Where To Buy Big Umbrellas
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For our 2018 update, we conducted research on dozens of new automatic, manual, ultralight, reversible, and stick umbrellas. In the end, we decided to test seven models (from Ace Teah, Bodyguard, Crackajack, Elementex, LifeTek, and Tadge Goods) against our picks from Repel, AmazonBasics, and Lewis N. Clark.
But once canopies get larger than the 37- to 39-inch range (the typical size of the automatic umbrellas we tested), you start running into weight issues without gaining significantly better coverage. Having established that, in subsequent years we focused our testing on other aspects of umbrella performance and build quality.
Instead, we concentrated on testing the umbrellas in real-world scenarios and, perhaps most important, seeing how they held up to stiff winds. Ideally, an umbrella should be lightweight and tough, flexible and resilient.
For the stick umbrellas, which were considerably taller and heavier, we considered how easy they were to use for Sarah, who is 5-foot-2, and for Tim and Daniel Varghese, who are both about 6 feet tall. After that, the most promising candidates weathered a series of stress tests.
After weeding out models that were too hard to flip back or were damaged in the process, we tested the survivors during various New York City squalls. Staff writer James Austin used these umbrellas during his daily commute, taking into account the amount of protection they provided and how easy they were to carry on the buses, trains, and streets of New York City.
If both the Repel and the AmazonBasics umbrellas are out of stock, the Lewis N. Clark Umbrella is another good low-cost option (it was a top pick in a previous version of this guide). It comes in eight colors in addition to black, although black tends to be the cheapest.
For these reasons, we think most people are better off spending a bit more to get one of our other picks. But if you want something for kids, or you constantly lose umbrellas, the Lewis N. Clark is a good option to consider.
Though it offers the same length and canopy size as the other stick umbrellas we tested, the Totes is significantly cheaper. (And OutdoorGearLab also named this umbrella one of its favorites.) Its canopy is made from a lighter (and likely lower-cost) material compared with the other umbrellas we considered, and we wondered whether it would hold up to strong winds.
We put two inverted umbrellas to the test: the Kazbrella (now discontinued), one of the early examples of this concept, and the Sharpty Inverted, the best-selling inverted stick umbrella on Amazon at the time. Alas, we found the novel design underwhelming.
But before you run out and snag one from a local corner store, know this: All umbrellas are not created equal. The dependability and durability I mentioned above are key features but you also want to buy one fit for how you need to use it.
One of the clear drawbacks for any travel umbrella is its ability (or lack thereof) to keep you dry from any droplets falling off its canopy. Although the Travel Umbrella certainly wouldn't stand in for something like a golf umbrella, I did find it to do fairly well at avoiding too much run-off from hitting my shoes or the bottoms of my pants. I did still get a little wet but compared to other travel umbrellas I've tested, this managed to perform far better.
While all the umbrellas on our list are structurally sound to hold up against serious wind, some people have had one too many umbrellas break on them to trust just any ole product. The Blunt Metro Travel Umbrella is tough enough to resist flipping out of shape even in 55 mph wind thanks to a unique radial tensioning system.
Each of the umbrellas in this guide went through a series of tests to determine how well they compared against these four categories: Portability, build quality, coverage area, and value. Here's how each category specifically factored into which umbrellas made this guide:
Portability: An umbrella's ability to be portable is relative to how and where you intend to use it, so this category isn't specific to small models able to fit into a bag or backpack. Even larger golf umbrellas should be easy to collapse and carry, and able to be stashed in the back of a car or stored neatly at home in a closet.
Build quality: The build quality of an umbrella directly impacts its long-term durability and how well it performs in stormy weather. Even the most basic, cheap umbrellas protect you from light rain but once the wind starts picking up, you'll likely be fumbling with a buckling canopy while getting soaked in the process. Strong, durable umbrellas should maintain coverage, even in gusty storms, and be built of quality components that won't deteriorate after a few uses.
Coverage area: A quality umbrella, even smaller travel models, should provide ample coverage area to keep at least you dry. Of course, larger umbrellas do this better (while also allowing you to cover more people if need be). We also looked at whether the design of the umbrella's canopy pushed water away from us while using it or if anything dripped down onto the bottom of our pants or shoes while walking.
In an effort to help you dial down on the research and help you save the most time possible, we rounded up the best umbrellas, according to Amazon reviews. Options include the best overall, travel friendly picks, the best option for kids and much more.
The Blunt Coupe feels so satisfyingly smooth when you open it manually. The 41-inch diameter is big enough to protect most of my 6'4\" frame and a backpack, and it fares really well in high winds, thanks to its fiberglass ribs and polycarbonate frame. When you slide the runner down the aluminum shaft to close it, there's a locking mechanism so the canopy doesn't open up when it's not secured with the Velcro strap. But perhaps its best feature is the blunt edging at the tips. As I'm tall, my face has been privy to jabs from pointy umbrellas, so I'm glad I don't have to worry about poking someone's eyes out here.
Bliss is the word that comes to mind when I carry the Large Umbrella from Certain Standard. It's my personal favorite out of all the umbrellas on this list. I love the colorful designs, and it's relatively lightweight (1 pound) for its size. The Portuguese cork handle is wonderful to touch too. It just feels airy and bright and is a great counter to the grim and moody atmosphere of rainy days. The frame is made of fiberglass and a composite polymer, with a powder-coated steel shaft, and you get a spacious 46-inch canopy to cover yourself and someone else. It manually opens just as smoothly as the Blunt Coupe above, and when you close it, the canopy stays closed even before you cinch it tight.
For the longest time, my problem with umbrellas wasn't just the shoddy quality of the cheap ones I bought. It was how I frequently left them behind after a night out. There's no secret trick to remembering your umbrella before you leave a venue, but there are some ways that can help.
After being exposed to the sun's UV rays, eventually your patio umbrella's material is going to fade. You can help prolong the life, and color, of it by closing it when not in use and keeping it clean and dry.\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Do all patio umbrellas have UV protection\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Not all offer protection from UV rays. Check the manufacturer's information on the umbrella as it should tell you if the fabric offers UV protection. Certain manufacturers, such as Sunbrella, does provide UV protectant and water-resistant fabric.\"}},{\"@type\": \"Question\",\"name\": \"Is it better to get a bigger patio umbrella\",\"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\",\"text\": \"Bigger is not always better! Only get the size of patio umbrella you need to cover the area or table. An umbrella that is too large becomes a nuisance and is in the way when you try to sit underneath it, especially at a table. It will also throw off the symmetry of any furniture that it is placed with.\"}}]}]}] .icon-garden-review-1{fill:#b1dede}.icon-garden-review-2{fill:none;stroke:#01727a;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-linejoin:round} > buttonbuttonThe Spruce The Spruce's Instagram The Spruce's TikTok The Spruce's Pinterest The Spruce's Facebook NewslettersClose search formOpen search formSearch DecorRoom DesignDecoratingDesign StylesSmall SpacesFeng Shui See all GardenPlants A to ZHouseplantsLandscapingPests & ProblemsWild BirdsIn the Weeds With Plant PeopleThe Spruce Gardening Review Board See all Home ImprovementSkills & SpecialtiesPaintingKitchenBathroomInterior RemodelExteriorsOutdoor BuildingHome ServicesGreen ImprovementsThe Spruce Home Improvement Review Board See all CleaningCleaningOrganizingLaundryPest ControlThe Spruce Cleaning Review Board See all CelebrationsEvents & PartiesEtiquette & AdviceBirthdaysGraduations See all What to BuyHow We Test ProductsBeddingFurnitureVacuumsBest GiftsCleaning Products See all NewsHome TrendsBrands & CollectionsSales & DealsHouse ToursPerspectives\"One Thing\" Video SeriesIn the Weeds With Plant People See all About UsEditorial PolicyProduct TestingDiversity & InclusionGardening Review BoardHome Improvement Review BoardCleaning Review Board See all Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home.Subscribe The Spruce's Instagram The Spruce's TikTok The Spruce's Pinterest The Spruce's Facebook About UsNewsletterPress and MediaContact UsEditorial GuidelinesWhat to BuyGardening & Outdoor ReviewsPatio ReviewsHow to Pick Out a Patio UmbrellaByLisa Hallett Taylor Lisa Hallett Taylor Facebook Twitter Lisa Hallett Taylor is an expert in architecture and landscape design who has written more than 1,000 articles about pool, patio, garden, and home improvement over 12 years. She has a bachelor's degree in Environmental Design and is certified in fine and decorative arts appraisal.Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial ProcessUpdated on 04/19/22 The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 781b155fdc