They are very sturdy. I just don't like my grand kids kicking off the sides of the pool. But they lean and hang on the rails all the time. Hasn't been a problem and we've up graded from the Intex Pop-up to the Ultra-frame 22'. You shouldn't have to worry. BTW if you are using the original filter system, run it 24/7 and I would clean filter every other day.... just a thought