As a Southern California native, going to the beach usually includes throwing together a bag of towels, sunscreen, snacks and, if I don’t forget, a hat for some protection from the sun. Packing a beach tent into the trunk of my VW Bug seemed unrealistic until I saw the Baggu Pop-Up Tent.
This viral tent has been on our radar at Underscored for its adorable aesthetic and simplistic setup. You just open it, and it “pops” right up. Intrigued, I decided to put it to the test during both a trip to the beach and a trip to the park.
While I loved the shade it provided, how easy it was to take with me and the amount of space inside, I learned that this popping tent is also prone to snapping. Here’s my experience using it and why, despite it breaking, I still want to add it to my cart.
The Baggu Pop-Up Tent is a compact and cute companion for your outdoor adventures. Made of 100% recycled nylon, it provides cooling shade with no intricate setup required. There are even two unique designs to choose from.
What I liked about it
Unique and functional design
One aspect that drew me to this tent was the unique patterns it comes in. I tested the cloud design, which is made of recycled nylon materials and has a UPF rating of 30+. I knew I was protected sitting inside and enjoyed the cool tone shade that the blue pattern provided.
The tent comes in a handled bag with the same patterned design, and when it’s packed up, it looks like a circular flat backpack. I loved this feature since it was so easy to carry the tent on my back and have my hands free for the coffee and bagel I picked up on the way to the beach.
Easy setup and clean up
Once I picked a suitable spot on the sand, I was surprised by how quickly and powerfully the tent sprung open when I unzipped it from the case. You don’t have to assemble and insert tent poles into limp fabric like other standard tents. The Pop-Up Tent’s bendable, rounded poles are already tucked into the nylon and open up to form the tent with ease.
However, a strong wind complicated things slightly and almost sent the tent flying. Thankfully, there are a few small circular fabric rings at the bottom of the tent where you can place ground stakes (which are, unfortunately, not included with the tent). The Baggu website lists ground stake recommendations in the details section of the product page, though, if you’re looking to purchase a compatible option or you can use standard stakes for canopies or other tents.
I ended up throwing my book and bag inside the tent to keep it in place while I continued setting up and that worked like a charm. The tent does not have a flap to zip shut and is open to face wherever you place it, similar to a sun shade. This design choice makes it perfect for lounging on the beach while knowing you’re protected from the sun but still able to enjoy your surroundings. It was nice to be able to kick back and read while still being able to look up to see the ocean and surrounding surfers paddle into the horizon.
I also liked that the tent is made from 100% recycled nylon fabric and is very easy to clean. Sand is notorious for following you home from the beach, but it was easy to dust off the tent and not track any sand back to my car. I also spilled some of my latte inside the tent, and although I was initially horrified, one swipe of where the coffee was completely removed it. There weren’t even any stains left behind on the white-and-blue pattern.
Space for you and a friend
I brought the Pop-Up Tent with me to a local park with a friend, and the two of us sat inside comfortably. We even had room to stretch our legs while staying tucked inside the shade. The tent’s dimensions benefit from the length it offers. While I tested the tent with two people, more could fit inside if we sat in a crisscross position.
What I didn’t like about it
Though the tent’s poles are malleable, I did find them prone to breaking when folding the tent. The included instructions were easy to follow, and I was doing my best to keep hold of all the fabric when putting it away at the beach. While there was some natural resistance in this process, I finally managed to gather both sides in my hands, place the right hand over the left and fold. I then looked down and saw one side of the pole had snapped and was poking into the nylon fabric.
This might have been my own user error as the winds that day were already giving me a hard time picking up the tent and keeping it still enough to fold. Still, it was disappointing to find the pole had snapped since I’d barely even used the tent. I was able to finish packing the broken tent in the pouch and can still use it, though I have to be careful that the disconnected ends of the pole don’t poke out of the fabric. This sometimes requires me to carefully maneuver the pieces back into place.
After seeing the poles had snapped, I emailed Baggu customer service, and they were quick to respond. I sent them images of the snapped poles and they offered to ship a new tent or provide a refund. They also shared that they would be using new tent poles in 2025 and that this breaking is the reflection of a batch issue. After doing some research on Reddit, I saw that other people had faced the same problem.
Bottom line
This tent is easy to carry and requires practically no effort to set up. Though the pole of my tent snapped, Baggu customer service was easy to contact and quickly replaced my tent. This was a nice touch since the tent is on the pricier side compared to other beach tents we have tested in the past.
But it, ultimately, held its own with the convenience it offers and the space it provides for you to relax. Plus, it’s fun to use and comes in beautiful patterns that make it all the more aesthetically adventurous.