The hubs break and the legpoles bend beyond repair. I purchased Model #WT98010R and I’ve had it for 2 years and have put it up probably 6 times. This summer I had it up in the backyard after a birthday party for several days and one of the poles broke during a bad storm while I was at work. The screen tent came with missing and broken parts.
In addition to the models from REI and L.L.Bean, which became our new top picks, we tested the Coleman 15 × 13 Instant Screenhouse and the Wenzel Sun Valley Screen House. They do not provide any official information about the fabric and its waterproof rating. The rain fly is with taped seams but it covers only the roof. One could also describe this structure as a freestanding tent but this is a tall and heavy construction so don’t even think of using it without stakes, they are included. The peak height is 90 in (229 cm), so you realize how pleasant and tall this structure is, see the picture below. I have added it to my list of very tall tents for camping.
Additionally, there are two doors for easy in and out access, and the heavy-duty polyester mesh does a great job of keeping the buggies out. The setup is fast, only taking 60 seconds, and features poles that are pre-attached to the frame. Additionally, the poles are made from aluminum, and there are two doors for easy access throughout the ozark trail screen house space. Another thing to note is that this is a cabin-style screen house, meaning it’s a big block. The Eureka Northern Breeze Aluminum Frame Screen House is the best screen house for rain for a few reasons. That said, the frame of this screen tent is alloy steel (aka a mix of steel and other metal), so it should be reasonably durable.
All these terms get intermingled when talking about screen houses, but there’s a big difference between a screen house and a tent. And unlike many other screen shelters, this one pops up in under a minute for last-minute use. The outer material is UV sun-protected, and there are large mesh windows for ventilation. And the bottom of the tent comes with an extra-wide skirt to keep bugs out (which, let’s be honest, is the main reason people buy screen houses). The Coleman 15 × 13 Instant Screenhouse is essentially a larger version of the Coleman 10 × 10 Instant Screened Canopy, and it has similar shortcomings. The sloping walls make the interior space feel much smaller than the generous footprint might lead you to expect.
Like the REI model, the L.L.Bean tent has ample interior pockets, a lantern hook, and a roomy carrying bag, though the bag is of the typical drawstring-sack variety. The whole thing, bag and all, weighs 14 pounds. Several REI reviewers who bought both the tent and the fly for rain protection note that the fly has only two walls, leaving much of the tent exposed. The add-on fly for our runner-up pick, the L.L.Bean Woodlands Screen House, offers four-walled protection, though it’s also more than twice as expensive. Our favorite of the eight canopy tents we tested, the REI Co-op Screen House Shelter ticks all those boxes. However, it isn’t meant as a place to sleep; for that you should choose a regular car-camping tent.
It goes up OK, poles have color coded stickers on them. Been through several severe storms while camping with no issues. Keeps sun and bugs at bay which was my main reason ozark trail chairs for buying it. The way the poles clip into hubs is a little hard to get apart. We bought this screen tent about 2 years ago and just took it out of the box to put it up.