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Walk the streets of a big city on a rainy day, and you’ll notice that every trash can becomes an umbrella graveyard. For better or worse, most people don’t think about stocking up on an umbrella until the weather turns, and the consequences resemble…a drowned rat. If you want one of the best umbrellas, it’s important to stock up before the severe weather hits. These umbrellas can stand up to gusts of wind and torrential downpours; some can even shade you from the sun with UPF protection if that’s your vibe. So, to keep you dry while other pedestrians and piña colada sippers get caught in the rain, we put the internet’s most popular umbrellas to the test. We found seven that won’t just keep you dry but will surely keep your perfectly coiffed hair in fine form and your leather jacket free from water stains.
We also have good news: Umbrellas are already as good as they’re gonna get. We’ve been reviewing products long enough to remember the ill-advised attempt to make “smart umbrellas” a thing, but barring sci-fi-style innovations in rain avoidance, we have achieved peak umbrella. It’s the 21st century. We have the technology. All of the umbrellas we picked are engineered to last for years to come—or, at least, until someone inevitably nicks yours out of the coffee shop umbrella holder because we live in a society with no shame whatsoever. Here, a rain repeller for every situation, from compact travel umbrellas you can slip into your favorite tote bag to regal cane umbrellas for acting out a Singin’ in the Rain homage.
The Best Umbrellas: at a Glance
- The Best Umbrella Overall: Repel Travel Umbrella, $27
- The Best Collapsible Umbrella: Blunt Metro Umbrella, $79
- The Best Cane Umbrella: Davek Elite, $159
- The Best Travel Umbrella: Davek Mini, $60
- The Most Windproof Umbrella: Blunt Classic, $99
- The Best Heavy-Duty Umbrella: Weatherman Umbrella, $74
- The Best Bubble Umbrella: Shed Rain Bubble, $20
Except for the G4 Golf Umbrella, all of the umbrellas in this guide were tested by a member of the GQ team. The weather gods obliged us, and we were able to try them out during severe wind advisories.
The Best Umbrella Overall: Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella
If all that stands between you and the rain is this umbrella, it may well be the best $30 you ever spend. It's arguably the most popular umbrella on the internet, and we can personally verify that it gets the job done. Its one-button auto open and close is great for not having to fumble around as you step in or out the door, and a durable Teflon coating lets rain slick off like it’s a non-stick pan. The interior of the umbrella has nine reinforced fiberglass ribs, which is more than the standard six or eight, and while those extra ribs add some bulk, they also help avoid those annoying flips when the wind blows. Personally, we can’t resist the cloud-print version of this umbrella, but classic black, navy, gray, and other colors are available, too.
It’s hard to believe this umbrella only costs $30, but it’s not quite perfect. As a travel umbrella, it’s not as compact as the Davek Mini, but that’s the price you pay for added ribs. We also found that the auto open/close takes some finagling when it’s time to close. While it’s not the most windproof umbrella on this list (inversions are possible in extreme wind), its low price and portability make this the best umbrella for most people and one that will last a long time. For folks worried about wind over portability, opt for one of the stick umbrellas below.
Pros:
- True travel-sized umbrella
- Withstands heavy winds
- Durable, long-lasting product
- Lots of colors and fun interior prints are available
- Auto-open and close
Cons:
- Auto-close takes some extra effort
- Thicker than ultra-compact travel umbrellas
The Best Collapsible Umbrella: Blunt Classic
We lauded the Blunt Metro umbrella above, and this non-fold-up version is even more reliable. As a non-collapsible stick umbrella, it’s slightly more wind-resistant—72 miles per hour —which is a wind speed for which we'd actually recommend remaining indoors. When we subjected our top picks to winds in excess of 30 miles per hour, only the Blunt Classic proved 100% inversion proof. It also has a wider canopy, which makes sliding another person under it a little more feasible when disaster strikes. It’s solidly built, and the sheen and vibrancy of the canopy make it an aesthetically pleasing option that doesn't look too fussy. You’re gonna have this thing for a long time, so get a color you’re willing to stand by for the next decade. And if you’re the type of person who likes to twirl their umbrella (you do you, king), then the unique canopy and stick design make this a twirler-friendly pick.
Pros:
- The most windproof umbrella we tested
- Easy to open and close
- Unique modern design and multiple color options
- Heavy-duty shaft
Cons:
- Does not collapse
The Best Cane Umbrella: Davek Elite
For a certain type of guy, it’s cane umbrellas or nothing—and this pick fits the bill. The regal black-and-silver design is backed by Davek’s unconditional lifetime guarantee, so it’s much more than a pretty trinket. The deep, extra-wide 50-inch canopy provides full coverage, and it’s large enough for two if you get caught in a spring shower with your sweetheart. When we took it for a spin, we loved how much heft it has in the hand. The fiberglass shaft, reinforced ribs, and high thread count fabric resisted inversion even in very heavy winds. We wouldn’t call it 100% inversion proof (again, the Blunt Classic is the most windproof product we tested), but this thing is tough. Finally, we love the classic dome shape, which lets you claim your space on a crowded street corner.
We do have one minor quibble. When holding the cane-shaped handle in the most natural position, you can’t easily reach the auto-open button with your thumb, so it often requires two hands to operate. Despite this, it’s easily one of our favorites, though it will cost you a bit more than the alternatives.
Pros:
- Deep 50” canopy
- Backed by lifetime warranty
- Classic cane design (may be a con for some)
- Made from durable materials—steel, fiberglass, zinc alloy, aluminum
- Big enough for two
Cons:
- Doesn’t collapse down for travel
- Auto-open is awkwardly placed on shaft
- Edges can invert in extreme wind gusts
The Best Travel Umbrella: Davek Mini
The Davek Mini solves the biggest problem with this product category: You either need to have a backpack or a large coat pocket to keep one on hand. The Davek Mini is a true mini umbrella, so if you’re looking for a more compact and packable alternative to Blunt or Repel, this is your best bet. The fact that it still holds sturdy is extremely impressive: It covers the same square footage as most fold-up umbrellas, but it packs up to half the size. Seven inches tall, it’s honest-to-god back-pocket-able if you don’t wear rockstar-tight jeans (and you’ve weaned yourself off skinny jeans, right?). The small 38-inch canopy might not cover your head as well as the Blunt or Davek Elite, but for most conditions, it’ll serve you just fine—especially since the Mini is also backed by the brand’s unconditional lifetime guarantee.
Pros:
- Comes in every color of the rainbow
- Extremely compact and lightweight
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
- Can fit in a purse or small bag
Cons:
- Not as durable or windproof as Davek Elite
The Best Collapsible Umbrella: Blunt Metro
Most people prefer a collapsible umbrella, and this one is our favorite. Blunt’s unique umbrellas have a love-it or hate-it look—thanks to the hexagon shape and rounded edges—that also confer some strength benefits. (Personally, we like the look.) The company claims the umbrellas can resist winds of up to 55 miles per hour. What’s more important is that they bolster that claim with a two-year warranty. We didn’t face any near-hurricane-strength winds in our testing, but Blunt umbrellas did prove to be the most windproof. When other umbrellas inverted, Blunt held strong.
This umbrella also weighs less than a pound and packs up to the size of basically every other standard compact umbrella and your friends will nod approvingly if you opt for one of the fun color options. Its large canopy actually spins 360 degrees in case some ding dong knocks into it with their cheap umbrella, meaning the core mechanism won’t break. Solidly built. Not insanely expensive. A nifty design that’s as cool as an umbrella can look without being a full-on weep-if-you-lose-it fashion umbrella. Sold.
Pros:
- Withstands very heavy winds
- Lightweight and packable
- Lots of color options
- Easy to open and close
- Unique and modern hexagon design
Cons:
- Not as windproof as Blunt Classic
- Still almost 15 inches when closed
The Best Bubble Umbrella: Shed Rain Bubble
Bubble umbrellas aren’t for everyone, but some people love the transparent and deep dome for style and security reasons. You can leverage the see-through canopy to see where you're going in a sea of umbrellas and peak sidewalk traffic. That means you can fully duck your head under the canopy and be able to maneuver the streets without poking an eye out or crashing into oncoming crowds.
Shed Rain’s popular bubble surprised us in our testing. Despite the $20 price tag, this product held up well in heavy rain and very heavy wind gusts. One of our testers has been using it for over two years, and it’s still going strong. We wouldn’t expect it to last for a decade like our most heavy-duty picks, but it’s sturdier than it has a right to be for the price.
Pros:
- See-through canopy
- Backed by lifetime warranty
- Auto-open
Cons:
- No auto-close
- Not as windproof as our other picks
The Best Expert-Designed Umbrella: Weatherman
Who would you trust to design a good umbrella? A meteorologist might come to mind, and that's exactly who founded the Weatherman brand. One of the company’s most popular options is this collapsible one, which you can keep in your bag at all times so you're protected from inclement weather when hitting the town or going on your daily commute. It features an ergonomic handle, so your hand won’t cramp up from fighting those strong winds. In our tests, the umbrella could withstand winds up to (but not above) 30 miles per hour. The umbrella’s fast-drying fabric ensures you don't end up with a mildew smell in your bag.
Our chief umbrella tester raved about that ergonomic handle, which has a curved design that fits perfectly in the hand (it also makes it easy to push the auto-open button, making this a true one-hander). Our biggest issue is with the size. While this is a collapsible and portable umbrella, it’s still 19.5 inches in length when closed, which means it won’t fit inside handbags or even some backpacks like the Davek Mini. Still, Weatherman umbrellas are so popular that we recommend buying yours in a color other than black. If you don’t, a stranger might pick yours up from the communal umbrella holder by mistake and walk off with it.
Pros:
- Designed by a meteorologist
- Comfortable ergonomic handle
- Convenient auto-open and close
- Packable travel umbrella
- Can withstand heavy winds
Cons:
- Can invert in extreme wind gusts
- Almost 20 inches even when collapsed
The Best Umbrella on Amazon: G4Free
With nearly 30,000 reviews on Amazon, the G4Free umbrella is one of the most popular among the thousands of options that the 'Zon offers. What sets this umbrella apart from others is its double-vent design, which makes it more durable against strong winds by allowing gusts to pass through the design to prevent inverting or difficulty with holding it during harsh conditions. The fiberglass construction also helps with the durability of the umbrella while keeping it lightweight. Oh, and its 47-inch canopy will allow you to command the whole sidewalk in a very Kendall Roy-esque manner (foot traffic, be damned!). As one Amazon reviewer writes: “This umbrella is a great size allows for a lot of coverage, is easy to hold, and is durable. [A great] grab for the money.”
How We Tested
GQ shopping journalists personally tested all of the products in this guide for quality. With our top contenders in hand, the New York weather gods hit us with some particularly nasty showers. On three separate occasions, we were able to test our top picks in rain storms with wind gusts between 20 to 30 miles per hour (on one of our testing days, maximum wind speeds reached 39 miles per hour). That’s not just a little wind, but wind that makes it hard to walk.
In general, testing umbrellas is a pass/fail undertaking. Does it keep you dry? Does it withstand wind without inverting or falling apart? These are yes/no questions, and all of our recommendations passed these basic tests, though a few did invert when we held them sideways in extreme wind gusts. For collapsible and portable umbrellas, we considered how easily they collapsed down and fit inside average-size backpacks, handbags, and totes. And because most of our picks fall into the auto-open category, we checked to see how easily and reliably these umbrellas opened up and closed. On the rare occasions we found problems, we made sure to note these issues in this guide.
When the clouds parted, we selected seven hands-on tested umbrellas, including every major category: collapsible, portable travel umbrellas, and stick umbrellas (for the fancy lads).
What We Look for in an Umbrella
Durability: We keep making fun of cheap umbrellas for how badly they hold up against heavy rain and strong winds, but it's true: If yours can't hold its own against your own breath, there's no point in getting one. Make sure your umbrella has reinforced ribs—y'know, those things that keep the canopy open—durable canopy fabrics, and (if a brand feels so inclined to tout) an unflippable design that's usually backed by a fiberglass frame.
Size: You never know when Mother Nature might unleash her wrath, so you best have an umbrella on hand at all times. It's good to own a bunch of umbrellas for different situations, like one that's small enough to keep in your bag at all times and folds down when it's not in use (like our favorite compact umbrella, the Davek mini). Maybe it's more of a drizzle than a downpour: Consider flexing a fashion umbrella on the streets when you're walking through a sea of black canopies. Long, classic umbrellas might not be reasonable to carry all day, but keeping one in your car wouldn't hurt. Plus, those longer options also have a larger canopy to keep you and maybe one or two other people dry.
Price: Here’s what makes those umbrella hucksters outside the subway so frustrating: Even the best umbrella on our list will only set you back $30. We also tested $20 options that easily withstood gusts of 20 to 30 miles per hour.