We've had three beach umbrellas in the last year, and this is by far the best. We use it for the beach only (no sports events).
Pros:
Stake: The lower half is a stake which is thin that makes driving it into the ground/sand comparatively easy. Still for actual soil you may want a rubber mallet or hammer. Also the stake is solid steel which makes it a little heavy, but means you won't bend it driving it into the ground. Also you can drive it in far enough that, as long at it's staked vertically, it won't blow away (unlike your friends' umbrellas when that big gust of wind comes). Lastly, the lower half stake has a "neck" to it which creates a great spot to fix the locking knob just above. That way if you use the upper half to drive the lower half further into the ground, the upper half won't just slide down the lower stake (as happens on other umbrellas).
Size: it's a large diameter umbrella which two folks can sit under it with ease. We often end up with three or four chairs squeezed under it on hot/sunny days.
Case/Storage: it folds up quickly and compactly if you twist it as you pack it up. Love that the stake goes inside the upper tube of the umbrella and it held in place by the knob/bolt that connects the two halves.
Quality: the fabric is a good quality material and the stitching is well done. This should last a number of years if you take care of it.
Setup: Takes less than a minute: unscrew locking knob, bury lower half stake, install upper half and lock in place, open top - done!
Cons:
Size: It's long in it's carrying case so long it just barely fits into our hatchback car. I've got to make sure I don't put it in last or there won't be enough room to maneuver it.
Stake kit: The stake kit may work in actual soil, but in sand they don't bite in enough. This is only really a problem if you want to set the umbrella at an angle as opposed to vertical. Still, the sewn in flaps help.
Carrying case: as I said it's a little heavy with the solid steel lower half. The carrying strap is a little flimsy and too thin so it tends to bite into your shoulder. Should have used a wider piece of material to spread the weight out more.
Overall: we love it so much so that when a friend lost the stake to our first one, we went out and bought another one after trying a different Tommy Bahama umbrella. Nothing beats a Sport Brella!
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 59.5 x 5 x 4 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 10.6 Pounds |
| Brand Name | SKLZ |
| Model Name | Modern |
| Color | Woodland Camo |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Manufacturer | SKLZ |
| Part Number | 831345007351 |
| Style | Modern |
| Included Components | carry bag, tethers, and ground stakes |
| Size | 7 stopa |
| Sport Type | Golf |
| Handle Material | Aluminum |
