There’s nothing quite like being outside. We all love the fresh air, beautiful views, and adventures that can only be found in nature. Sometimes, however, you need protection to be outside comfortably. There are plenty of options in today’s world, but the Clam Shade Portable Gazebo is the ultimate solution.
The Clam Corp. Shade provides ideal protection from the sun, bugs, wind, and rain. All in a portable, lightweight package which sets up in less than a minute!
Not quite convinced? Let’s dive into the details to see why the Clam Outdoors Shade portable shade structures are taking over the outdoor scene. Then we’ll figure out which exact model and accessories are right for you.
For more choices, you can check out our 39 Best Camp Canopy Options post.
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The Best Clam Shade Portable Gazebo
We’ll cover the details in a second, but if you want to skip the reading and know the best Clam Shade sun canopy, here are our top choices:
Best Overall: CLAM Quick-Set Venture – 9-foot diameter, 6-person capacity, and detachable walls for lightweight portability at an excellent price point.
Best for Large Groups: CLAM Quick-Set Pavilion Camper – 12.5-foot diameter, 8-person capacity, and rugged construction with built-in walls.
Best Budget Option: CLAM Quick-Set Traveler – 6-foot width, 4-person capacity, and all the Clam Shade benefits at the lowest price and smallest package.
Which Clam Shade Model is Right for You?
Now that you understand why Clam Shade portable shades are so amazing, it’s time to dive into the details to see which model is best for you.
Beware that these things are HOT items right now and inventories go FAST. Get ahead of the weather and have this on hand before you’re heading out for your next adventure.
Here are the options for the Clam Shade Portable Gazebo shade structures:
Best Overall: CLAM Quick-Set Venture
For most people, the CLAM Quick-Set Venture is the best choice. It has enough space for small groups to hang out inside and can fit a picnic table with chairs. It has removable wind and rain walls, making it cheaper and lighter than other CLAM shade options. The 9-foot option is suitable for groups up to six people, while the 11.5-foot or 12.5-foot options are available if you need more space.
Check the price for the CLAM Quick-Set Venture.
Best for Large Groups: CLAM Quick-Set Pavilion
If you want the biggest and best CLAM shades have to offer, the Quick-Set Pavilion is the ideal solution. It only comes in one size with a whopping 12.5-foot diameter, enough to hold up to 8 people comfortably.
The built-in walls also sets apart the Pavilion from the Venture and other models. When not in use, you can roll them up and keep your views open. Then when the rain or wind comes, quickly zip them down into place in a matter of seconds. This makes the price higher than other models as the walls are usually sold separately, but it’s well worth every penny.
Check the price for the CLAM Quick-Set Pavilion.
Best Budget Option: CLAM Quick-Set Traveler
If your outdoor adventures usually involve only two to four people, the Quick-Set Traveler is a great choice. The sides are six feet long and it can handle a small table inside. Best of all, it’s extremely lightweight and portable. It also happens to be the lowest-cost option out of all CLAM sun canopies.
Check the price for the CLAM Quick-Set Traveler.
Best for Star Gazing: CLAM Quick-Set Escape Sky Screen
If you don’t need a lot of sun or rain protection, the CLAM Sky Screen lets you stay away from the bugs but still get a clear view of the sky, day and night. It’s the ultimate solution for nighttime star gazing or daytime picnics without the hassle of bugs.
Check the price for the CLAM Quick-Set Escape Sky Screen.
Other CLAM Camping Sun Shade Options
Review the entire selection of CLAM Outdoors Shade products and accessories. See the thousands of positive reviews from satisfied customers. This portable sun shades are great for camping, sporting events, and backyard parties.
Alternative Portable Gazebos and Shade Structures
There’s no getting around the golden rule of you get what you pay for. But the price tag on some CLAM Outdoors products might be a little more than you planned. They truly are revolutionary and worth every penny, but I don’t blame you for wanting to see what else is on the market.
Here are the top alternatives to the CLAM shade gazebos.
Gazelle Tents G6 Outdoors Gazebo
The most comparable product to Clam Outdoors Gazebos are made by Gazelle. Their product is so close, it’s essentially identical. But so is the price. Some people prefer CLAM Quick-Set, but Gazelle Tent gazebos are an excellent alternative.
We have another entire review of the Gazelle Tents portable gazebos. Or you can head over to the listing for the Gazelle Tents G6 8-person gazebo.
MasterCanopy Escape Shelter
The MasterCanopy designs are quite similar and the construction quality is reported to be solid. The biggest differences are:
- MasterCanopy products do NOT have taped seams, meaning the seams can leak when wet.
- MasterCanopy products are not quick pop-up structures. You have to insert rods into seams like old-school tents, taking time out of your day.
Check the price of MasterCanopy Escape Shelter. Or view the entire MasterCanopy lineup, which includes larger semi-permanent structures for backyard events or daily use.
MCombo Gazebo Tent
The MCombo Gazebo Tent looks identical to CLAM from afar. But once again, there are some major downfalls.
First, it is explicitly not meant to be used in the rain. And second, while the company claims it can be set up in 60-seconds, many people report that it actually takes a minimum of 10 minutes.
Check the price of MCombo Gazebo Tents.
XGEAR Pop-Up Camping Gazebo
This is a newer competitor in the portable sun shade industry, but it might be worth considering. It is supposed to be waterproof and offers the same less-than-a-minute set up that Clam Shade has. This company has a wide array of products in the fitness and outdoor industries, so it’s tough to say whether they really put the engineering behind this or if its just another semi-decent knock-off.
Check the price for the XGEAR Pop-Up Camping Gazebo.
If you still are having trouble deciding, browse the entire selection of portable gazebos to get an idea of everything on the market.
Why You Need A Portable Shade Structure
Summer is a special time of year. We venture outside to gather with friends and family. Throw parties by the water, in the mountains, or in the backyard to enjoy it all and create new memories.
But summer comes with a few dreaded things. The blazing heat of the sun. The mosquitos ready to suck you dry. And on the worst days, blue skies turn dark and the rain comes down in sheets.
That’s why you need to be ready. Be ahead of the elements and get through anything that comes your way. The Clam Shade is the tool for the job and worth every penny.
Here’s why we recommend the Clam Shade Portable Gazebo over every canopy on the market:
- UPF-rated shade structure
- Superior bug screens
- Unrivaled rain and wind protection
- Incredibly easy and quick set up
1. UPF-Rated Shade Structure
Baking in the sun’s rays can be nice. It’ll warm you up before hopping in the water and can give you that golden glow we all love.
However, staying in the sun too long is not only uncomfortable, it’s dangerous. Heat stroke and sunburns are serious threats to your immediate and long-term health.
That’s why having a portable shade structure is a crucial part of any outdoor-lovers kit and an absolute must for avid campers.
Many of us have turned to pop-up canopies you see at Costco or local sporting goods stores for $80 or less. These are better than nothing, but they simply don’t compare to the Clam Shade’s ability to protect you from the sun, let alone the rest of the Clam Shade’s benefits.
Like a good SPF sunscreen or UPF clothing, Clam Outdoors Shade Gazebos are specifically rated in their ability to block the sun’s rays. This means they are adequately designed to give your skin the protection it needs to prevent burns and cancerous growths.
We also like the portable pop-up shade structures and portable gazebos from Gazelle Tents.
2. Superior Bug Screens
Sharks and bears might be popular movie plots, but do you know what the most dangerous animal really is? Mosquitos! They spread many diseases and are responsible for more human deaths than any other animal in the world.
So if you have serious discomfort when bugs are around, it’s for good reason. Don’t let the bugs get you!
Whether its mosquitos, other flying pests, or any sort of creepy crawly, the best way to find peace of mind outside is to have a bug-proof enclosure.
And that’s where the Clam Shade portable gazebos excel again. All Clam Outdoors Shade Gazebos are fully-enclosed rooms with built-in screened walls that wrap all the way around. The shaded canopy is attached to 360-degree bug protection in all Clam Shade Gazebos, which is absolutely one of the best features of these products. Unlike other structures with tons of gaps and holes, Clam Shades are fully sealed and won’t let anything in.
And this screen is nothing to mess with. It is designed to protect you from the smallest bugs. Even the minuscule no-seem-ums.
It doesn’t matter if you’re battling the giant mosquitos of Minnesota’s lakes, the tiny fleas on the Pacific coast beaches, or some odd bug between, the Clam Shade will keep you safe and comfortable.
3. Unrivaled Wind and Rain Protection
No matter how hard we all try to avoid poor weather, inevitably there are some days that throw the worst at you. Ones with torrential downpours and wind. Enough to make most people with regular canopy structures pack up and head home.
But Clam Shades are apart from the rest, once again. You can brave poor weather in dry comfort.
The roof and walls are all made with taped seams to keep the rain out. Their integrated hub-and-spoke deign and gutter-like roof flaps go far beyond most sun shade canopy designs to ensure you stay dry.
Clam Shades are built with a central hub point which spoke-like extensions go out to the top corners of the walls. The spokes are driven into triple-reinforced connectors. And the walls are built in the same way: a strong central hub extends to each wall corner, providing strength and rigidity.
So when you attach the solid fabric panels to each wall, you’re not just throwing velcro straps on a some giant metal frame. You’re tying into the hub-and-spoke strength that’s repeated throughout the design.
If that’s not enough, there are tie-down points all over the Clam Shade structure too, allowing them to withstand wind gusts.
4. Incredibly Easy & Quick Set Up
The best shade structure is one you will actually use. It needs to be easy to bring with, carry anywhere, and set up quickly.
Most of the time, I’ve left old canopies rot away because they are such a pain to use. I haphazardly throw them up when absolutely necessary, otherwise they just sit in my garage or gear bin.
Clam Shades are different. They pack down small and are easy to carry, but most importantly, they set up incredibly fast and with just one person. Most people can set them up in less than one minute.
Ready for another major increase in camping comfort? Check out the best camping fridge freezers.
Clam Shade Portable Gazebo Summary
When it comes down to it, the Clam Outdoors Portable Gazebo is the ultimate solution to being outside comfortably.
Whether you’re heading to the park, hanging out in your backyard, or hitting the road for a real adventure, the Clam Shade is the right call. It will easily provide excellent sun protection; keep the bugs at bay; and leave you dry and comfortable, even during the worst storms. And the competition just doesn’t stack up.
If you’re waiting for a sign that you should buy a Clam Shade structure, this is it! And get it before you need it because the inventory is going fast. Want to see more options, head over to the review of the very similar Gazelle Tents portable gazebos or check out our 39 Best Camp Canopy Options post.
Is there something you want to tell anyone who is considering a Clam Shade Gazebo? Leave a comment below to share!
