A canopy tent is an essential piece of equipment at farmers markets. After all, it’s the thing that’s keeping you comfortable and your wares protected from the elements. That’s why it’s important to make sure that you pick the best canopy tent for your purposes.

As you may already know, there are different farmers market tent types. In fact, there are hundreds of different options to choose from. Whether you're looking for a new canopy tent for your farmers market stall, or you're just curious about different options, we've got you covered. Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect canopy tent for your needs:

Pick the right size.

Make sure the canopy tent is big enough to accommodate all of your market gear. After, you don’t want to be cramped up under a too-small tent. However, the typical farmers market canopy tent measures 10 feet by 10 feet. This is a great size: it’s not so small that you won’t be able to move around freely, but it’s not too big either.

With a total coverage area of 100 square feet, you’ll be able to fit a couple of tables, a cash register, and a few displays. Of course, this all depends on the size of the furniture and equipment you’ll use, but a tent of this size will more than likely suffice.

Check out the materials.

Choose a farmers market tent that’s durable and weather-resistant. You want a tent that will last for many market seasons. A high-quality canopy is made of polyester fabric with a water-resistant coating. The legs and frame, meanwhile, should also be made of durable materials such as aluminum or steel. In terms of weather resistance, you want a canopy tent that can withstand gusts of wind and rain.

Pay attention to the legs.

Some pop-up canopy tents have straight legs, while others have slanted legs. There are benefits to each one, but for farmers markets, you’ll want to have straight-leg canopy tents. This is because slanted-leg tents don’t maximize the space as well as their straight-leg counterparts can. The canopy of a slanted-leg tent covers a smaller area than the legs, while straight-leg canopy tents shade the entire area they cover.

Additionally, straight-leg canopy tents make adding sidewalls easier. If you have a slanted-leg tent, you’ll likely have less protection against the sun, rain, and wind.

Make a decision about sidewalls.

Speaking of sidewalls – it can be up to you if you want them, but you’ll also have to check with the market organizers to see if you’re allowed to put up sidewalls. If you can, then you should get them. A canopy tent with sides will protect you and your wares from the sun, wind, and rain. They’ll also give you some privacy, which can be important if you’re selling items such as clothes or jewelry.

Another benefit of having a canopy tent with sides is that it can give you extra space for advertising. You can hang up signs and posters on the sides to boost your brand and promote more awareness of your products.

Choose the right canopy weights.

Weights are an important part of securing your canopy tent. Without them, your tent could easily blow away in strong winds. Farmers markets also probably require pop-up canopy tents to be well-secured, and this entails using canopy tent weights.

Learn more about the different types of canopy tent weights to make the right decision.

Figure out how much you’re willing to spend.

Don’t forget to factor in the price of a canopy tent. These canopy tents can range in price quite a bit, so be sure to set a budget before you start shopping. Of course, you want to find a tent that’s affordable, but you also want to make sure that you get a good quality product. That’s why it’s important to strike a balance between price and quality when choosing the best canopy tent for your needs. If you’re a frequent participant in farmers markets, however, investing in a higher-quality tent is worth it.

Find an easy-to-use tent.

Make sure the farmers market tent you choose is easy to set up and take down. You don’t want to waste valuable market time fiddling with a complicated tent. Additionally, having to take the time to set up your tent means that your products might be exposed to the elements longer than necessary.

It’s also better if you can find a canopy tent that fits neatly into a bag when folded up. Tents like these are easier to transport because they can be neatly packed away and they won’t take up much space in your car.

Check the organizer’s requirements.

The organizer of the farmers market might have certain guidelines and requirements regarding the canopy tents used by participants. For example, some events require participants to use only white tents, while others allow tents of different colors. The organizers may also have certain requirements about other features like sidewalls, air vents, tent weights, and more. Thus, if you’re buying a tent specifically for a farmers market, it’s best to check the event’s guidelines.

Pick out the best color for your brand.

A lot of pop-up canopy tents come in a wide range of colors. When choosing a canopy tent for your farmers market stall, it’s best to pick a color that represents your brand. This will help you create a cohesive and professional look for your stall. If you don’t have a brand color, then you can always go for a classic white tent. Because different tents can come in a lot of colors, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from.

Think about airflow.

Choose a farmers market tent with good ventilation. This will help keep you cool on hot days. Because hot air rises, canopy tents with air vents at the top can help ensure better airflow. The hot air flows out of the vent, allowing cooler air to enter the tent.