We recently bought the Neso Grande for a beach trip, and after a few days of use, I wanted to share our honest experience.
TL/DR - Great potential. It could be better. Durability is questionable. Returning and will continue the search
Setup:
Technically, it can be set up by one person, and I managed to do it solo once—but it was a struggle. With two people, setup is much smoother and faster. It's not overly complicated, but the tension in the fabric can make it tricky to get everything just right on your own.
Material and Design:
We really liked the look of it. We chose a patterned version that definitely stood out from the sea of basic blue tents around us. The fabric is soft and very stretchy—kind of like swimwear material—which helps in windy conditions, but I’m not sure how that plays into long-term durability.
Durability:
This is where things went south. After only three days at the beach, we noticed the stitching was coming apart on all four sides. Multiple spots were starting to separate, and for the price, that’s a dealbreaker. We're returning it because I don’t think it’ll last beyond a few more uses.
Stability:
One of the days we were out was very windy, and the Neso held up better than expected. It didn’t collapse or lift, even with gusts. That was impressive.
Compared to the Shibumi (which we rented last summer):
The Shibumi was ridiculously easy to set up by one person—it took less than a minute. But it relies heavily on wind. No wind? No shade. Plus, when the wind picks up, it's loud—borderline deafening if you’re trying to relax under it. You can buy aftermarket fixes for that, but they drive the cost up to an eye-watering price.
Shade Coverage:
The Grande gave us plenty of space—more than enough for three people, plus our beach cart, cooler, and toys, with room left to spread out. That said, some sunlight does get through the fabric. It's not full blackout shade, but it was enough to keep us comfortable.
Bottom Line:
We liked the look, the space, and the stability. But the stitching falling apart after just a few days? That’s not acceptable for the price. If the build quality matched the rest of the design, this would be an easy win. But for now, it's going back.
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