Love the outdoors and searching for a beach shade? Read below the Breezy Shade review which explains how it can be used in a variety of settings, changing the way you spend your time outside.
The Australian climate is perfect for outdoor recreation. As the weather warms up and the days become longer, we tend to spend more time outdoors savouring in those golden rays with a trip to the beach or the local parklands. Slip, slop slap is now a well-known slogan in Australia, but even armed with the amount of knowledge about sun safety Australia still has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.
One of the best ways to protect our family is to seek shade whenever possible. When we are out in the natural elements, this can be difficult to find, which is why I’m partnering with Breezy Shade and have reviewed their versatile beach shade below.
All opinions are 100% my own and reflect my honest experience with the product.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclaimer for more information.
Table of Contents
Key Considerations for a Beach Shade
If you look around a crowded beach, you will notice an array of shade covers. Everything from gazebos, shelters, pop up tents, and umbrellas. Before buying a beach shelter keep in mind the below key considerations of a great beach sun shade.
Durability
If the shade cover is to be predominately used at the beach the fabric should be made of high-quality materials. The fabric needs to withstand natural elements such as wind, water and sun.
Design
Beach shades are available in all shapes and sizes, but the main aspect to remember is how much sun protection the product will provide, and how many people will be able to sit under the beach tent comfortably.
Assembly
A beach shade that is difficult to set-up and take down is not going to make your outing enjoyable, which is why you need to consider the ease of assembling and packing up the shelter.
UV Protection
It goes without saying there is no point buying a beach shade unless it is made from a material that protects from the harmful UV rays.
Weight
A shade is not the only accessory you will be taking to the beach, so take into consideration how compact the shade is when it is packed away, the weight and how easy the shade will be to carry.
Price
With many options now on the market there is a beach shade tent available for all budgets. It is important to take into account all the above considerations before making your purchase.
Breezy Shade Product Appeal
Kit Includes
When you purchase the Breezy Shade, you’ll receive:
The Breezy Shade with four anchor bags attached.
Two inter-connectable poles in a separate carry bag.
A Breezy Shade carry bag for easy transportation.
Key Elements of the Breezy Shade
The Breezy Shade has been designed to offer the maximum amount of sun protection while withstanding breezy conditions.
Design
The Breezy Shade is made from sand-resistant UPF50 + Lycra fabric, which gives it the ability to stretch and create a broader shade coverage to avoid the summer rays. The sand resistant fabric means you will be leaving the sand at the beach instead of bringing it home. Attached to the end of the four corners are the anchors; filled with sand, they act as weights to hold the shade in position. The aluminium poles have a snap-lock technology whereby the three sections are always connected, ensuring you don’t leave one behind.
Set-Up
The Breezy Shade can be erected in three main steps. By following these instructions, you’ll discover how to set-up and pack away your beach shade canopy.
Beach Set Up
- Check the wind direction before you start as the optimal way for the shade to be assembled is for the poles and higher part of the shade to be facing into the wind, which allows for the air to travel through the shade.
- Spread the Breezy Shade out flat on the sand. Use the logo as the indicator for the right way up and the side of the shade that should be facing into the wind.
- Fill each anchor with sand. It is important to fill each bag to the top with sand as that will assist with creating stability for the shade cover. We used a small children’s spade to make the process quicker.
- Take the poles from the bag and clip them together. The larger, rounded end of the pole is to be placed under the fabric. The poles should be positioned close to the edges of the shade (nearly in the corner) and towards the front.
Tip: You may need to adjust the poles a couple of times and stretch the anchor bags further outwards to gain the maximum amount of stability and shade.
Grass Set Up
- Assembly on the grass is similar to the above, with the point of difference being step 3.
- Instead of filling the anchors with sand, there is a loop on each anchor that can be hooked onto pegs and hammered into the ground. Pegs can be purchased online separately.
If you are wanting to transform your summer, Breezy Shade is offering Inspire Family Travel readers a set of FREE grass pegs (value of $15) to complete your set when you purchase a Breezy Shade cover. Use the code IFT-FPEG at checkout.
Packing Away
- Remove the poles from underneath the shade, and shorten them to place in the carry bag by pulling apart.
- Empty the sand from the anchor bags. The bags can be turned inside out to ensure all the sand is removed.
- Roll up the shade and place it back in the carry bag for your next outing.
- The bag is light to carry, or takes up minimal space within a beach wagon.
- To increase the life of the shade, upon our return from the beach I shook the shade out again to remove any additional sand that may have been in the bag and wiped down the poles to remove the sand particles.
Size
If you require a shade cover to accommodate a family of four, you may sacrifice the weight and portability to meet your shade requirements. You will not need to worry about this with the Breezy Shade. Due to the lightweight stretchy fabric and two-pole system, the cover weighs a mere 2- 2.5kgs (depending on size), packs away conveniently into a carry bag and offers supreme shade coverage.
There are three different sizes available to purchase
Breezy Comfy, ideal for 2-4 people (2.1 x 2.1 metre)
Breezy Family, ideal for 4-6 people (2 x 3 metre)
Breezy Party, ideal for 6-8 people (3 x 3 metre)
Depending on the size of the Breezy Shade purchased, you will need to allow for additional room on the beach when setting up as the corners need to be stretched out to erect the shade. The Breezy Party requires approximately 5 x 4.5 metres in space.
Functionality
Versatility
The additional feature of the loop at the end of the anchor bag enables the shade to be used on grassy areas. This feature allows the shade not only to be used at the beach but also a cover that can be enjoyed at the park, local playground, or in the backyard.
Please note grass pegs are sold separately, and our review was only conducted at the beach.
Wind Resistant
If set up correctly (as mentioned above) with the poles facing the wind direction and the anchor points filled, the shade has been designed for the breeze to move through the fabric, which in turn keeps everyone cooler on a hot day.
Adjustable
On days where you don’t need to consider the wind, the two aluminium poles can be repositioned to offer different variations of shade coverage when the sun moves in the sky. We couldn’t test this feature, due to beach conditions, but we also found it wasn’t needed for our beach trip as we could change our seating positions when the shade moved under the canopy.
You May Also Like: The Sand Free Towel you need for a Beach Outing
Storage
The lightweight design of the Breezy Shade means it fits into a carry bag only 60 cm long, 15cm in diameter and weighs only 2-2.5 kg (depending on size). It can be easily stored away when not in use and light enough to carry to the outdoor destination.
Fabric Care
If the shade cover is to be used predominately at the beach, it is important to follow the care instructions to maximise longevity from the product. The fabric itself is sand resistant, so only needs a shake off before packing away. Once it is to be packed away for a long period, the company recommends you hand wash in cold water and dry by air. Do not iron or bleach.
Breezy Shade offers a two-year warranty on any manufacturing or material defect that arises from the factory.
Summary
If you love the outdoors and are searching for a shade cover that can be used in a variety of settings, the Breezy Shade will change the way you spend your time outside. The light, compact shade cover can be easily transported from place to place. Feel comfortable in the knowledge that the fabric is offering a high level of sun protection with a rating of UPF50 +, and can be purchased in several sizes to suit your needs. The Breezy Shade has been created for you to enjoy long lazy days in the great outdoors without having to retreat inside.
Delivery
Breezy Shade offer Afterpay on their website and free shipping Australia wide with any purchase over $100. Delivery time in Australia is normally between 4 and 6 business days.
Price
The Breezy Shades start from $139. The Breezy Shade grass pegs and aluminium pole accessories can also be purchased on their website.
If you are wanting to transform your summer, Breezy Shade is offering Inspire Family Travel readers a set of FREE grass pegs (value of $15) to complete your set when you purchase a Breezy Shade cover. Use the code IFT-FPEG at checkout.
All prices are in Australian dollars and are correct at the time of the review.
Disclosures: Inspire Family Travel was gifted a Breezy Shade to conduct a fair and impartial review. As always, our opinions are our own, and we only share what we believe you’ll find helpful. For more information, please visit the disclaimer section on the website.