The Shibumi Shade is a unique beach canopy that has become increasingly popular among vacationers on the Carolina coast. The lightweight, easy-to-carry beach tent quickly caught the attention of other beach-goers with an innovative design is unlike anything else on the market.
Effortlessly Portable
Our favorite feature of the Shibumi Shade tent is that it weighs a paltry 4 pounds, making it the lightest weight beach tent on the market. The carrying bag measures just 26"x5" and is light enough for the kids to sling over a shoulder, and compact enough to easily find a place in the beach wagon.
The product is effectively two parts, a 17'x9' piece of lightweight polyester fabric that is breathable and water-resistant, and hard-anodized aluminum poles that when connected form a 25' long pole that makes the arch. Setup only takes about four minutes from start to finish, and we found the hardest part was making sure the fabric didn't get caught on the poles and rip while threading through the loop. So, take your time on this important step!
The tote bag doubles as a counterweight anchor and attaches to the middle of the pole with a guy line and does a great job stabilizing the frame during the occasional wind gust.
Does It Work Without Wind?
The Shibumi Shade needs at least 3 mph of wind or it will not work. The tent fabric is made of an exceptionally thin and lightweight polyester which is essential to the free-flowing wind-powered design. Fortunately, it's a rare occurrence for a beach to not have at least a 3 mph breeze, but it's still important to be mindful of this fact.
We love the openness that the tent offers, the lack of a roof that traps warm air, and no valences to duck under when entering or exiting the shade. The unrestricted wind flow is a welcomed beach vibe that we really enjoy.
New Quieter Material
Shibumi recently improved the material to make the fabric quieter and stronger. The upgraded fabric has reinforced stitching along the back seams to prevent fraying and is made from 40% recycled plastics. It has also been upgraded to 50+ UPF from the 30+ UPF on the previous version.
Size and Capacity
We found that the Original Shibumi Shade can best accomodate four beach chairs, but it could accomodate six chairs if needed. The Shibumi Shade Mini was released in 2022, provides 75 square feet of shade, and is tailor-made for sun-seekers with just two beach chairs.
Is the Shibumi Shade Worth It?
The Shibumi Shade is the most expensive canopy on the market at $290, but also the most innovative. While we love many of the features, we find it difficult to justify at its current price. In our opinion, there are more budget-friendly alternatives like the Neso beach tent that provides similar benefits at a much lower price.