Rain, rain, go away…please!
If you’ve always picked up the nearest umbrella you can find at a convenience store on a rainy-day, then chances are you’re doing this way too often than you’d like it admit.
A cheap umbrella, a one hit wonder if you will, is a mindless purchase decision that ends up in the bin by EOD.
News flash, buying an umbrella that stands the test of time is an investment, definitely not a throwaway purchase.
So, to make it all the more simple, we have rounded up the best umbrellas in Australia this year.
Clifton Clear Birdcage umbrella
$31.45 at Amazon
Retro chic – the Clifton Birdcage umbrella is designed to protect you from the rain while still letting light in. Featuring its distinct curved fiberglass frame making it durable even for the strongest of winds.
Key features:
- Strong clear PVC
- Windproof
- Metal shaft
Royal Walk windproof large umbrella
$41.99 at Amazon
Listed Amazon’s Choice, this two person classic umbrella from Royal Walk is guaranteed to keep the rain off. So, if you’re weathering the moody Australian weather, opting for this brollie is well worth the investment.
Key features:
- Dimensions: 99 x 120cm
- Ultra strong windproof frame
- Automatic opening system
- Carry sleeve with shoulder strap
BLUNT exec umbrellla
$189 at The Iconic
BLUNT is the cult umbrella brand from New Zealand that is worth all the hype. Unlike traditional umbrellas, BLUNT’s superior tension in their umbrella canopy structure makes all the difference. So, if you’re weathering the moody Australian weather, opting for a BLUNT umbrella is well worth the investment.
Key features:
- Available in three colour varieties
- Unique strut mechanism creating outward tension
- High performance aerodynamic structure
Erised bifrost extra large folding golf umbrella
$49.99 at Amazon
Different to other umbrellas, this creative buckle design handle makes hanging backpacks and handbags on your walk home possible. Plus, with 99 UV built-in protection, avoid the harmful rays on sunny and overcast days.
Key features:
- 99 UV protection
- Lightweight and portable
- Award winning handle design
- Accommodates two to three people
Samsonite Windguard open close umbrella
$48.90 at Amazon
Known for making high-quality travel luggage cases, this umbrella is everything you expect the brand to produce. Featuring a no-brainer automatic opening mechanism, coupled with a Teflon coated wind-resistant canopy, it’s everything you need in a compact umbrella.
Key features:
- Automatic open and close function
- Teflon and polyester wind guard canopy
- Two sectioned colour matched steel shaft
Barbour portree umbrella in pink tartan
$71.50 (usually $84) at ASOS
Looking to stray away from the standard black umbrella? Make a statement with this tartan designed and super lightweight canopy.
Key features:
- Tartan design
- Lightweight
- Includes protective cover
Rib rainbow umbrella portable tri-fold
$16.88 at Amazon
Brighten any miserably wet day with this ultra vibrant umbrella. Not only is this brollie a stand out in the design department, but being a collapsible, compact, durable, and lightweight option makes it an excellent travel companion.
Key features:
- Lightweight, compact, and durable
- Listed Amazon’s Choice
Lejorain large teflon coated umbrella
$49.99 at Amazon
Available in a wide range of colours, the Lejorain umbrella is a customer favourite. With over 1700 five star reviews, this umbrella is designed to withstand all of the elements. Large enough to protect two people, but compact enough to fit in a backpack.
Key features:
- Auto open and close function
- Water repellent wooden handle
- Available in a range of colours
Original Duckhead compact umbrella
$69.95 at David Jones
Small, compact and full of personality, the Original Duckhead umbrella is small enough to fit in your handbag. It features a sturdy solid wood handle made from sustainably sourced birch wood coupled with a high strength steel and aluminium frame. Plus, we can’t look past its adorable duck head design now, can we?
Key features:
- 100 per cent recycled PET fabric
- Solid woven wood handle
- Automatic open button
What should you look for when choosing the best umbrella to buy?
“Consumers need to be selective when shopping for a quality product as many of the current umbrellas on the market are inherently not strong enough or more importantly, built to last,” explains engineer and BLUNT founder, Greig Brebner.
Umbrella tips
Along with a sturdy frame and base, an umbrella needs to have strong tips to stop it from flipping or collapsing.
“The traditional umbrella design that has existed for well over a century, has weak points at the edge of the umbrella which make them extremely vulnerable to failure,” notes Brebner.
“Add to that modern day mass production of those umbrellas has only emphasised this weakness.”
Look out for umbrellas that reinforce typical weak points along the edge of the canopy.
Product performance
Umbrellas are a hard product to master – this has resulted in a lot of brands creating non-branded offerings to distant themselves from liability, Brebner highlights.
So, if it wasn’t obvious, always look for an umbrella brand that is willing to put their name to their product. Couple that with a product that is able to provide actual proof of performance and you’ve got yourself a winner.
“Style shouldn’t come at the cost of performance, which is why we have made the strongest, most aerodynamic and protective umbrella on the market.”
Is buying a quality umbrella worth the investment?
As the saying goes, quality over quantity. Repeatedly purchasing ill-designed umbrellas end up being a pain to your day-to-day life (and your wallet) in the long run.
“With any product you invest in there is always a necessary service element that needs to be attached to it which addresses after sale care. This commitment from a brand gives consumers confidence that the product they are buying is superior and will last a test of time.”
Looking to save money on umbrellas? Check out our coupon codes for The Iconic, Spotlight and more.
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