The $300 beach shade I'd buy again without blinking
It's the blue sail you've seen flapping down the coast. Many years in, and it's still the best beach money I've spent.
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THE SHORTCUT
The short hit
If you go to the beach even once a year, a Shibumi Shade is something you need to be packing. If you’re not sure what it is, it’s the blue sail-looking shade you’ve likely seen flapping almost any beach up and down the coast. Lightweight, sets up in about three minutes, and stays up all day on wind alone. Yes it seems pricey at $300 but I’ve had mine for over 7 years and it still is in perfect condition and is used constantly. Worth it. (Unless your beach is Myrtle or a small handful of others where only traditional umbrellas are allowed – check their site for the short list of no-no beaches before buying!)
The deeper cut
You’ve probably seen one even if you don’t know the name. A friend a couple weeks ago wanted to use mine and called it a “kablami.” I have no idea where that came from but it made me laugh, and it made me realize not everyone knows what these are. Plus given the price, people may be scared away from buying it, so I have to say my piece on them.
I’ve had mine for over 7 years – I got it way back when the small North Carolina company had just launched. It was close to $300 even back then which felt absolutely crazy for a beach tent. But we had a bunch of young kids on the beach that year and needed lots of shade. They pitched it as lightweight and quick to set up, so we decided to try it. I have never in all my life had more people walk up to us on the beach that trip (that year really) – everyone wanted to know what the deal with the shade tent was. It was so unique so people were stopping to chat constantly - I’m talking 10 people a day – it was wild! Now when we go to Isle of Palms it is a sea of Shibumis. Hundreds of them. But I still recommend it!
One other thing people get stuck on besides the price: how does it stay up with no poles staked into the ground? The pole has an elastic bungee cord running through it, so the segments fold down small and snap together (they’re already connected by the cord, you’re really just sliding the pieces into place). The shade is one big piece of very lightweight fabric with a sleeve sewn into one end. You slide the fabric onto the pole, dig a small hole and set one end in, bend the pole into an arc, dig a second hole about ten feet away facing it so the fabric blows with the wind, and set the other end. Cover the ends. The bag it all comes in attaches to the pole, and you fill it with a little sand as a counterweight. It sounds complicated written out. It’s not. It’s really: unfurl the pole, slide on the fabric, dig two holes, set the ends, fill the bag. I’ve done it by myself in about three minutes. Two people is easier, but you can absolutely do it by yourself. The wind catches the fabric and lifts it into a little roof, and that’s your shade.
The wind question is also a real one. In the last eight years that we have had it, there have been maybe three or four mornings total without enough wind for it. In all of those cases by the afternoon the wind had picked up and the shade worked. They’ve had enough feedback on the no wind thing since launching though and have since handled it: they now come with wind-assist clips which connect the back of the shade down to the ground at an angle to make some shade even when there isn’t much wind to catch.
When I ordered it, and for many years after, the only color option was blue-on-blue. It was their signature look. But recently they’ve branched into other colors, including some limited edition options. They also seem to have a bunch of new products too – different sizes, tents for parks, chairs, etc. I’m intrigued and if I check out some of these other products I’ll keep everyone posted.
I’ve heard the haters say “it’s too loud” speaking about the flapping fabric in the wind. Excuse me, but have you heard the ocean? To me I don’t even notice the “white noise” in the background because to me the ocean is the ultimate sound machine and there’s always a loud background noise at the beach. If you are super noise sensitive maybe try before you buy (see below), but I never understood this particular complaint.
It’s a big purchase, so if you’re not sure, check whether anyone near you rents one before you buy. I keep one here in Charlotte that I’ve rented to other moms who wanted to try before buying, and most only rent once, because if they’re going to the beach at least once a year, they realize it’s worth just having it. If you’re in Charlotte and want to rent mine to try it out first, email me here and I’ll hook you up!
Before you go
Are you a Shibumi person already, or still talking yourself into it? Do you have any other beach paraphernalia you recommend?
Talk soon,
Kristen ❤️