Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

We used our beach shelter today for the first time in San Diego, CA - had a few people actually stop and ask us where we got it. We didn't see another one (or any other type of beach tent) on the beach at all! Like the other reviews stated, it was easy to set up and easy to break down. Not as easy as popping up an umbrella, which is probably why there weren't any on the beach. I would say it took the two of us about 12 minutes to set up and about as much to break down (where an umbrella takes about 30 seconds) - next time it'll be quicker I'm sure, but even so it's well worth the small effort. The front zippered flap that folds out and lays flat does indeed have two spikes to hold it. I wonder if the other reviewer just got shorted. I can see also that the metal spikes could be easily lost in the sand, I'm sure our local REI can hook us up with some heavy duty plastic versions. Something not mentioned is that the mesh bag that the tent comes in has hooks built into it so that you can clip it to the inside top of the tent and use it as a pouch to store stuff off the ground. Very handy! We have two of those "Rio" brand beach chairs and were able to both sit inside the tent when we wanted to be in the shade. I looked at several different tents, and most of them cost twice as much. This tent was indeed a bargain and I highly recommend it.