Our Patented design is simple: a lightweight canopy attached to a single supportive arch. This design allows an ocean breeze to pass through the front opening of the canopy, and because the back of the canopy is not tied down, the Shibumi Shade cannot "catch" wind and be lifted from the sand. And because the fabric is so lightweight, it takes only minimal breeze to keep the canopy floating comfortably. 

The Shibumi Shade definitely needs wind in order to work properly! We find that most beaches get a sufficient (2-5 mph) and consistent breeze probably more than 90% of the time.

However, there are times at the beach when the wind just simply won't cooperate, and that can make Shibumi Shade use difficult. For example, earlier in the day, before the air temperature has had a chance to warm up enough to drive a good breeze, the wind may be too light for ideal use. However, most typical days at the beach are sufficiently windy, particularly by the afternoon.

There's even a scientific explanation for this phenomenon, known as the "Sea Breeze." We found this short video on YouTube that does a good job of explaining the science:

*Pro tip - check the current wind conditions at your beach, and view wind forecasts anywhere in the world here: https://www.windfinder.com

The Shibumi Shade will outlast all other tents and umbrellas in high wind without blowing away. If it's too windy to be comfortable on the beach, we recommend packing up and calling it a day. Fortunately, your Shibumi Shade can be packed up again in a matter of minutes!

Something to note about high-wind conditions; although the Shibumi Shade will not blow away, it is possible that repeated use in high-winds could lead to damage of the back corners of the canopy, something like what can happen with a flag in high wind. The good news is, even if this back seam is damaged, this does not affect the functionality of the Shibumi Shade, and it will still do a great job of providing shade. If this happens to your canopy, we can help to repair yours and extend the life of the canopy for years to come!

Definitely. Set-up is easy, though an extra set of hands can't hurt.

The Shibumi Shade canopy is rated to provide 30+ UPF sun protection, meaning it blocks up to 97% of harmful UV rays.

For now, we plan to stick with the same size and the classic Blue/Teal color combo. We love the way these colors complement the colors of the ocean, but also, having only one color and size option helps us keep our operation more simple as we do our best to keep up with demand!

The Shibumi Shade will  easily accommodate 6 adults sitting comfortably side by side in the shade, with room leftover for bags, coolers, beach gear, etc!

When you buy a Shibumi Shade from us, your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed! If you're not satisfied, no worries! We'll take it back. And if you ever have any issue with your canopy or poles, we'll make it right. That may mean we make a free repair, or in some cases replace your shade altogether. We’re dedicated to making a durable beach shade that won't break in high wind. If anything goes wrong with your Shibumi Shade, please let us know - we'll be glad to help!

- In general, you probably want to brush as much sand as possible off of everything.

- When you get home, in your yard for example, take the poles out and brush off sand, and lightly tap the pole segments together so that any sand inside them can fall out.

- It might be a good idea to give the poles a light rinse in fresh water, but allow them to dry out completely before storing them again.

- A yard is a great place to take out the canopy, and to shake it out so that excess sand can fall off. It won't take long for the canopy fabric to dry, so just let it air out a bit, and as it dries, the sand will brush off even more easily.

- Sand will brush off of the carrying bag easily, so flip the bag completely inside-out and back again and shake out all the excess sand.

Once you’ve removed as much sand as possible and the canopy has dried out, then just stuff the canopy back in to the bag like normal, and re-insert the poles in to the poles sleeve. We recommend storing your Shibumi Shade somewhere that is relatively climate controlled so that it's not too hot and not too damp. A garage may work just fine (if it's dry), but the trunk of your car, for example, would probably not be good!

Under typical conditions (winds between 2 and 12 mph), the Shibumi Shade does flap in the breeze, but we find that the noise it creates is not noticeable or intrusive. In fact, most folks tell us the faint sound actually has a calming effect, and tends to help them relax or nod off.

At more elevated wind speeds (15-20+ mph), the sound will increase in volume. In these cases, we find that when the flapping becomes too loud - it probably means that normal umbrellas and tents would have already reached their limits, or it may be so windy that’s it no longer comfortable to even sit on the beach.

As of now, we know that Ocean Isle Beach, NC has some of the most restrictive rules in North Carolina prohibiting canopies like the Shibumi Shade. (OIB only allows traditional umbrellas with a single pole).

Similarly, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Myrtle Beach, SC also has rules prohibiting anything besides traditional umbrellas.

To be sure - please check your local beach’s rules and regulations regarding canopies. And if you visit a beach that currently has rules that would prohibit the Shibumi Shade, please consider calling or writing your town council to let them know you’d love to see the Shibumi Shade allowed!

*A quick note on beach canopy regulations:

Beaches and towns that currently prohibit large canopies and tents other than traditional umbrellas usually put these rules in place for a few reasons: (1) When larger tents break or are damaged by the wind, they often become large trash items left on the beach for the town to pick up. Obviously, this is costly and unsightly for the town. (2) Sometimes, large tents are so complicated to set up and secure in the sand, that beach-goers are tempted to leave their tent set up over night. This creates several problems on the beach, but most importantly it interferes with sea turtle nesting. We think it’s important to point out that the Shibumi Shade smartly solves both of these big problems because it is virtually indestructible in the wind, and it is so lightweight and easy to assemble/disassemble in a matter of minutes.

“Shibumi” is a Japanese term meaning effortless perfection. It also refers to a certain Japanese aesthetic that comprises simple, subtle, unobtrusive beauty. We feel these descriptions fit perfectly with what we hoped to capture in our design of the Shibumi Shade - an incredibly simple and subtle design, that works naturally and effortlessly with the wind to create the perfect beach shade.

And as a fun double-meaning for us, “Shibumi” just so happens to be the name of the small apartment complex that Dane and Alex lived in together while at UNC, and where younger brother Scott later lived during his years in Chapel Hill, too. So the name “Shibumi” is another common thread that we feel a certain nostalgia for.