9 Sustainable Umbrellas To Protect Yourself From The Elements
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The Best Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Umbrellas
If you live in a climate where you often get day-long downpours and heavy rain, an umbrella is a must-have accessory that you probably carry around on a regular basis.
In some places, leaving your home without an umbrella is a risky game as you might end up soaked, and even get sick if you stay in wet clothes for a while.
Carrying your umbrella with you whenever it rains allows you to make the most of each rainy day and enhances your experience outside while staying protected from the elements.
However, most umbrellas we can find on the market are mass-produced and very poorly made, and they often break after only a few months of use, if not sooner. I cannot count how many umbrellas I have broken over the years before I have invested in a good quality one!
Millions of umbrellas (maybe even more) are discarded each year around the world and they cannot be recycled. This contributes to our global waste issue and adds to the ever-growing landfills.
Thankfully, you can choose an umbrella that is more sustainable and well-made, an umbrella that is not disposable or harming the planet.
Here are nine sustainable umbrellas we recommend to protect yourself from the elements. They are either made from eco-friendly materials or they are umbrellas that are designed to last forever (or both).
WHAT MAKES AN UMBRELLA SUSTAINABLE?
An eco-friendly umbrella is above all high-quality and built to hold up over time. Thanks to a good design, it resists inversion when there are strong winds and should not break after only a few months.
An umbrella can also be sustainable when it is made with durable, eco-friendly materials. It should not be mass-produced by brands that do not even provide fair wages and healthy working conditions for their workers.
If the brand offers to repair its products, it is a great eco-friendly initiative that will extend the umbrella’s life by many more years. The umbrella can be a good product to invest in as you won’t need to throw it away if it stops functioning properly down the line.
WHAT ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS SHOULD YOU SEARCH FOR?
It can be tricky to find a sustainable material for the umbrella’s canopy because it needs to be waterproof, which means that it probably has to be made of synthetic fabrics.
That is why recycled polyester might be the best option, and it is even better if it received the Global Recycled Standard certification! The canopy can also have a non-toxic, eco-friendly waterproof coating.
When it comes to the frame of the umbrella, high-quality fiberglass or steel are durable materials that should last. On the other hand, wood, cork and bamboo are some of the most sustainable materials for the handle.
NOW, OUR TOP PICKS FOR HIGH-QUALITY AND SUSTAINABLE UMBRELLAS
Umbrellas Made With Eco-Friendly Materials:
1) Recycled PET umbrella with NeverWet® from Totes
Materials: Recycled Plastic, Fiberglass, Bamboo, Hemp
Price: $28
With a canopy made from 100% recycled PET bottles, this eco-friendly umbrella sold by Totes contains approximately 7.5 reclaimed plastic bottles.
The umbrella’s fiberglass frame uses no water during the production process, and the beautiful handle is made of bamboo.
Totes’ sustainable umbrella is backed by a lifetime guarantee and it features a wide, convenient tie strap made from hemp and designed for easy storage. With its 11.2 inches long when folded, this compact umbrella is very practical and functional as it opens and closes automatically, with only the push of a button.
The canopy has a NeverWet® invisible coating that allows rain to roll off the umbrella quickly. It means that the umbrella stays four times drier compared to regular ones you can find on the market. This innovative design makes the umbrella very quick to dry when not in use!
You can choose between three different colors for the canopy. Available in classic black, you can also pick a green, forest pattern as well as a feminine, botanical print.
Founded in 1924, Totes has over 50 years of innovation and expertise in umbrella production and it was the first brand to create a foldable umbrella.
Shop Totes
2) Spartali printed umbrella from Thought
Materials: Recycled Polyester
Price: $12
The Spartali printed umbrella you can buy on Thought’s website is the perfect handbag-sized umbrella, and it comes with its own storage bag. It is made from approximately six recycled plastic bottles that would have otherwise been discarded in landfills. Very durable, Thought’s recycled polyester is certified by the Global Recycled Standard.
The brand actually only uses polyester that is recycled in its collections: producing recycled polyester generates 79% fewer carbon emissions and uses 33% to 53% less energy compared to producing virgin polyester.
The Spartali umbrella has an exotic floral print inspired by the pre-Raphaelite world. The stunning pattern features beautiful ochre, turquoise and black colors. If you want to have a complete look, the brand sells a blouse and a midi skirt with the same pattern!
Thought sends its products in plastic-free, recycled and FSC-certified paper mailers. It is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative and a founding partner of the Ethical Fashion Forum.
The company is also committed to sourcing its materials responsibly and conducts regular audits to make sure its factories provide fair wages and good working conditions for workers.
Shop Thought
3) ECO Bamboo umbrella from Jollybrolly
Materials: Recycled PET, Bamboo, Fiberglass
Price: $44
Made from sustainable materials, the ECO bamboo umbrella you can find on Jollybrolly’s website is the dream umbrella for all environmentalists!
In addition to being stylish and beautifully made, it doesn’t harm the planet.
Its high-quality canopy is made from 100% recycled PET bottles, which diverts them from ending up in landfills by creating an entirely new product.
The umbrella’s handle, pole and tips are made of bamboo, which is the fastest growing plant on Earth. It means that the environmental impact of cutting down bamboo compared to trees is much lower because the plant is so quick to regrow. Bamboo also does not need a lot of water to grow, and it is a natural material, so it biodegrades easily compared to synthetic materials.
Jollybrolly’s bamboo umbrella is entirely windproof thanks to its flexible and strong frame made of fiberglass. Available in five colors, this medium-size umbrella measures 40 inches across the canopy.
Jollybrolly is a British brand that sells all kinds of umbrellas, from wedding ones to golf umbrellas, to classic umbrellas for women, men and kids. The company also has a full range of sustainably-made umbrellas, so it has you covered!
Shop Jollybrolly
4) Saffron Brush compact umbrella from Original Duckhead
Materials: Recycled PET, Wood, Steel, Aluminum
Price: $44
The Saffron Brush compact umbrella from Original Duckhead is probably the most adorable umbrella you will ever see in your life! Besides protecting you from the elements, it will make you smile, stand out from the crowd and add a pop of color wherever you go. This umbrella is handmade using recycled PET fabric produced from nine recycled post-consumer plastic bottles, and its frame is made of steel and aluminum.
The most unique feature of Original Duckhead’s umbrella is its cute solid wood handle, made from sustainably sourced Birchwood, that has the shape of a duck head. It has an automatic open button to make opening the umbrella easy and practical.
The brand has 18 different designs, patterns and colors to choose from, from stripes to flowers, to solid colors and geometric patterns. Using age-old techniques, it only designs high-quality umbrellas that are made to hold up over time. Each umbrella is waterproof thanks to a sustainable, non-toxic AC coating.
Original Duckhead is a woman-owned company based in the United Kingdom that sends its products in fully recyclable packaging, and its poly-bags are certified 100% biodegradable.
Shop Original Duckhead
5) Large umbrella from Certain Standard
Materials: Polyester, Cork, Steel, Fiberglass
Price: $55
The Large umbrella sold by Certain Standard is designed to make you look stylish and cool while protecting you from downpours and gloomy weather.
Larger than most umbrellas on the market, it is 34 inches long and has a 46-inch canopy that can easily keep two people dry.
Available in seven colors, the umbrella is made with durable materials that are built to last. The frame is made using lightweight, high-quality fiberglass and composite, and the shaft is produced from powder-coated steel.
Certain Standard also uses polyester to make the Large umbrella’s canopy, which is UV rated to 40 UPF and dries very quickly.
One of the umbrella’s coolest features is its handle, made of natural Portuguese cork, a sustainable material that is naturally water and mold-resistant. Perfect to use in the rain! And if you want it to be personalized, you can choose to have it engraved for a small additional fee.
Focused on quality craftsmanship and using premium materials, Certain Standard also offers a full-coverage guarantee. It means that if your umbrella stops working properly, the company will replace it for free.
The company donates 5% of its annual profits to organizations, like DirectRelief and its Covid-19 relief fund.
Shop Certain Standard
6) Navy City Gent walking umbrella from London Undercover
Materials: Recycled Polyester, Wood, Steel
Price: $190
The Navy City Gent walking umbrella designed by London Undercover is a stylish and elegant model that you can bring to special events or business meetings.
It is the ideal umbrella if you want to protect yourself from rain showers, be very chic and protect the planet at the same time!
The umbrella has a recycled polyester canopy and a steel metal frame that measures 42 inches when opened. Its handle, made of Malacca wood, makes the whole umbrella look elegant and luxurious.
The Navy City Gent umbrella features beautiful design details, such as a silver tip cup and spokes, a silver ferrule, a beechwood shaft and an orange elastic button fastener.
It is handmade in London, England, with the finest materials using traditional techniques. The brand always combines exceptional craftsmanship with high quality, and its umbrellas are rigorously tested to ensure they are built to last.
To make the Navy City Gent umbrella even more unique, you can choose to have up to five initials engraved on the metal tip cup. The umbrella comes with a one-year guarantee, but even later, you can still send your umbrella to the company for it to be repaired by professionals.
Shop London UndercoverUmbrellas Designed to Last for Years
7) Classic umbrella from Blunt
Materials: Polyester, Fiberglass, Aluminum, Rubber
Price: $99
The Classic umbrella from Blunt, which has an eye-catching and unique shape, was created for people who love combining style with good design. Available in seven colors, the umbrella’s canopy is made of polyester that dries very quickly.
The frame is produced from polycarbonate fiberglass and the handle is made with rubber.
All these materials are of superior quality so that the umbrella can last for years, and every component does at least two jobs to enhance its durability. Each umbrella even undergoes a 38-point quality control check during the production process. It is tested in extreme weather conditions and resists wind up to 72 mph.
Blunt’s classic full-length umbrella features an easy-grip handle, double struts and an open diameter of 49 inches. Its patented Blunt tips open into their secure pockets so that they are safe for users and passersby, and to evenly distribute the tension to the edge, where it is needed the most.
Blunt is known for developing innovative umbrellas that are built for life. With their unique patented style and shape, they are both a fashion accessory and a high-performance product that will make you stand out wherever you are!
Shop Blunt
8) Davek Elite umbrella from Davek
Materials: Polyester, Leather, Fiberglass
Price: $169
The Davek Elite umbrella designed by the American brand Davek is a beautiful classic cane umbrella that combines performance with elegance, making it ideal for everyday use and more formal events.
Created in three colors (black, navy blue, and copper), the umbrella has a 50 inches arc-diameter canopy and an auto-open system. Its wind-tension frame, made of fiberglass, resists inversion in strong winds.
Davek only uses durable materials of premium quality to make sure the umbrellas are made to last. Each umbrella is crafted using 96 steps and 12 different points of inspection.
The dome-shaped canopy is made with a 210-thread count fabric. The umbrella also features a beautiful handle made of top-grain leather that was elegantly stitched and a zinc alloy.
Each Davek umbrella comes with a unique serial number, which means that if you lose it, you can use the number to get a new umbrella at up to 50% off the regular price.
The New York-based brand also backs its umbrellas with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. Thus, the company can repair or replace your umbrella for free at any time if it stops functioning properly.
Shop Davek
9) Collapsible umbrella from Weatherman
Materials: Polyester, Fiberglass
Price: $64
The Collapsible umbrella from the brand Weatherman is a great versatile and practical umbrella for everyday use. When you purchase one, you can choose between nine beautiful colors to match your style and preferences.
This umbrella is made from high-quality materials, and it should last for years.
Its industrial-strength fiberglass is designed to prevent inverting, and its hand-sewn canopy can withstand winds up to 55 mph.
With its open canopy measuring 40 inches in diameter, it will keep you dry no matter the weather conditions! Its water-repellent fabric also dries very fast, making it even more practical.
Weatherman’s umbrella opens itself by the push of a button, and it features reflective accents to provide its user extra safety when it is used in the dark. It has a wrist strap for carrying it easily wherever you go.
The brand includes optional Bluetooth technology in its umbrella so that you can track it from the Weatherman app. That way, you will know exactly where the umbrella is at all times and you won’t lose it anymore!
The app also tracks the weather outside and it is developed to send notifications when you need to bring your umbrella with you. I love how innovative and unique this feature is!
Shop Weatherman
About the Author
Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.
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