The last 2 canopies I purchased blew away in high winds even after placing the legs in pots full of sand and the metal bent beyond further use. This canopy has around 3" dia posts. I put metal mesh, a layer of wood with holes for draining and another metal mesh and stuck the round foot up through those layers of wood and metal and filled the buckets (square pots) full of marble stones. During 2 days of high winds the posts didn't budge and the fabric didn't rip. Very sturdy and beautiful - I love it.