Eurmax Standard 10x10 Review

Where do we start? After scrutinizing every inch of the Eurmax Standard 10x10, we quickly filled several pages of handwritten notes detailing what we loved. First on our list was the propriety Thumb Lock sliders and height adjusters, which protect fingers and hands and make setup and take down a breeze. We also noted the heavy metal frame, which helps steady the Eurmax in moderate sustained wind and even during larger gusts. Additionally, the 500-denier polyester fabric is the thickest we've seen, and all seams are double-stitched and sealed with weather taping. This canopy is undeniably massive, but it was the little things that really caught our attention in many cases.

Performance Comparison

Functionality

During our first setup, we instantly noticed the Eurmax towering above the other shelters we were studying. With a maximum peak height of 11.1 feet, this canopy is easy to enter and exit. It offers three height adjustments which provide head clearances of 6.4 feet, 6.7 feet, and 7 feet, respectively. The canopy's 100 square feet of floor space allows plenty of room for groups of 5 to 7 people, including chairs, coolers, and gear.

The Eurmax excelled in this metric for several reasons. Its tall peak allows warmer trapped air to rise higher within the shelter, moving it away from guests and keeping them a little cooler. And, as previously mentioned, the canopy fabric is very thick. It completely blocks out sunlight, resulting in less bleed-through sun rays which can bother the eyes.

This canopy's massive design allows for maximum airflow, which keeps folks even cooler when there's a breeze. Additionally, during the afternoon hours, the taller design of the Eurmax can be lowered or placed on a slant to counteract angled light. Even at its lowest settings, the Eurmax is still spacious enough to accommodate everyone comfortably.

One of our favorite functionality features of the Eurmax is the potential to purchase additional side wall accessories from the manufacturer. These walls attach easily to the valance with the help of full-length Velcro strips. The ceiling trusses hang lower and crisscross over the canopy's interior headspace. This design provides greater strength and stability but decreases headroom, which may be annoying to very tall guests. That said, we like the ability to hang items from the frame, like lights, wet clothing, or towels.

Ease of Set Up

Honestly, the only difficulty of setting up the Eurmax is heaving it from your vehicle down to the ground. At nearly 65 pounds, completing this first step may be challenging, depending on the lifter's size and strength. We recommend finding a friend to help you and using the two perfectly placed handles to lift the canopy until you land it. Once the Eurmax is safely on the ground, it's a breeze for one person to transport it across varied terrain. The wheels perform very well on concrete, dirt, grass, and pavement. However, they don't operate well in sand due product's sheer weight. The roller bag's full-length zipper is a great feature that allows the canopy to be quickly removed or stored.

We indeed found setup easier with two or more people; however, after a small learning curve, a strong, healthy adult can easily set up the Eurmax solo. During timed tests, one of our testers was able to deploy the Eurmax entirely alone with an average time of one minute and 45 seconds. Before tear down, the internal Velcro straps that help anchor the canopy to the frame must be released, which is a little annoying. In similar canopies, these same Velcro anchors are affixed once and then remain permanently attached to the frame.

Quality parts and a sturdy, powder-coated steel frame allow the Eurmax to easily expand and snap into place. The canopy's extra weight also comes in handy if a steady breeze is blowing during setup. Even during moderate, sustained wind, the Eurmax stays firmly on the ground, making setup a more pleasant experience. Additionally, the product's proprietary Thumb Lock Sliders and Height Adjusters are easy to use and do an exceptional job at keeping fingers and hands pinch-free.

We were disappointed that ground stakes are not included with this product. Given its extra pounds, stakes aren't necessary during normal weather conditions, but they are always a good precautionary feature. Instead of stakes, the Eurmax is accompanied by four basic sandbags, which attach via Velcro to each of the four legs. This is an excellent option if the canopy is being set up on pavement, concrete, sand, or gravel. However, we would also prefer the option to stake it down whenever possible. The Eurmax's feet will accommodate stakes which can be purchased through the manufacturer.

Protection

A canopy tent's main purpose is to shield the sun, and the Eurmax does this very well, earning it top scores in this metric. However, we were also eager to discover whether our canopies could handle wind, rain, and bugs. After all, these products are also called shelters.

We were very pleased with the ability of the Eurmax to effectively resist wind. For most applications, this canopy's sheer weight is enough to keep it steady on the ground during moderate wind. However, when the weighted sandbags were attached to each leg, we felt very confident that the Eurmax would stay in place during normal breezes and gusts.

We drenched the Eurmax in hose water to discover how well it repels moisture during a heavy rainstorm. Extra thick 500-denier polyester fabric, combined with fully weather-taped seams, makes the Eurmax completely impervious to water. Additionally, extra side walls can be purchased to further protect against rain. When we combine this canopy's natural weight, steel frame, and quality canopy with the additional features of reinforced joints, weather-taped seams, and available accessories — it's basically a portable fortress.

Craftsmanship

Eurmax, you had us at powder-coated steel and double-stitched seams. When it comes to canopies, it doesn't take much to make us happy. After spending just 20 minutes with our new Eurmax, we knew it would earn perfect scores for craftsmanship — a true no-brainer. The manufacturer even refers to this canopy as "entry commercial grade." After weeks of testing, we found no reason to disagree.

This product is chock full of little extras that make all the difference. Every seam is double-stitched and weather-taped, and 95 percent of the steel frame boasts a powder-coated finish. Even better, the frame is a full truss design, resulting in a sturdy product that can weather just about anything nature throws at it.

The roller bag is built like an armored truck and features quality rubber-capped handles, a skid plate, and a full-metal wheel housing. We trudged this bag over sand, dirt, gravel, grass, and concrete. We even slid it up stairs and over curbs, and we never had a breakdown or any other problem.

The thick polyester fabric is stated to block out 99 percent of UV rays, and the manufacturer lists it as a CPAI-84-certified fire retardant fabric. After more than a month of tests, we saw no signs of wear and tear on the fabric.

This praise aside, we do have durability concerns regarding the feet. The four feet are made of plastic, not steel. Day to day, we don't see this as a problem; however, the feet are the only piece of the canopy that are in continuous contact with the ground. Additionally, the roller bag has an open bottom, so the feet are more exposed during transport and storage. Over time, we feel opting for plastic over steel could be potentially problematic.

Portability

Using the roller bag to move the Eurmax from point A to point B is incredibly easy. However, our portability metric studied more than roller wheels. The Eurmax received its lowest scores in this metric for good reason — this canopy is heavy and large.

At nearly 65 pounds, it can often be a challenge to move this lengthy payload from the vehicle to the ground. When stowed in its carry bag, the Eurmax is 5.5 feet long and nearly 12 inches in diameter (think railroad tie). These dimensions make it difficult to squeeze this beast into a smaller vehicle. It's still our favorite canopy tent, but you may want to consider whether it fits in your vehicle before you purchase it.

When it was time to carry the Eurmax over unstable ground or impassable terrain, we were impressed with its perfectly placed rubber-capped handles, which allow two people to easily walk and carry the tent without bumping it into the sides of their bodies. We also appreciate its interior pockets, which can be used to store stakes, guy lines, cellphones, or other small, miscellaneous items.

Should You Buy the Eurmax Standard 10x10?

If you value quality and don't mind a higher price, the Eurmax is an excellent choice. We recommend this canopy to anyone who is regularly engaged in outdoor recreation or commerce where a canopy is a must and reliability is a necessity. From farmers markets and motocross races to beach camping and little league football, the Eurmax will shine as a cut above the average canopy tent, and it won't disappoint — unless you own a compact car.

What Other Canopy Tents Should You Consider?

If your outdoor adventures don't require a commercial-grade canopy, don't worry: there are several other options in our lineup to fit your needs. If you like the shape and function of the common canopy tent but need to consider the price, we suggest the Caravan Canopy V-Series. It offers sturdy 10x10 coverage without the larger price tag. If you're searching for a canopy to shelter to shield you from the sun during outdoor spectator sports, we highly recommend the E-Z UP Pyramid. It comes standard with solid steel ground stakes to keep it secure during breezes days at the field. It weighs less than the Eurmax, and its roller storage bag has a wide wheelbase and large wheels, so it's easy to pull across grass or dirt.