What is a major disadvantage of a quad antenna, as compared to a Yagi antenna with the same number of elements and boom length?

A quad antenna consists of large loops of wire held in place by X-shaped spreader arms, typically made of fiberglass or bamboo. This creates a large, three-dimensional "web" structure that catches significantly more wind and readily accumulates heavy ice. In contrast, a Yagi antenna uses single horizontal elements made of aluminum tubing, which present a much smaller, aerodynamic surface area. Therefore, the physical design of the quad makes it notoriously more susceptible to severe weather damage from high winds and ice loading. Despite this mechanical disadvantage, many operators prefer quads because they actually offer slightly higher gain than a Yagi with the same boom length, making the "lower gain" option incorrect.