There’s no shortage of cheap pop-up tents on the Internet. But it isn’t until you start digging into that “great deal” that those options don’t include everything you need to use it properly.
The quality is probably a bit suspect, too.
At TentCraft, we believe you deserve better.
As the only manufacturer of custom pop-up tents in the U.S., we bring a unique perspective to everything your pop-up tent SHOULD include, so you can confidently use it for years’ worth of events.
That’s why when you invest in our heavy-duty MONARCHTENT, you’re not just buying a tent. You’re buying a full, professional-grade system that’s packed with value and engineered to never let you down. We believe in upfront value, and build every piece of it ourselves, from our production facility in Traverse City, Michigan.
This guide breaks down everything that’s included with MONARCHTENT, including those intangible items that give you extra confidence in your investment. We think you’ll quickly see how it stacks up against cheap imports flooding the market.
Buying a professional pop-up tent shouldn’t feel like shopping for airline tickets. You deserve to know exactly what you’re buying, and with MONARCHTENT, you get exactly that.
The backbone of every great pop-up tent is its frame. And, as you’ll see in your shopping journey, not all frames are built equally.
At TentCraft, we build MONARCHTENT with an all-aluminum frame because we know that strength, durability, and reliability aren’t optional when you’re investing in your brand’s event presence.
Aluminum is superior for professional pop-up tents. It’s lighter, stronger, and rust-proof compared to steel, meaning it can withstand the demands of frequent setups, bad weather, and long-term outdoor use without breaking down. Steel, on the other hand, is heavier, prone to rust, and far more likely to bend or collapse over time, especially under the stress of repeated events.
Related: Steel vs Aluminum Pop-Up Tents
Most of the industry, especially brands importing cheap tents, starts with steel frames. To advertise a low price and keep the overall weight down, they use thin-gauge steel legs, which are far less durable and prone to bending, rusting, and failure over time.
A few companies do offer aluminum frame options, but even then, they usually stop there, and cut corners elsewhere.
At TentCraft, we take it further.
Every connecting joint on the MONARCHTENT frame is also made from precision-engineered aluminum, not plastic.
Those joints are some of the most critical stress points on any pop-up tent. Using plastic, like most imports do, creates a weakness that can crack, break, or loosen after only a few events. By reinforcing every connection with aluminum, MONARCHTENT delivers unmatched durability, stability, and confidence, even after years of heavy use.
If you want your custom pop-up tent to stand out, your canopy needs to be clean, tight, and tall. Not sagging. Not wrinkled.
Because we fabricate every canopy in-house and tailor it specifically to our heavy-duty frames, you get a perfect fit every time. Our valence-tightening system pulls the fabric smooth so your branding looks sharp and your setup looks professional at every event.
We use a proprietary polyester fabric called Duranti for our canopies, engineered with higher tensile strength to prevent sagging and water pooling. That added strength helps your canopy last longer and perform better in all conditions.
Importers rely on low-denier polyester to cut costs. Often, those canopies are mass produced with minimal quality control. That results in poor fits and saggy canopies that don’t cut it when bad weather hits.
Oh, and saggy, wrinkled canopies don’t check that “I need a professional setup” box.
Most pop-up tent companies don’t talk much about wind, and there’s a reason for that: Their frames aren’t tested for it.
At TentCraft, we take it seriously. Every MONARCHTENT comes with a certified wind rating of 35 mph, backed by third-party testing from a professional engineering firm. These aren’t lab-only numbers. They’re based on real-world conditions where wind can hit your tent from any direction.
Ryan Gemmel, one of our design engineers, puts it this way:
“Some companies love to advertise 70 mph wind tunnel tests, but that doesn’t reflect true wind. It’s controlled, one-directional airflow. Our tents are tested in open-air environments that better simulate the real conditions our customers deal with at events.”
The tests also include a built-in safety factor. So, while your tent might survive a gust over 40 mph, the question becomes: why risk it? At that point, it’s safer and smarter to take the tent down.
The reality is, most pop-up tent sellers don’t even mention wind ratings. Why? Because their tents likely can’t pass those tests. When you’re importing lightweight frames built to hit the lowest price point, wind performance isn’t a priority. That leaves customers guessing, or worse, dealing with damage after a gusty event.
We believe in giving you real numbers, not marketing fluff. When you understand how your tent is built and what it can handle, you can plan your event with confidence.
We’ve built so much confidence into our heavy-duty tent frames that we back them with a lifetime frame warranty. If there’s a defect with your MONARCHTENT, just let us know and we’ll make it right.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. You’ve seen warranties like this before, and they usually come with fine print that makes it almost impossible to prove it was a manufacturing defect.
That’s not how we operate.
When we say lifetime warranty, we mean a real guarantee. You’ve invested in the best pop-up tent on the market, and you deserve the best protection.
If something goes wrong because of a defect in how we built it (which is rare, but hey, we’re human) we’ll own it and get you a replacement part or frame fast. And if something happens on your end, whether it was a setup mistake or an unexpected accident, we’re still going to be in your corner.
In those cases, we’ll work with you to figure out the best fix (think discounted replacement, free parts, etc.). Whatever gets you back up and running for your next event!
Our goal is simple: make it right and keep you moving. Because when you choose MONARCHTENT, you’re not just buying a product, you’re choosing a partner who stands behind it.
Most pop-up tents on the market come in one default height. There’s no flexibility or adjustment.
At TentCraft, we know that every event is different, and sometimes a standard height just doesn’t work. That’s why MONARCHTENT offers multiple head clearance options, so you can raise the valance and create a more open, comfortable space under your tent.
Whether you’re setting up at a busy trade show, hosting a retail activation, or building out a branded experience, having more headroom can make a real difference. It improves visibility, makes your tent feel more spacious, and gives you room for taller displays or equipment.
Very few tent brands offer this kind of flexibility. Most top out at a single, fixed clearance height that often feels cramped. With MONARCHTENT, you can customize your setup to fit your needs without giving up strength or stability.
Because we manufacture everything in-house, we’re able to give you more control over your setup. It’s just one more way we build professional tents that actually work in the real world.
Every MONARCHTENT comes with a heavy-duty, all-weather transport bag. It’s designed to protect your tent from the elements in between events and during travel.
Many of our competitors offer some kind of transport bag, but it will cost you extra. So, make sure you add that to your costs and compare it against your budget while shopping.
Moving a 75-pound tent shouldn’t be a workout. That’s why every MONARCHTENT includes our proprietary transport wheel kit, which converts the tent into an easy-to-roll dolly. It locks in securely and saves your back when you’re loading in or moving across large venues.
For teams that set up often, this is a game changer.
This is the signature feature of MONARCHTENT. Our frame already gives you the tallest peak height in the industry at nearly 12 feet. But when you add the included custom-printed peak flag or banner, your branding reaches nearly 17 feet in the air. It’s an attention grabber, and it’s one of the fastest ways to stand out in a crowded event space.
You’ve seen what MONARCHTENT includes. Not just in parts and features, but in real, long-term value. While other brands hide the true cost behind add-ons and upgrades, we include everything you need from the start. A heavy-duty frame. Certified wind ratings. Full branding. A true transport system. And a warranty that actually means something.
If you’re tired of buying tents that let you down or fall apart after a season, this is your upgrade. MONARCHTENT is built in the USA, supported by real people, and ready for years of events.