Straight Leg Vs. Slant Leg Canopy: Which Is Better?

Popping up an outdoor canopy is a great way to make outdoor gatherings more comfortable. Canopies offer shade, protect you from unexpected rain, and keep you from otherwise canceling certain events because of the weather. Although you can find canopies in various sizes and styles, the primary consideration is straight leg vs. slant leg canopies.

When choosing between straight leg and slant leg canopies, they both come with ups and downs. Straight leg canopies tend to offer more coverage and shade, while slant leg canopies are slightly less expensive. However, straight leg canopies typically feature more durability, but slant leg canopies are more portable and offer an easier setup.

If you’re in the market for a new pop-up canopy, don’t just grab the first one you see. Instead, consider your needs and the pros and cons of slant and straight leg canopies to determine your best option.

Once you’ve nailed down why, where, who, and how you plan to use your canopy, decide which type works best. A straight leg canopy is the best option for some situations, whereas a slant leg is ideal for other scenarios.

Typically, straight leg canopies distribute their weight evenly over the four legs. High-quality versions have lots of places where you can secure the canopy with stakes, providing excellent support.

Slant leg canopies feature splayed legs that can work well on uneven terrain. Both styles come in various sizes, with the most common being 10 x 10 and 12 x 12 feet.

Familiarizing yourself with the similarities and differences of each type can help you make a more informed decision.

A significant consideration when choosing a canopy is durability, especially if you plan to use it often. Straight leg canopies typically feature heavier frames and a higher-grade canvas. These features make it easier for a straight-leg canopy to support more weight than a slant-leg canopy.

If you plan to hang anything from the trusses, a straight-leg canopy is a better option. Therefore, it’s ideal for things like trade shows, exhibits, or any other type of event where you plan to hang or display items.

Heavier duty canvas can also stand up better to more intense weather conditions. It’s also easier to keep a straight-legged canopy in place with sandbags around the feet. Plus, these types of canopies usually feature more holes and spots for tent stakes.

However, the straight leg design won’t stand up as well on uneven terrain as the slant-leg version. The slanted legs make it easier to adjust the canopy as needed across bumpy ground.

The Winner: Straight-Legged Canopy

Due to heavier materials and more solid construction, straight-legged canopies tend to provide more durability and strength. They also offer more support than slant-legged canopies for hanging or displaying items.

Straight-legged canopies tend to be heavier and require more than one person to set up. However, once you get the canopy in place, it tends to be easier to move. Also, the assembly itself is relatively straightforward; it’s just that you need some helping hands.

Conversely, a slant-legged canopy is typically designed to be more portable, so it weighs less. You may still find it easier to set up with more than one person. However, one person could set up a smaller canopy solo with some effort.

Once the slant-legged canopy is up, it could be a bit trickier to move due to the splayed legs. This design tends to make these canopies a bit flimsier when you’re trying to move them around.

However, if you have a couple of people to help, it’s not so bad. It’s also typically easier and faster to take down.

The Winner: Slant-Leg Canopy

Due to their lighter weight and more portable nature, slant-legged canopies tend to offer a faster setup. However, straight-leg canopies are easier to move around once you get them in place.

While both types of canopy offer shade, slant-legged canopies don’t give you full coverage. So, you would need a slightly larger slant-legged canopy than the spot you want to cover.

This reduced coverage area is because of the leg design and how manufacturers determine overall dimensions. If a canopy is 12 x 12-feet, this means the total area it takes up is 144 square feet.

With a straight-legged canopy, the legs come straight down from the top corners. This means you get the entire 144 square feet of coverage.

However, since a slant-legged canopy has legs spread out from the top, you get less coverage. The 12 x 12 measurement is based on where the legs end, letting you know how much space you need. But a 12 x 12-foot canopy will only give you roughly 100 square feet of shade.

A 10 x 10-foot canopy will give you about 64 square feet of shade. So, when determining what size slant-legged canopy you need, pay attention to the cover’s dimensions. You also will likely get a little less headroom in a slant-legged canopy.

The Winner: Straight-Legged Canopy

With a straight-legged canopy, you get full coverage for the amount of ground space you need. You won’t need to opt for a larger canopy that takes up more space to get your desired shade.

You can find many slant-legged canopies at more affordable prices than straight-legged versions. However, this is usually because slant-legged canopies feature lighter materials to make them easier to handle and more portable.

Plus, if you get similar sizes and styles, you may only see a cost difference of about $50. And, keep in mind, if the canopies are the same size, you’re getting less coverage area with a slant-legged version.

The Winner: Tied

When it comes to cost, you really need to weigh the price against what you get. Sure, slant-legged canopies may cost less. But, if you need a sturdy, heavy-duty structure that can last a long time, it’s not what you need.

However, for the occasional beach trip or picnic, a heavy-duty straight-leg canopy might cost more than you need to spend. So, for what you get, when you compare pricing, both styles are pretty comparable.

Related Questions

Can you use sidewalls with both slant leg and straight leg canopies?

Yes, but you need to make sure you get a sidewall designed for your type and size of canopy. Most sidewalls will specify the style and size of canopy they can accommodate.

What are some different sizes of canopy tents?

While 10 x 10 and 12 x 12 are the most common, canopy tents come in a wide range of sizes. There are smaller square styles, like 7 x 7-feet and 8 x 8-feet, and square canopies tend to be most popular. But, there are also rectangular versions, like 10 x 12, 8 x 12, and 10 x 15-feet. There are even pop-up canopies that feature extendable side awnings, increasing their coverage area while minimizing the required ground space.

What are some more permanent options for covered outdoor areas?

You can use an awning attached to your home if you want a more permanent covered area outside. You can also use an attached patio cover, build a gazebo, or set up a pergola.  Pergolas come in different sizes and can be freestanding or feature one side that attaches to your house. 

Slant leg canopies can be a fantastic, low-cost option for occasional use and temporary setup. However, for a longer-lasting, more durable alternative, straight-leg canopies provide more coverage and stability. Plus, the price you pay isn’t that much more than a slant-legged canopy of similar size and style.

So, assess what your exact needs are before buying your canopy. If you only plan to use it here and there, go with an easy setup slant leg. Otherwise, a straight-legged canopy will serve you better for more semi-permanent solutions.