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The Sun Ninja is a great product for those wanting to cast good shade, without the need to carry bulky frames and extra securing equipment to the beach. By combining things like the sandbags into the main shade cover, you have less bits to setup and keep a track of. However, it can take some experience to setup and adjust (especially in changing wind conditions), so check out the rest of this Sun Ninja Review to see if this is the shelter for you.
Sun Ninja Review
Use: For those looking for a portable shade option that can be used on the beach and in the park
| Portability ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Wind Resistance ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Setup ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Shade ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Lightweight at less than 10lbs | Solid once setup, although you need to continue to make adjustments if wind direction/speed is variable | Mostly easy, can be finnicky at times | Various sizes provide good coverage |
Pros:
- Lightweight
- With practise this is a simple setup
- Good shade coverage
- Can resist some wind
Cons:
- Not great for rain – cover can absorb water and get heavy
- Might need little adjustments if wind changes
- No walls to block out wind
- 1 year warranty
Who is the Sun Ninja for?
The Sun Ninja will be best suited to those who are wanting more shade than a little beach pop up tent, without having to lug a heavy metal frame onto the beach (like a pop up canopy). The Sun Ninja will be particularly appealing to those wanting the versatility of setting up on grass and sand. This is not for someone wanting protection from rain, as the lycra cover tends to absorb moisture, rather than letting it run off. Similarly this is not for those wanting an option to block out the wind, or a super rigid structure.
What we liked
- The minimalist equipment approach – the sandbags and cover are all integrated, which makes setting up simple (once you’ve had some practice).
- Gives you good shade coverage
- Great when you want to allow the breeze in on a warm day
- Super portable for anyone
What we didn’t like
- Only basic level of warranty
- Cover sags and leaks during rain
- Changes in wind intensity and direction can require you to make adjustments to your setup, which some people will find annoying
- This shelter has a large footprint, which might make you unpopular on crowded beaches
What’s Included?
At the time of writing you currently get sent:
- The shade cover with integrated sand pockets
- 2 or 4 poles depending on the size you choose
- Sand shovel
- Bungee cord ties
- 4 grass pegs
- Carry bag
Spec’s and Features
Similar beach shade offerings can be found from the likes of the Sun Ninja’s main competitors (ie. Neso, Otentik and Suricata). The Sun Ninja differs from these by coming with 4 poles as standard (on the bigger sizes) and integrating the sand bags and cover into one continuous material.
Tips and other resources
There are a variety of sizes to choose from, but I think considering how well this tent packs down, I would be going for the biggest size you can afford. However if you think you are unlikely to want to fit 3+ people, then you can probably opt for the smaller size.
Keep and eye on those bungee cord ties, they can pop off in gusty conditions.
Final thoughts
The Sun Ninja is a great product for those wanting to cast good shade, without the need to carry bulky frames and extra securing equipment to the beach. You need to put in some work initially to master the setup, but you will quickly get the feel of it. It’s not a totally hands-off shelter, and there are more rigid shelters out there (if you are willing to give up some of the portability.
