Caddis Rapid Shelter Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: High peak, quick release system
Cons: Poor travel case, lower clearance
Manufacturer: Caddis Sports
Our Verdict
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Caddis Rapid Shelter | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ||
Price | $199.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $300 List $299.99 at Amazon | $229 List $199.98 at Amazon | $73 List $64.99 at Amazon | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | High peak, quick release system | Durable, quality materials, fast set-up, excellent travel bag | Easy to use quick release system, 3-year warranty, high ceiling | Inexpensive, easy to use, fast set up, portable, compact, lightweight | Lightweight, easy to setup, easy to transport, maneuverable sun-protection |
Cons | Poor travel case, lower clearance | Expensive | Heavy, wobbly wheels | Lower quality materials, small footprint, walls block breeze | Only for the beach, little head room, not impressive in windy conditions |
Bottom Line | Durable and easy to use shelter that struggles most when it comes to its portability | Worth every penny if you need a reliable, top-notch canopy tent for regular use | Simple to use and transport, this canopy looks sharp and provides an accessible and reliable shelter | An inexpensive beach tent with an easy setup and great portability, this our favorite choice to pack along on every trip to the beach | Portable and user friendly, this is a decent sun shelter for favorable conditions |
Rating Categories | Caddis Rapid Shelter | Eurmax Premium 10x1... | E-Z Up Pyramid | Pacific Breeze Easy... | Neso 1 |
Livability (25%) | |||||
Ease of Setup (25%) | |||||
Wind Resistance (20%) | |||||
Durability (15%) | |||||
Portability (15%) | |||||
Specs | Caddis Rapid Shelter | Eurmax Premium 10x1... | E-Z Up Pyramid | Pacific Breeze Easy... | Neso 1 |
Measured Weight (lbs) | 52.5 lbs | 64.3 lbs | 54.1 lbs | 5.0 lbs | 6.9 lbs |
Peak Height (feet) | 11.0 ft | 11.0 ft | 10.4 ft | 3.9 ft | 6.8 ft |
Pole Material | Steel | Steel | Steel | Fiberglass | Aluminum |
Number of Poles | 4 | 4 | 4 | Poles integrated into tent material | 2 |
Floor Dimensions | 120" x 120" | 120" x 120" | 120" x 120" | 87" x 49", half-dome shape | 80" x 84" |
Packed Size | 63" x 9.5" x 8.7" | 64.2" x 11.7" x 11.5" | 62" x 8" x 8" | 40" x 5" x 5" | 20" x 5" x 4" |
Main Material | Polyester | 300D polyester | Polyester | Polyester | 4-way stretch nylon/Lycra |
Design Type | Free-standing | Pop-Up | Pop-Up | Pop-Up | Free-standing |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Livability
With three adjustable heights, the Rapid Shelter can reach peak heights of 10.3', 10.7', or 11'. There isn't a max clearance of 11 feet, though, since the support structure drops below the peak (see image below). This structural design offers around 8ft of head clearance, with the appearance of an 11' peak, which is aesthetically pleasing but misleading. With 100 square feet of floor space, this shelter is spacious and can contain families or setups for whatever your event needs may be.
Ease of Setup
Like all commercial canopies, we recommend using at least two people for set up. Due to the push release buttons, though, set up feels relatively effortless. An initial set up, involving placing the fabric on the frame is needed but only takes about 5 minutes, after which setup is a breeze. With an average set up time of 1 minute 56 seconds, this tent is fast so you can spend more time setting up your products or spending time with family.
Take down is even easier since a simple click of the quick release buttons start the process, and due to the quality of materials, the joints glide into place, not requiring any excessive force, unlike the Amazon Basics model.
Wind Resistance
At 52+ lbs, this shelter's weight increases its wind resistance. Tie downs for the fabric are available on each side of the tent, which keeps the fabric from tearing or rubbing due to contact with the frame in windy conditions. Stakes are also provided which will help anchor the tent, but can only be used when the shelter is set up on soft ground. Additional stability options (sandbags) may need to be purchased if you plan on setting this shelter up in high wind.
Durability
With a 420D polyester fabric, Caddis claims that this tent is not only waterproof and UV protected but also fire-resistant. While we didn't test the flammability of this shelter, it did resist rain in our tests and provided shade. Like all tents, we wouldn't recommend leaving it out in a deluge, but it did keep out light rain. The legs are sturdy and feel very stable, even under windy conditions. Added stability is available due to the inclusion of stakes. At 52 lbs 8 oz, this is a heavy tent, and this weight along with a one-inch steel frame gives it a sturdy foundation that feels solid and reliable. Caddis also offers a 1-year manufacturers warranty on their site.
Portability
This tent is a beast and transportation is not made easy by the carry bag provided. The bag comes with neither wheels or a shoulder strap, and the hand straps offer little comfort. Just transporting this tent the 20 yards is rough alone, so we would recommend setting up right out of the car or using two people to haul it to the desired location, hopefully not far. To add to the transportation issues, after only one use we already noticed a slit in the bag. The material itself does not seem strong enough to support the 50+ lb tent for an extended period of time.
Best Application
Due to its weight and sturdy structure, this shelter is best for multi-day use for events or family gatherings. Since it is a major hassle to transport, we recommend setting it up and keeping it in its intended spot, rather than moving it around multiple times. If you're looking for a tent with better mobility check out the EZ-Up Pyramid.
Value
The Caddis Rapid Shelter is a tent that you can afford and rely on for many uses. The value is fine, but this model would benefit from a better carrying case to be a great deal.
Conclusion
This is a fine canopy tent at a solid price. The main drawback here is the case used for transporting it from one place to another lacks any user-friendliness and longevity, making it harder for us to recommend this one over others in the same price range. But, if you don't need to move it from A to B very much, it's a well-built model that will likely serve you well.
— Michael Wood
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