EZ Up Tent Review

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The EZ Up tent is one of the most popular canopy tents used at craft shows. When I was in the market to buy my portable canopy, I did a lot of research and finally narrowed my choices down to either an EZ Up canopy or a Caravan Canopy.

Many crafters say they like the EZ Up tent because it really does live up to its name in that it is very easy to put up. With a bit of practice you can even put it up by yourself (very helpful if you don't have someone to help you at your craft shows). The EZ Up canopy packs up compactly and comes with a roller bag, which makes it easy to transport.

EZ Up canopies come in several different models, so be sure to choose one that fits your needs. Remember, the cheapest model may not end up being the most cost effective model if it does not suit your needs; you'll just end up going out and buying yet another canopy. Some things to look for are:

• 10x10 canopy
  Standard craft show booth dimensions are 10x10, so this size of canopy will allow you to make the most of your space in most situations.
  
  
• Straight Legs
  Most EZ Up models have straight legs, but a few have splayed legs. Canopy tents with splayed legs may measure 10x10 at the base, but because the legs angle in at the top, the top of the canopy is smaller than 10x10. That means, if you intend to keep all of your items under the canopy, you will not be able to make full use of the space you are provided with at craft shows.
  
  
• Color
  A white canopy tent is generally ideal for craft shows. Any other color can impact the appearance of your items under the tent and can make your display appear quite dark an unappealing.
  
  
• Side Walls
  Zippered side walls can be a life saver in rainy conditions, and they can provide much needed shade on very sunny days. A side wall placed at the back of your tent can help you to hide any mess (i.e. your lunch cooler, tool box, change of clothes, and all the other necessities you bring to a craft show) from customers walking behind your booth, and four walls can provide you with the freedom to leave some of your large display items (like tables) overnight if you'd rather not pack up everything on multi-day shows.
  
  
• Wheeled Carrying Case
  The better models of canopy tents are heavier, so a wheeled carrying case will allow you to easily transport your tent from your vehicle to your booth location. It will also protect your canopy tent and prevent it from getting dirty when it is being stored or transported.

People who use the EZ Up canopy generally report that they are very happy with this brand. The one concern some people have mentioned is that the carrying case sometimes does not stand up to repeated use. So, you may want to do your best to be gentle with your carrying case.

While the EZ Up canopy is very commonly used by professional crafters in the United States, it can be difficult to find outside of the US. After doing a lot of research on portable canopies for craft shows, I was ready to buy an EZ Up tent. However, I live in Canada, and I quickly discovered that I could not find EZ Up tents for sale in Canada, and the duty charges to import one from the US would be quite high. For anyone who lives outside of the US, I'd recommend looking at the Caravan Canopy (which is what I have). They are very similar to EZ Ups, and they are widely available outside the US.

If you want to buy an EZ Up tent, there are several sources you may want to check out. You can often find EZ Ups at Sam's Club, so if you already have a membership, you may want to check that out. You can also buy your EZ Up canopy online from several retailers.

Do read the specifications carefully to ensure you are getting a real EZ Up tent. Some people who sell cheaper brands try to piggyback on the EZ Up name by calling their tents "EZ to set up" or "Easy Up tent." So read carefully to ensure you are getting what you want.

Although I buy the vast majority of my craft business supplies online, when I was buying my craft canopy, I initially assumed that the shipping fees would make it unreasonable to buy my canopy online. I was wrong. I live in a small town that is an hour's drive from any stores that might sell craft canopies. Once I factored in the price of gas for the round trip to those stores (not to mention the travel time), the shipping fees ended up being comparable to the price of gas for me to make the trip myself. So, depending on your location, buying your EZ Up canopy online, may be a cost effective option for you.

Three places that sell the EZ Up tent online are:

Dick Blick:
E-Z Up Express II Sun Shelter (all of the craft show canopies at Dick Blick are listed under their outdoor studio section.)
Buy.com:
E-Z Up Expess II 10' x 10' with Roller Bag-White and E-Z Up Express II Sidewalls
Amazon:
Embassy 10' X 10' Canopy EZ Up Instant Shelter With Awning & 4 Zippered Sides
EZ - Up 10x10' Embassy II

Again, be sure to read all of the specifications to ensure the canopy meets your needs and you're getting exactly what you want.

 
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