Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

Works well if there is absolutely no wind. Impossible setup with wind (especially at a beach) and becomes a kite/parachute once it is assembled. I had two section of poles splinter with typical beach breeze. Other people with simple canopy type shades were. DO NOT BUY THIS FOR BEACH USE!

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. EASY TO SET-UP. WORKS JUST THE WAY I WANTED - DID THE TRICK ALL AROUND. USED FOR BEACH CAMPING W/ 20 FRIENDS IN VENTURA COUNTY. MUSIC FESTIVALS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA UNDER SCORCHING SUN.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

My husband and I did a test set up in our back yard. It was very easy put together alone, except for needing my husband's help simply to insert the VERY taut poles into the base strap holes (the reason I gave 4 stars). It is a heavy item, but we purchased it knowing we would use it for car camping or backyard use.

We finally got to use it at the Michigan dunes. It worked out great. It was sturdy in the lake breeze (we used only 3 of the stakes -- one for each end). The stakes were only driven into the sand by foot, flush to ground level. We were able to fit a folding picnic table (with the 4 attached seats) and 2 folding recliners with still room left to spare.

I originally feared that the Large would be too big and obnoxious on the beach, but it was a perfect size for my family and not that much bigger than our friend's tailgate canopy set up next to us. It took about 10-15 minutes to set up on the beach. The poles are rather long if you need to move them around to insert into each corner. Our friends really liked our Kelty over their tailgate canopy.

What I liked best was that as the sun changed position, we still had the most shade underneath due to the lower profile of the walls. All we had to do was just extend one of the corners out further to drop the edge (facing the sun) lower, if that makes any sense. Our friends moved their chairs around, sometimes to even outside their tailgate canopy for shade while we still remained under our Kelty. My husband is also 6 ft and was able to walk around the middle area comfortably.

I don't intend to bring a beach umbrella again unless I went to the beach alone with nobody to help me with the poles. Can't wait to use again! Hopefully we won't find the same issues other people have about the poles losing elasticity over time.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

- poles are extremely wimpy, and Kelty was zero help in trying to get replacements
- nifty-looking design, and works well if no wind
- DO NOT bring to the beach or anyplace windy; if using in even mild wind absolutely have two people assembling it
- OK for car camping, but too heavy for anything else

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

This is great for use at the beach, by the lake, or just in your own back yard. Contrary to other reviews, the sunshade is quick and easy to set up, and comes down just as easily. Not great if you plan on backpacking to your destination because it's heavy (relatively speaking), otherwise it provides the most shade I've see out of any product of its kind.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

This product was worthless. I purchased and used it last summer. When I set it up again this spring it ripped in two places. I sent it to Kelty [...] only to learn that it had rotted in the sun and I only then learned that the product is not guaranteed and can be used only for limited periods in the sun. They did offer to sell me another at a discount. I could find no reason to buy another since it is not sun resistant.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

This is the worst piece of garbage I have ever puchased ! One of the fiberglass poles split when setting it up , took it back to [...] , lost [$]and never got to use the worthless sunshade !

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

The first time I used this I was setting up camp for my friends at a disc golf tournament. It was raining and windy after dumpiing the contents of the bag out I simply spread it out looked at it and began to set it up imediatly. No instructions required self explanitory set up. This thing easily covered the picnic table and provided shelter from the storm as we ate and drank sharing stories into the night. Great for music fests can easily set up small tents underneath so you don't need your rainfly and you don't have to sufficate.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

The Kelty is great to use on the beach when it's not windy. Unfortunately, unless we just have very bad luck, that's pretty rare when we go to the beach. We've used this about ten times, and the last time was the final straw. Truth be told I wanted to set it on fire. The cords always get tangled in between uses, despite all the clever tricks we've devised. In the wind, one finds oneself chasing the tent around the sand, restaking it and restaking it like Sisyphus, greatly detracting from the whole beach experience. One our last beach trip, we gave up and let the damned thing blow wherever it felt like going. It's also extremely heavy to carry.

On the plus side, when it's not windy, on that rare day, it's a great place to hide from the sun to protect your skin, but still enjoy the beach all day. I think it's best used perhaps at a campsite (in a mosquito free zone, of course).

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

I've used this shelter for car camp/base camp setups over 7 years, totaling about 2 months actual time in use. My favorite uses are to set it up as a picnic table shelter, gear tent, and as a huge vestibule over smaller tents (like Eureka Timberlines) during week long Boy Scout summer camps. It also works out well for snow camps: set it up in the snow (bring long stakes/tie to deadman or tree) and then dig down on the inside, piling the snow on two of the three sides to make a good communal or cooking area. It's much faster than an improvised tarp rig in the snow and the roof pitch can be adjusted to shed snow. Tie it down in the wind, however, and in 40 mph gusts it will roar!

The worse features are the overall size and weight (base camp, remember). It is difficult to set it up by yourself, but even a small kid can help a lot by guiding the pole as it makes the setup arc. I'd like to see Kelty make a similar lightweight version with lighter fabric and poles.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

I found the set up and take down relatively easy, though I would suggest a trial set up at home first before doing it in the field. While possible to set up solo, another set of hands would be useful.
Once set up it is easy to adjust and vary the amount and location of shade by standing it up taller or shorter or rotating it where desired. It very well constructed and appears robust enough to provide years of service.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

This sunshade is great for keeping the little ones cools while playing or napping. It's easy to set up but a little heavy when packing around. Great for car trips but to heavy to take on airplane trips.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

the kelty sunshade is easy to set up at the beach or over a picnic table when car camping. just watch out for wind. it takes off like a kite so really tie it down well. and if you think you,ve tied it down well, tie it down some more. its pretty durable too. mines been in barbed wire and survived with just a few snags.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

I love this product. It allows me to spend time at the beach without wearing excessive clothing. I felt like a king underneath the dome of this shelter. It allows great sightlines for viewing waves, birds and walkers.It is a [*] to set up though. The poles get to the intersection and get stuck. It would be really easy for two.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

Of all my camping gear this has proved to be one of my very favorites. I've used one for many years. I spend a lot of time drift boating/camping on a beautiful river in the high desert of Oregon. It gives me great shade when there is no where else to escape the sun, which often hits the 90's and 100's. It works equally well when it decides to rain, offering full protection. Other campers who are getting scorched or wet are always envious.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

A good sun shade in it has a large surface area and the legs can be adjusted closer or farther from each other to keep the sun out. Relatively easy setup, except like all 'tents', you have to lay it out. This makes it kinda messy if you are at the beach in the sand. Also, in a moderate breeze, it will sway and lay down on you, so you have to use the guy lines. The poles are solid fiberglass, which makes it heavy. Aluminum poles would be nice. All-in-all it's a good sunshade.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

The fiberglass poles are very long, very heavy, and fragile. When setting up but not yet staked out its very awkward in any wind. Once staked and guyed it's still fairly fragile in wind. The pole facing the wind is apt to bend inward and collapse the shelter.

But it does shade a huge area if winds are light.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

Once the thing is up, it's a pleasure - coverage is great, the whole structure seems very stable and solid. Now, go back in time about 15 minutes before the shade was erected and you'll be a bit put off by the fact it took so much effort to put up. It's quite an ordeal to put up alone. Maybe I missed something in the instructions but I think I followed it to the letter. As I was getting it setup, I laid the nylon material on the ground (concrete) while I put the poles in place. When I finally got the thing put together and up, I noticed on one side that there was a scratch of sorts and a small hole. I'm not sure how I could have done it. I also put a small tear in the pole bag as I was breaking down the shade.

Anyway, again, once the shade is up, fantastic product.

Comments about Kelty Kelty Sunshade - Large:

A little heavy and awkward getting up but sturdy, nice comfy shade and wind protected by cuts. Really quite large.