ABO Gear Tripod Shelter

by ABO Gear

Product Features

• Spacious sun shelter with triangular design collapses into convenient backpack carrying bag
• Entire portable structure weighs less than 10 pounds
• Constructed of 150D, PU-coated nylon
• For maximum stability in windy conditions, shelter includes conical sand pockets, pegs, and guy ropes
• Tripod shelter is 12 feet to a side with eight-foot center height

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Enjoy the great outdoors while remaining almost totally protected from the sun's harmful UV rays with the Tripod Shelter from ABO Gear. The tripod shelter is easily erected, durable, and stands up to even the strongest winds, offering users shade and protection from the elements. The entire structure weighs less than 10 pounds, and collapses down into a convenient carrying back with backpack-style straps. The shelter's triangular design measures 12 feet to a side and has a center height of eight feet, creating a spacious interior for the whole family to enjoy. Constructed of 150D, PU-coated nylon, the shelter features adjustable webbing tension strap and heavy-duty shock-corded poles. For maximum stability in windy conditions, the tripod sun shelter additionally includes conical sand pockets, pegs, and guy ropes.

UV Protection Tips

• Avoid outdoor activities in the middle of the day when the sun is highest
• Choose outdoor areas shaded from direct sun and open sky
• Wear well-designed clothing that covers the body, arms, and legs
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat which shades the face, ears, and back of the neck
• Wear well-designed sunglasses
• Use at least SPF15 sunscreen
• Cover up young children

About ABO Gear
ABO (Australian Beach Outdoor) began in 1995, with the humble goal of finding a solution to the common beach towel. The company called its first product the ABO mat--an oversized cotton mat with four stakes to prevent it from blowing away in the wind which folded into a convenient fanny pack. This initial product launch led to other popular items, such as beach tents, picnic blankets, beach hammocks, and more. In developing new products, the company's first aim is always to create gear that minimizes ABO's carbon footprint. ABO gear remains a fast-growing company with products in the beach, outdoor, pet, gift, and travel goods market.

Product Description

The Tripod's triangular shape give cover and protection from the elements but allowing maximum ventilation. The fabric is made from 150D PU coated nylon and adjustable webbing tension straps and heavy-duty shock-corded poles. The Tripod includes conical sand pockets, pegs and guy ropes for extra stability in stronger winds.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 10.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001GAPNA0
• Item model number: 10275
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,472 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)
  • #48 in Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Camping & Hiking > Camping Shelters

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There is one right way to do it, August 1, 2008

By 

Jet Pilot (Baden, PA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

To anyone who complained about how difficult it is to set up, Eagle Scout or not, I can only say that you're not doing it the right way. Or you're too weak to do it. Either way, if it's done right, it's no harder than tying boots snugly.

Hint: when you're ready to bow the 1st pole, set the ferruled end on the ground, vertically between your feet while you're standing up and making sure no dirt can fill it (I set it on a sandal instead of right on the dirt). Pull the fabric down systematically, until the ring passes the ferruled end. Grab the fabric and the pole about 2-3 inches from the end with one hand like you're choking it, making sure the fabric does not slide out again. Lift the pole off the ground so you can see what you're doing. With the other hand, slide the pin into the pole. It's that easy. Repeat the process for the 2nd and 3rd poles.

It took me less than 20 minutes from start to finish, all by myself. The key is to plant the ferruled end of the pole securely on the ground while you work the fabric with both of your free hands.

It's the best shade I've ever bought. The other shade that I own, a 10'x10' type, weighs 50 lbs and is quite large in a package, compared to this 11-lbs shade that fits in a small nylon sack. The 2008 model comes with heavy-duty poles which is an improvement to the smaller diameter poles of the earlier model. There is no way these poles will split, unlike the earlier version, as reported by some.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "alien" canopy, July 26, 2008

By 

lori-belle (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews

Three years ago I bought two of these tripod canopies when I found them on sale. We have used them during our two-week beach trips for those three years. They aren't as simple as those basic rectangular shelters we see up and down the beach, but ours seem to be more durable... and they certainly catch the eye! They look a bit like weird alien spaceships, but that's part of their charm.

The issue of durability is second only to the sun protection for me. (The 50 SPF was a huge selling point.) Every year we set up a canopy (or two) on the beach the day we arrive and leave it up for two weeks. The shock-corded poles allow these things to really bounce around in the wind; many times I've seen them blown almost to the point of laying down on the sand, but until this summer they always popped right back up when the wind died. Sadly we lost one this past week in a couple of days of fierce and constant winds. It didn't come down, but the poles split and the sharp edges tore through the fabric. We took down the second canopy to keep it intact (first time in three years of typical beach thunderstorms!)

I did put up this crazy shelter by myself once, but it really requires two people to handle it, especially in a breeze. The instructions are simple and can be kept in a clear pocket on the carry bag.

I would recommend using a little WD-40 on the silver/metal parts to keep them from rusting if you're using it near the ocean.

I definitely got my money's worth out of the Tripod, and we have enjoyed using it. I might look for something a bit smaller that I can put up myself, but I doubt we'll find anything as durable as these have been.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars ABO Gear Tripod Shelter - Good not Great, July 22, 2007

By 

Eric Barker "Wolfbane" (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Just went on vacation to the beach with the ABO Gear Tripod Shelter.
1. Setup is a pain, especially in the wind - ABO Gear 'Kite.' Third shock-corded pole is very difficult to put in because of the tension of the other two poles. Takes someone with some strength to coerce it into place.
2. Once it's up and secured with the sand weighted pockets it does provide some nice shade. On a few days, the wind was more intense so we had to use the ropes/stakes provided.
3. Tear down was more of a pain than setup. As you pull the shock-corded poles out of the shelter they come apart and get stuck in the seamless sleeves. Very frustrating in the hot sun.
4. Very lightweight and small package for lugging around.

All in all, it looks really cool when it is up. We also had one of the pop-up 10x10 $50 tents with our group. Takes about 1-2 minutes to setup and does provide a bit more shade. In high winds you will still need to stake these down. If you can handle the weight of carrying one these to the beach, they were much easier to set up.