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The best umbrellas
You’re busy going about your day when, out of the blue, large pillows of clouds start gathering in the sky.
Within a short while, the postcard-perfect sky turns to a shade of dark gravel-grey. You run frantically, looking for a place to shelter, but it’s too late. The rain falls heavily, causing you to get drenched from head to toe.
It’s not unusual to forget your umbrella because you were either in a hurry or didn’t anticipate that the weather would turn for the worst.
But, to avoid a reoccurrence of such an event, you might want to get your hands on an umbrella. To make your selection a little less stressful, we’ve reviewed 10 top-rated umbrellas on the market.
Best overall for wind
Repel Windproof umbrella
The Teflon coating on the canopy stands out. It sheds all the water allowing you to fold and store the umbrella immediately after coming out of the rain.
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If you’re looking for an umbrella that has all the bells and whistles, the Repel Windproof is your best bet.
It features a sturdy construction that makes it 100% windproof; hence, perfect for travel. Specifically, it’s made of 9 fiberglass ribs, making it very sturdy.
Factor in the three-fold chrome-plated metal shaft and flex frame tech, and you have an umbrella that can weather any storm, literally.
Another thing you’re sure to love about this umbrella is the ease of use. It’s fitted with an auto open/close feature, making it incredibly easy to do either actions using just one hand.
Best golf
G4Free Golf umbrella
Its double-canopy design stands out. Golf courses can be pretty windy, and having a windproof umbrella makes it more bearable.
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The solid construction and array of features along with the decent price tag make the G4Free 54/62/68 a top contender for golf umbrellas.
Backed by a one-year guarantee, this umbrella is constructed using a silk-like material, which makes it effective at blocking the harsh rays of the sun and repelling water.
The frame constitutes stainless steel for durability and fiberglass to cut back on its weight. Better yet, it comes in 54-, 62-, and 68-inch sizes.
G4Free also stands out because of its vented design. It is so designed to allow hot air to escape and let wind blow past as opposed to causing your umbrella to sway from side to side.
Best for travel
Lanbrella Windproof umbrella
Its high-density sun-proof material protects you from harmful UV rays. It blocks 99% of the rays preventing your body from burning and tanning.
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If you’re buying an umbrella specifically for travel, then you’ll want one that is lightweight but also sturdy enough to withstand any weather elements that are thrown its way.
This Windproof Umbrella by LANBRELLA fits this bill perfectly. Available in a whopping 18 colors, the 46-inch umbrella is reinforced with 8 fiberglass ribs, making it very sturdy and stable. For the canopy, the manufacturer used high density 210T fabric to offer maximum water resistance.
Another feature that makes it suitable for travel is its compact size. Thanks to this, you can fold it and easily carry in your handbag or backpack.
We also like that the umbrella is super easy to open or close. To open, press the button on the handle once. And to close, press the button again and the umbrella will close in an instant.
Best reversible umbrella
Siepasa Double Layer Inverted umbrella
The C-shaped handgrip design provides a firm grip while keeping your hands free to hold your handbag, baby, or other items in the rain.
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If you don’t want to get soaked by the water dripping from your umbrella’s exterior layer, a reverse-folding model like the Spar Saa Double Layer is just what you need.
As implied in the title, this umbrella touts a reverse opening and folding design. This brings the exterior layer (wet) to be tucked under the interior layer (dry), preventing drips; thus, keeping your floors and car dry.
The C-shaped handle is another aspect that impressed us. It allows you to cross the umbrella’s handle over your arm; hence, freeing your hands to hold other things.
Best affordable
Magictec umbrella
When it’s windy, the resilient frame bounces back to its original shape without getting broken. Thus, you’re not worried about the umbrella breaking if the canopy flips inside out.
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If you’re constantly losing your umbrella, investing in a low-cost model is a better option. The Magictec Easy Touch is a pocket-friendly umbrella that doesn’t skimp on any essential features.
If anything, it has more features than umbrellas that cost twice as much. One of its strengths is its capability to withstand strong wind. It’s been tested in the field and found to be wind-resistant up to 55 mph.
The compact design is another thing that this umbrella has going for itself. It’s just 13 inches long, meaning it’s small enough to fit in your purse or briefcase.
Best for beach
Sport-Brella Versa-Brella umbrella
Its four-way 360-degree swivel sets it apart from other umbrellas as it allows you to connect and adjust it to your liking to enjoy maximum coverage. What’s more, you can attach it to square and tubular surfaces.
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Have you been searching for an umbrella that you can take with you on your next beach picnic? If so, the Sport-Brella Versa Brella is a superb choice.
Its 50+ SPF rating for sun protection will make you forget that you’ve been basking in the sun for 5 hours. Furthermore, it comes with a rugged canopy, which is well-designed to withstand rain, wind and more.
The Versa-Brella, which comes with a 1-year limited warranty, is equipped with a clamp. This makes it easy to attach to a beach chair.
Best visibility
Totes Signature Bubble umbrella
The extra headroom for this tote Signature umbrella is pretty generous compared to regular umbrellas. It extends 17 inches providing additional protection from the rain.
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The first thing you’ll notice about totes Signature Bubble is its transparent design. The benefit of this is that it makes it easy to see through. The transparency aside, the umbrella also has additional patterns, so you’ll still be able to be spotted easily.
The totes umbrella is not just about looks. It performs really well too. The canopy is made of premium-quality materials, rendering it both windproof and waterproof.
Best for night use
Bestkee Lightsaber umbrella
Its LED-colored lighting is an obvious eye-catcher. Also, using it as a flashlight makes it a handy accessory when caught up in a storm at night.
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Are you a fan of Star Wars? If you are, then you’re sure to love this umbrella, which is based on the theme of the double-bladed lightsaber usually wielded by Darth Maul in the film.
The umbrella features LED lights, helping you to stand out in low lighting conditions. Choose from colors, such as blue, purple, green, red, yellow and white. To keep the illumination feature, however, you’ll have to buy 3AAA batteries.
Another feature that makes this umbrella perfect for night use is the addition of a flashlight, which is positioned at the handle’s tip. This makes it easy to illuminate where you’re going. Better yet, it frees up your hands as you won’t have to hold an extra flashlight.
Best style
Owen Kyne Windproof umbrella
Its self-standing design allows you to prop it anywhere. This is because its eight steel balls of frame can be transformed into legs allowing it to stand independently.
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If you’re looking for an umbrella that is not only functional, but also makes a bold fashion statement, the Windproof Double Layer by Owen Kyne is a great choice. It comes in vibrant floral patterns, making you stand out in any rainy crowd.
Plus, it sports the inverted folding design. This protects you from dripping water in your car or on floors.
This umbrella is also very easy to store, thanks to the eight steel balls that transform into legs once you fold the umbrella.
Best windproof
Rain-Mate umbrella
Its reinforced fiberglass ribs make its canopy resistant to strong winds. Also, with its fail-safe technology, the ribs hardly break when the canopy gets inverted.
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Do you have one of those umbrellas that flips itself inside out whenever the wind blows too hard? If you do, it’s time to replace it with a quality, windproof one, such as this model by Rain-Mate.
Featuring an all-metal frame, and 9 reinforced fiberglass ribs, this umbrella is quite sturdy. In addition, it’s equipped with an exceptional fail-safe flip technology. The way this works is that it allows the canopy to be inverted when there’s strong wind, without causing the ribs to break or bend.
This umbrella is also designed with portability in mind. It has a collapsible shaft, which reduces to a manageable 12-inch size so it can fit in your purse.
What to look for in a good umbrella
Type of fabric
The whole idea behind using an umbrella is to offer you shade and protection so you can enjoy the weather when you’re outdoors. Therefore, the fabric used in constructing a particular umbrella is one of the most crucial factors to consider.
If you choose a material that fades, not only will this reflect poorly on your look but it will also lose its UV-rays resistance. It means that it will leave you exposed to the harsh rays of the sun.
Now, umbrella canopies are designed from a variety of materials, including plastic, vinyl, cotton, and polyester. But for maximum durability and protection, go for fabrics such as Olefin, Sunbrella and Suncrylic.
Such materials are dyed with unique solutions, which help to lock the color into the fiber. This process helps to stabilize the pigments meant to provide UV-ray resistance.
Frame
The frame is the heart of the umbrella. Choose a flimsy one and your umbrella will flip inside out when strong wind blows. Buf if you choose a strong frame, it will be able to withstand even the strongest winds.
Usually, the main materials used to make this section are fiberglass, aluminum or stainless steel. Each has its fair share of merits and drawbacks.
Aluminum is light, which makes the umbrella easy to carry. However, it’s not that strong and it might not be able to hold up to strong winds.
Stainless steel is the strongest of the three, but it can make your umbrella feel a little too heavy. Fiberglass strikes the sweet spot between weight and sturdiness. It’s not too light nor is it too heavy. And, it holds up well against the wind.
Opening mechanism
Another aspect you should take into account is the manner in which the umbrella opens. This is because it determines how water drips from the umbrella.
Some umbrellas feature a reversible design, which allows water to drip inside the umbrella. With other umbrellas, the water drips all over the ground/floor. This not only creates a mess, but also poses a safety hazard as the floor can get really slippery.
FAQ
Are reverse-folding umbrellas any good?
The short answer to this is a resounding yes.
Umbrellas are a real lifesaver in rainy weather, there’s no doubt about that. But the way this nifty invention works isn’t perfect.
If you’re trying to get into your car or a building, you’ll have to close the umbrella, which leaves you exposed in the rain. Worse even, the umbrella starts dripping water all over your flooring or car. Now the reverse folding feature was invented to solve this particular problem.
Instead of folding your umbrella the conventional way, this feature allows you to close the umbrella in an inside-out fashion. Essentially, the layer that was exposed to the rain is folded inside while the dry layer becomes the exterior. This way, neither your clothes nor your floors get drenched.
How can you keep your umbrella looking brand new?
Purchasing a quality umbrella is an investment. So you’ll want to maintain this handy equipment to avoid having to purchase another too soon.
Here are a few hacks to keep your umbrella looking brand new:
– Don’t use harsh detergents or cleaning solutions to clean your umbrella
– Brush off dust regularly
– When cleaning, use a top-down approach
– Inspect your umbrella occasionally to ensure there aren’t any loose screws or rips
– Store your umbrella properly
Final verdict
Most people buy umbrellas only when the weather turns for the worst. But waiting until the 11th hour to buy a good umbrella is not a good idea. Chances are, you’ll end up with one that doesn’t provide enough coverage or one that collapses at the first sight of a light shower.
If you want a quality umbrella, look for one that has a wide canopy, is durable and sturdy enough to withstand strong gusts of wind. In our post, we’ve reviewed umbrellas that possess these traits, and more.
