Tent

A camping tent or a tent in general is a pretty familiar concept to most people; however, you may not know what a sun tent is used for. Just as a regular tent works to keep you out of the elements and away from bugs and animals, a sun tent keeps the sun off of you. These sun canopy designs look similar to a camping tent yet they are especially designed for use in protection from the sun. They are relatively inexpensive and come in a variety of colors, designs and sizes.

The main difference among sun tents from camping or other kinds of tents is that they are not designed as shelter for long term or overnight use. They also do not provide the same type of protection that camping tents do. They are mainly designed to keep the sun off of you and as such, sun tents often come with an open faced design with no zip up door. Some models do not even have a floor and work by being propped up above an individual’s head to protect them from the sun. Other models are large enough for two people and there are some designed for children. While the vast majority of models are designed for one or two people, there are varieties that closely resemble camping tents that can fit up to eight people and have zip up doors and windows.

Prices for sun tents vary based on their size and manufacturer as well as the quality of their construction. Smaller shelters go for about 25 to 50 dollars whereas much larger models such as the 8-person tent mentioned can go for 80 to 100 dollars. Well known retailers of outdoor equipment that sell sun tents include Eddie Bower and REI. Both retailers carry innovative designs such as the ALPS Mountaineering tri-awning sun tent. Its tri-pod design sets up easily and protects up to three people from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Eddie Bower’s sun shelter looks more like a traditional two person camping tent except one corner has been cut away for easy access to the inside of the tent. The flooring extends out as if the other corner of the tent were there for seating in mild sunlight type weather. It comes with a convenient pocket on one wall of the tent to store miscellaneous items. This model folds down to fit in a convenient carrying bag and comes in Mediterranean blue.