‘Victorians were crying out for this brolly’: the best umbrellas for staying dry in the rain – tested

Our reviewer braved Peak District downpours to see which brollies – from budget to mini to windproof – stayed standing

The best waterproof jackets for women The best waterproof jackets for men

We Britons have loved brollies since about the turn of the 19th century. Previously an aristocratic luxury, today they’re a broad tent covering tight budgets and expensive tastes alike. You’ll see them sprout like mushrooms whenever rain hits the high street.

Most decent umbrellas will keep you dry(ish), but peek closer and you’ll find that not all are the same. Some have stronger, smoother mechanisms; others are lighter and more comfortable to hold. The best stand out for thoughtful details: from polished wooden handles to gleaming tips, a brolly’s aesthetic finish can often be a clue to how long it will last.

As a regular umbrella carrier, I use mine to stay dry on my soggy travels around the north of England. The best models keep the rain off and are convenient to carry. I’m also selective about colourways, materials, design and construction.

If I’m under a brolly, there’s a good chance I’m either on my way to field-test a product, or nipping to the library where I do much of my writing. I have extensive experience reviewing useful things, from travel pillows to reusable cups, for titles including the Filter. For the past decade or so, I’ve devoted much of my time to working out what differentiates one product from another, and what really matters to the user.

Throughout October 2025 – and again in September 2026 to test a second batch – I carried each umbrella daily and noted how effectively it sheltered me from rain and wind. Did it cover my head, shoulders and torso adequately? Was it comfortable to hold? And would a sudden gust of wind turn its canopy inside out?

For a sterner test of resilience and wind resistance, I opened up the umbrellas in strong winds near the summit of Mam Tor, a highly exposed, 517-metre hill in the Peak District, which overlooks part of the Steel Cotton Rail Trail. To give the 2026 batch of brollies a comparable test, I used them in very windy weather in the West Yorkshire countryside. (Thanks to photographer Christian Hopewell for capturing the fun, and to Alice Ostapjuk-Wise for helping it run smoothly.)

Of course, not all umbrellas are designed for use in extreme conditions. Each of the reviews below reflects the umbrella’s performance against the manufacturer’s claims, as well as how it fared during hilltop testing.

I assessed 19 umbrellas in total and have featured the best selection here. After testing, I took the wind-buffeted brollies to my local Mind charity shop.

Automatic opening (and sometimes closure) makes using an umbrella easier. It’s common in golf umbrellas and even more so in folding umbrellas, which employ a telescopic pole (or shaft) for compact portability.

Stormproof or windproof umbrellas have vents or dual layers of fabric to allow gusts through. These models performed best in high winds. Windproof models can also come with a double-ribbed frame, which makes the umbrella more resilient to the push and pull of high winds.

City umbrellas are the traditional choice in the UK, with a long, solid pole and a wide canopy. Most have a curved handle called a hook or crook.

Sportier and often with brighter-coloured canopies, golf umbrellas are another large, non-folding option. Many have straight-grip handles.

Folding umbrellas – also known as portable umbrellas or pocket umbrellas – have been around since the Victorian period. The best are made with super-lightweight materials and can endure blustery conditions without breaking. Their telescopic shafts make them easy to slip into a rucksack or handbag.

Parasols – in the UK, using an umbrella for sun protection hasn’t been seen since Victorian times, but shielding you from the sun’s harmful UV rays is one of a parasol’s greatest strengths. There’s little difference between a regular umbrella and a parasol, but choose a model with a wide, deep canopy – ideally one made using UV-protective material, such as the Lifeventure model reviewed above.

Care instructions for umbrellas vary from one brand to another, but there are some general rules to follow that will see your model last for as long as possible:

Allow it to dry after use. Eschew superstition and leave your rain-sodden umbrella open indoors in a well-ventilated space, having given it a good shake outside. Leaving a brolly wet can lead to buildups of rust, mould and mildew, along with the accompanying smells.

Clean it occasionally. Wipe it over with a mix of water and detergent to remove grime and germs. Dry it thoroughly after cleaning.

Don’t store it in a car. Widely fluctuating temperatures inside a car, compared with in a home, can cause an umbrella’s materials to expand and contract, weakening them and causing the umbrella to deteriorate faster. Plus, a damp umbrella could harbour mould. Heat exposure can also damage an umbrella, so don’t leave yours by the radiator.

Keep an eye on it. David McKie, formerly of this parish, once opined that “no object is so frequently lost” as an umbrella. To avoid this common misfortune while away from home, leave it with your coat or bag – or better still, keep it by your side.

Choose a brand that offers repairs. Certain brands, such as London Undercover, offer a repair service (at a cost for out-of-warranty items), covering issues with handles, canopies, ribs and other components – which means you’ll be able to use your brolly for many years to come.

Charity shops will often accept preloved umbrellas that are in good condition. Sadly, if your umbrella is damaged beyond repair, then you’ll need to take it to your local household waste recycling centre. Guidance on umbrellas varies among these facilities, so check with your local centre before turning up.

For more, read the best waterproof jackets for men and the best waterproof jackets for women

Pete Wise is a journalist from Leeds. Pete thoroughly enjoyed reading Marion Rankine’s book Brolliology as research for this article. His favourite umbrella is a Bettys Tea Rooms-branded one that once belonged to his mother. Beneath its canopy is the place where they can still have a chat