Customer Reviews

Rio Sports Sun Shelter

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Considered this tent vs ABO Gear Instent. Decided to try the Rio because of low price, SPF50 and lightweight. Instent costs ~2x, weights about 2x, and is only SPF35. Although I would have liked the Instent's fuller coverage and easy set up feature, I didn't want its extra weight since I was going to use it on beach trips and wanted to cut down on weight I had to carry in/out.

Took this to NJ shore beaches. Set up was relatively straightforward. Two shorter and one longer tent poles. Longer one goes across the long axis (side to side). Shorter ones go vertically along two back spines. If you work with the wind, the tent will spread out and help you thread the poles through. If you are not familiar, practice once first.

Once the poles are in place, you need to put the stakes in. Also tie the nylon ties at the pole junctions for additional stability. You definitely need to use the four metal stakes in sand or grass in any kind of wind because the structure is light as a kite. In calm to moderate draft, it stands relatively well. But in an occasional to sustained gusty wind, typical at many beaches on a nice breezy summer day, the wind blowing from behind could buckle the poles and temporarily collapse the dome, which is not dangerous but annoying. The stakes did a good job holding down the tent (make sure you drive the stakes into the ground at an angle). I would not recommend facing the opening into the wind. Also even without the wind, sitting on a beach chair inside the dome, your head may rub the tent, depending on how deep inside you sit, because of the low dome shape. Not the worst thing but can be annoying sometimes.

Sun coverage depends on the angle of the sun and the direction it's facing. Because it is basically a half dome, you need to consider the combination of wind direction and sun's angle to see if you should even use it on any particular day. If the wind is blowing towards the sun then it's pretty much useless. If both sun and wind are from the same direction, then it's probably worth using. In between, you'll have to gauge.

My 3 yo son enjoyed playing around it, putting sand inside on the floor and in the two inside pockets and windows. But then kids will enjoy playing with almost any kind of tent structure. Don't expect mobile kids to stay put inside. This, and other tents like it, are best for babies and nursing mothers and people who want partial shade and wind break.

Material (nylon) feels a bit thin and the seams are single stitched so I expect them to rip after a while. Not for rugged use. The carrying bag/stuff sack will likely burst after a while unless you compress the tent and roll it tightly in a neat package. I can see the threads in the bag's seam as it is being stuffed.

But for ~$30-35, it's not a bad deal, as long as you don't have strong or kite-flying wind. Overall, I like it for its light weight and SPF50 and reasonable cost.

This is wonderful at the beach, but the setup is rather hard. It's so light that on windy days it can be quite challening to have it built while wrestling it from the wind. Which makes for a great show for others to watch as you struggle to create this shelter.

Once it's setup-it's awesome. Great for small kids to get out of the sun and to provide shelter for nap time and lunch breaks. The little windows are fun for kids to peek out of.

I highly recomend practice setups at home before taking to the beach

Ordered this for a trip to the Bahamas. Surprisingly light, but packing it back up was difficult was we were afraid to rip the think plastic sack. Directions were easy to follow and the inside pockets are good for keeping ipods and cameras off the sand. 1 of my stakes kept flying free when the wind blew the tent, and when I forcefully shoved it back in the ground, it bent. Putting lots of heavy things inside (like sunchairs, books, and people) and opening the windows helps keep it from blowing away. Shades 2 people on low loungechairs or 3 people sitting on the ground. Messy cleanup when there's sand everywhere and wind whipping the parts around. If you only plan to spend less than 2 hrs in the sun, probably not worth the time setting up and breaking down.

I disagree with the reviewer stating that this is a piece of junk. I've had my Cabana for some time now and I'm on my third summer. I prefer this to other Cabanas because it is easy to travel with and lightweight. I recently bought one of these for my sister and she is thrilled. I'm off to the beach now!

This cabana will give you good value for money. Of course it will not last forever, but it has everything you need. It's perfectly spacious, two people with big bath towels plus bags, shoes, cooler etc. fit in easily. I found it easy to put up, although I have to admit that its easier to do it with two persons. No problems with wind or heat. I use it at the west cost beaches and I love it.

I haven't been able to use my cabana since I bought it since our vacation to the beach was postponed, but I did set it up in our living room upon receiving it. The structure was a roomier than I thought and it appears that it will hold up.
The only downside was the way the cabana is constructed after you put it up. It was a little difficult for one person and I don't think the stakes are going to be good for the beach - they are a little short to stick in sand....dirt yes.
But, I figure that I'll have our stuff in it while at the beach and that should hold it in place.
It is a good product for the price and I am glad that I got it.

I have an infant so sun shade does sound like a good idea. Got this from amazon. It looks nice and the price is right.

First time to the beach, took two of us 10 minutes and couldn't set it up properly. You have to assemble little sticks into one long pole and two short pole and thread them into the tent. In our case, the long pole was too long and couldn't fit.

I was ready to return it and then tried again at home. Found the problem. There was an extra stick on the long pole assembly. After removing it it worked perfectly.

Next time to the beach, during the setup, one little stick is snapped in half during assembly. So the total times we enjoyed this little tent: 0.

Pro' it looks nice when it's set up properly. We were at the cape, I saw three nice sun shade, two of them is this model.
Con: Setup took a long time. Beach umbrella is much easier. Not sturdy enough.

We borrowed one of these from a friend last summer and loved it. Easy to pack and carry and provides a nice place to get out of the sun.

for how small this sun shelter is when its in the bag, you would have no idea how huge it is when its set up (and not to mention how easy it is to set up)! i am so impressed with this product and i'm glad i decided to purchase it. i'm going to a music festival and traveling by bus so anything i am taking i will have to carry on my back and this is the perfect sun shelter for that. i DEFINITELY recommend this to anyone and everyone!

Purchased for my grandaughter. what a great shelter. Will get a lot of use. We all love it