It wasn't that long ago that our time spent outdoors would generate in our minds the desire to stay young looking, especially on those warm, sunny days. As for us guys, the t-shirts would come off and at the end of the day that roasted, toasted, tan would knock off a couple of years from our age and add on a few scoops of confidence. The women would have their towels, blankets, or lounge chairs out on a beach, deck, or in the backyard, sun bathing in the "teensy-weensy" like a Peking duck on a rotisserie.

As the medical profession grows in knowledge and medical technologies develop, we continue to learn more about the risks associated with sun exposure and the dangers of ultra-violet rays. This awareness has led to the development and popularity of sun shelters, shade canopies, dining tents, and screen houses. The carefree, sun-soaking days of yore have been replaced by the conscientious, zinc oxide basting, days of the present.

These concerns about sun exposure, along with lightweight poly's, vinyl's, and aluminum, have ushered in a wide variety of shade canopies, dining tents, screen houses, and other types of sun shelters. Not that the idea is brand-new, as camping and backyard canopies have been common, but the smart new choice in shade canopies is the quick-set-up styles offered by several manufactures such as Wenzel and Swiss Gear.

With durability, functionality, portability, and expediency being the goal, these new shade canopies are designed to be set up and taken down in less time than it takes to apply a smooth layer of sunscreen or suntan lotion. The new shade canopies are virtually one piece, and get away from the previous designs where the canopy or awning consisted of an overhead tarp or vinyl sheet supported by a conglomeration of poles, braces, strings, and stakes. A few tent canopy makers do produce a folding canopy such as is seen at flea markets and craft shows, but these a commonly much heavier and don't provide the portability of the much lighter shade canopies being mentioned here.

The new shade canopies are smartly designed with lightweight, yet strong, aluminum tubed, telescoping corner post, which eliminate the sorting and assembling of older canopy styles. The upper support or canopy brace is a series of connected, scissor-like, aluminum sections with pivoting joints. Fully unfolded, the aluminum canopy frame creates a taught, clean-lined canopy roof with an attractive fascia or eave covering the scissored frame work.

Other features include flat-plated foot with fastener hole on each of the corner post for securing the shade canopy to a deck or other drillable surface. Some of the canopies also include corner guy-rope points for extra fastening and securing. Along with the new, modern designs in functionality, portability is enhanced with convenient wheeled duffle carrying bags.

If size is an issue, this may well be resolved as well. Canopy sizes currently available go from the popular, 10 ft. by 10 ft. camping canopy, on up to a 20 ft. by 10 ft., backyard event size. Several other canopy sizes in between are ideal for backyard barbeques, dining, or simply escaping the sun rays.

Still, the most compelling impression I've gathered from these new shade canopies is the portability and setup time which surely has been a primary design goal in the manufacturing and marketing. With set-up being such a breeze, everyone will be wanting to set up the canopy at every backyard activity. These shade shelters could be used for so many activities around the home, at youth sporting events, camping, or even a temporary covering for outdoor chores. Get cool and get out of the sun with the new, quick set-up shade canopies.

If you're interested in viewing the new shade canopies and other sun shelters, dining tents, and screen houses, many styles and sizes are available at PACKNcamp.com.