Customer Reviews

Sport Brella X-Large Umbrella, Red

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

We are "keep it simple" campers. We've long wanted something for shelter and shade that was both easy to set up and easy to take down. Almost any regular camp shelter, rainfly, cabana or whatever tends to be a nuisance, and may blow out in a wind, but is hard to take down until it blows down. We are also often "on the run," spending only one night in a camp and then moving on, but if we want a cup of coffee in the morning and it's raining, it may be easier to skip the cuppa rather than rig a shelter, and who wants to skip their cuppa? So, the Giant Freestanding Umbrella idea appealed mightily, and it turns out to be a truly wonderful camp tool. As others have noted, it's light and it's fast. As it happened, on its first outing we camped near a beach, where the wind seemed to be blowing half a gale but we wanted to sit on the beach. We were worried that the monster umbrella might blow out, but I opened it into the wind, which it shed beautifully. We set it on its edge, windbreak style, and staked it into the sand with the four provided sand stakes. It showed not the slightest tendency to blow away! Impressive! We tucked three adults in chairs under and enjoyed the sunset in warmth and comfort. (As others have had their umbrellas blow out, I'd add a caution that [1], if the wind seems particularly strong either don't open it, or be sure to open it dead into the wind so it doesn't flip inside out, and [2], if a strong wind seems "flukey," coming from all directions, skip it. I assume it's like any other umbrella, and will destroy itself if a strong gust blows it inside out.)

As a quick-and-dirty camp shelter it excels: loosen the setscrew, slide the spike-ended extension rod all the way out of the main tube and hammer it a few inches into the ground (I use a nylon tent stake hammer (see 2-in-1 Heavy Duty Tent Stake Mallet & Remover) to avoid damaging or "mushrooming" the metal); open the umbrella and slide it onto the rod in the ground; tighten the set screw. It's up! You can get elaborate from there, guying it out and staking it down, but I think that defeats the purpose, unless there's a wind. As I write it happens there's a nice, fairly brisk westerly: I have it standing over a picnic table, guyed out to a handy fence on one side and our trailer on the other. The umbrella is providing perfect shade on an 85° day. As the sun moves we move the chairs. The breeze is no threat, but if it were I might either rig it down as a windbreak or skip it. In any case, when we leave camp, we take it down (in seconds) so we don't come back to find it inside out. We leave the pointed shaft stuck in the ground until we move to another camp.

That setscrew (knob) is weak. A really appalling number of reviewers have complained about that setscrew: theirs arrived broken. So did ours--twice. This is one pretty serious flaw in the system: the screw is pot metal, not steel. The manufacturer really needs to fix this as the number of complaints continues to grow. Our first umbrella arrived with the broken-off section of screw jamming the extension inside the tube, necessitating a whole replacement umbrella (kudos to Amazon, they had a new one out in four days), but the replacement's setscrew was sheared off also. Like another writer, rather than give up I went to my local Ace Hardware Man, who determined it's an 8mm *metric* screw, just so you know if you have to replace yours. (Someone else used a 5/16 screw, but I gently tried a 5/16 first and immediately knew that if I forced it, it might work but it would also strip the threads.) I've added a picture of that 8mm replacement setscrew to the photo gallery so you can get an idea of what it looks like. We think the umbrella is otherwise very well designed and built, so we are not complaining at all, but you should know that those setscrews are seriously frail. Even if it doesn't arrive broken, you might want to replace it with a steel one before it shears off on an outing. (But you shouldn't have to spend extra money for an adequate setscrew--the manufacturer needs to step up.)

I own four of the SKLZ Sport Brellas, including two of the regular sized ones and two of these larger ones. The larger ones aren't noticeably heavier and provide significantly more shade. However, they don't easily fit in the trunk of most cars (or even in the back seat).

If you own an SUV or a van, this Extra Large (XL) version is perfect. If not, buy the smaller standard Sport Brella, which fits perfectly in the trunk of a car.

Our family just recently moved down south closer to the beach. After spending two weekends and 50 dollars for umbrella rental, I decided to purchase one for our own use. I wanted the coverage of the tent, but not the hassle of setting up. I also was looking for spf coverage so that my 9 month old baby would be protected. But I also needed a large surface area enough for a family of 5. This fits all the criteria. I agree with the previous reviewer, that for very little more money you should get the bigger version. It is very light, my six years old boy lifted up without a problem. Though I will not let him dragged it on the floor. I am petite yet it feel like nothing with the shoulder straps.

This sport-brella beats any cabana at the beach. It is easier to setup than any tent. It really is just a huge umbrella that is designed to lay with a side on the ground. The windows are perfect for letting in more air and allowing an escape for the wind (preventing presure blowing the umbrella away). This thing creates a lot of shade. You can fit two big beach chairs under the umbrella and still have room for gear / kids / another smaller chair.

The key to this umbrella is to anchor it appropriately. The provided stakes are great for anchoring in the sand. Dig a little hole with your hands and push the stake in "more solid sand." Don't be lazy and use just two stakes; use them all. Setup is about 5-10 minutes including the stakes, and can be easily done by one person. We've used this umbrella on a really windy beach day, and it didn't blow anywhere.

There are only two negatives to using the sport-brella-- where a beach tent is superior.

(1). This thing is LONG (when all packed up). The XL size is about 5 feet long-- which makes it difficult to put in a car or even the back of a minivan. It would not lay flat (driver to passenger in the back of our Honda Odyssey). We need to stand it up at an angle. It would be difficult to transport in our car with kids in the back seat. (Note it's not heavy or hard to carry; it weights about 10 lbs).

(2). When installed, you will eventually lose shade as the sun moves. A tent actually provides shade longer because there is more of a "top" and "front." A cabana can usually be moved (e.g., propped up in the back) as the sun moves. The sport-brella can not be moved as the sun moves. I find this a minor inconvenience-- given the benefits. My solution is to "re-install" and "re-position" the sport-brella when I start running out of shade. (At a day at the beach in Naples, FL, I needed to reposition the sport-brella after about 4 hours).

In conclusion, the sportbrella is by far the best beach solution I've used. I had many people at the beach ask me where I got it. It has saved me a lot of money in cabana rentals.

Fastest and easiest sun shelter set-up in the beach and easy carry-on. Highly recommend to purchase the XL size Brella Umbrella. I have seen the regular version and it's too cramped space for two people.

The stakes would not work in the sand. On the second day, with a wind of 10-15 mph, the umbrella turned inside out and totally destroyed itself, with no hope of repair. The next day, on our way back from the beach at Gulf Shores, we saw one just like ours which had met the same fate.

The sport brella was reasonably light, easy to set up and the XL was the right size. It was just too fragile for any wind at all. We would have saved money renting beach chairs those two days.

I love the beach but just cannot bake in the sun for hours anymore. My old beach umbrella was not reliable in the wind and I saw someone with this product last year so I bought it. I love it! The umbrella measures 5"2" long - a passenger car with a opening in the back seat or fold down fits it easily. You figure it out.

Its light and easy to carry. It is roomy enough for two adults with trifold/full size folding chairs. Your feet may stick into the sun but you can angle yourself into full shade. Alone you have all the room in the world. This creates a nice little beach hut with cool comfortable shade. Its also nice because it blocks the back and side views of your new neighbors on the beach who you may not want watching at you all day.

As far as the wind- its VERY good but not windproof. Be sure to use the all stakes (8 in total) and front guidewires to secure it down- dig down alittle into the wet sand and tap the stakes down with a handy rock. Pile sand on top of the stakes and you're good. This is very easy to do and only takes a couple off minutes.

It sits still while you watch other peoples umbrellas fold and fall over. In a STRONG afternoon beach breeze you can reposition so it doesn't get the full brunt of the wind. I admit I am too lazy to reposition it

so only once of ten beach visits I have had to take it down because it did look like it was going to take off.

This is a high quality product and I have been seeing three or four of these on the beaches of southeastern Massachusetts area. All perform perfectly. Get it, it's awesome.

Purchased this umbrella in advance of a NC summer beach vacation with all intentions of using this on the beach, windy at times. I used the umbrella in both upright and leaning over configurations. Here are my comments.

1. Providing shade - umbrella itself was great for sun-blocking and providing shade. Opening the side panels to let some breeze through also was a good feature. Looking for shade on a hot beach - this is your answer. 5 stars for this.

2. Ground insertion - the extension pole by itself was sufficient to hold the umbrella in place even in windy conditions, provided you stick it down deep enough. The pole is slimmer than most beach umbrella poles so it actually went into the sand easier than I expected & held well. IF you decide to use one of those beach anchor screws (giant screw that you screw into the sand & then insert the umbrella pole into) be aware the wind may cause your skinnier pole to slightly bend and you will no longer be able to retract it into it's own center pole for storage. I would just use the umbrella pole by itself. I had no trouble. 4 stars here.

3. Construction - the knob that is attached to the center pole to hold the bottom pole inside and for adjusting the height of the umbrella is the biggest P.O.S. I've ever seen. It stripped out the FIRST TIME I used it. See other reviews for the same problem. I ended up going to Home Depot to get a replacement thumb screw (5/16" x 1 1/4" stainless steel) which worked perfect. 1 star here.

4. Staking the umbrella - the big thick stakes provided with the umbrella worked great in the sand along with the ropes to help hold the umbrella in the windy conditions. If you are using this at the beach, leave the small thin stakes at home...worthless in sand. Buy some bigger extra stakes at Wal-Mart in the camping section to supplement those provided with the umbrella for sand use. That way you can secure the umbrella in all of it's locations. 3 stars here.

Overall - very pleased with this purchase with some extra modifications I had to perform (new knob and extra stakes for sand use). Highly recommended, but only if you replace the knob first. Other than that it's ready for use right out of the box.

The first time we used it, on a perfectly still hot day, it was perfect. The second time we used it, a breeze picked up while I was opening it and it instantly flipped inside out and the shaft snapped at the joint. Useless. Have my RMA ready to go back to Amazon.

Too bad, seemed like a nice product. We really liked it for the kiddo + chairs the first time we used it.

I live in Miami Beach and I needed a good sun shelter for my husband who is very prone to heat stroke. I am so glad I ordered this umbrella. It is HUGE, large enough for both of us to get shade comfortably. The set up was a BREEZE. It opens up just like a regular umbrella and then you just untie the flaps and BAM, ready to go. If you have a smaller car, you might have issues fitting this XL size in. I have a hatch back and it wasn't a problem. Either way, whether you buy the small one or the large one, this is a great product.