On the flip side, larger umbrellas that provide you with more coverage tend to be bulkier and heavier when they're folded down. If you're looking for a travel-sized umbrella that's lightweight and easy to put in a purse or suitcase, chances are it'll have a smaller diameter and arc and will provide less coverage when you open it. Umbrellas vary in size and coverage depending on the intended use. Smaller arcs start around 30 inches, while some umbrellas may have arcs up to 70 inches. Another common measurement used to classify umbrellas is the arc, or the measurement of an umbrella canopy's coverage. ✔️Size: Most umbrellas have a diameter between 30 to 40 inches, which is the measurement of an umbrella canopy from side to side. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for an umbrella: But there are many features of an umbrella you should consider when making a purchase. Along with these larger tests, the Textiles Lab measured the weight and size of popular umbrellas, analyzed how easily they could be opened and closed and rated features like handle grip and coverage size.īuying an umbrella may seem simple enough - they're all meant to keep you dry.

To analyze an umbrella's resistance to flipping inside out, Lab experts calculated the force needed to invert each tested umbrella's canopy and also measured the strength of umbrella spokes with a specialized Instron machine. The less water that has penetrated through the umbrella fabric and to the absorbent paper, the better the umbrella is at wicking moisture and keeping you dry.

After the rain test, we measure how much water the backing paper has absorbed. The tester sprays pressurized and temperature-controlled water at a swatch of umbrella fabric that is backed by an absorbent paper. We used a spray test to mimic a light rain shower, as well as our unique rain tester to simulate a penetrating storm (pictured above). In our most recent umbrella tests, we collected and examined hundreds of data points to find top umbrella performers, including our best overall pick from Samsonite. Our top picks:Īt the Good Housekeeping Institute, we test umbrellas in our Textiles Lab for a variety of characteristics, including ease of use, performance and durability. The umbrellas ahead are either top performers from our tests or newer styles with unique features and rave reviews from real users. We tested umbrellas for factors like ease of use, durability, coverage size and most importantly, how waterproof they are (because some actually failed our tests when we added water pressure to mimic a storm!). The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab reviews wet weather gear of all kinds, from rain jackets to rain boots, and we've made picking an umbrella a bit easier.

There are plenty of umbrellas to choose from, but it can be difficult to figure out which one is the perfect fit for you without testing out every option. Besides being able to stand up to rain and wind, umbrellas should be easy to open and close while remaining comfortable and convenient to carry, and they should stand the test of time. There's no denying that a good umbrella is essential for a rainy day, and all it takes is one storm for you to learn that not all umbrellas are of the highest quality. We also added new umbrella picks from SY and Rifle Paper Co.

This article was updated in April 2022 to remove out-of-stock options and to ensure all product information meets the standards of the Textiles Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

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