Best windproof umbrella UK 2023: We tested 11 of the best breeze-proof brollies, including Fulton, Blunt and Knirps
AN umbrella that can survive the worst British weather is a rare commodity.
Often umbrellas promised to be windproof or wind resistant will leave you soaking wet, miserable and clutching a broken, twisted, inside-out brolly.
To be a truly windproof umbrella, models need to be designed with specific functionality in mind.
Vented canopies are a key part of windproof and wind resistant brollies as they allow strong breezes to dissipate, preventing inversion.
Look for lightweight, flexible materials such as fibreglass and aluminium, extra struts to strengthen the canopy and reinforced joints to withstand winds and help protect from breakage.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best windproof umbrellas out there, from brands such as Fulton, totes and Blunt and put them through their paces to find out which umbrellas are worth investing in.
Whether you’re looking for a huge canopy to keep you dry from the Saturday football sidelines, a lightweight brolly to carry around the golf course or a compact wind resistant umbrella to slip into your handbag, these windproof umbrellas have got you covered (literally).
Best windproof umbrellas at a glance:
- Most stylish windproof umbrella: Fulton Magnum Auto Black
- Best sporty windproof umbrella: Blunt Sport umbrella
- Best umbrella for extreme weather: Fulton Cyclone Umbrella
- Best compact windproof umbrella: totes ECO-BRELLA® X-TRA STRONG PLUS
- Best budget windproof umbrella: Argos Windproof Golf Umbrella
- Best tiny windproof umbrella: Knirps US.050 Ultra Light Slim Manual Folding Umbrella
Fulton Magnum Auto Black
- Fulton Magnum Auto Black, £25 from Amazon - buy here
Pros: Auto open, wooden handle, stylish design, compact fold
Cons: Only big enough for one person
Rating: 5/5
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This stunningly simple black umbrella from British brand Fulton features a genuine wood crook handle, which is both comfy to hold and lovely to look at.
It also benefits from an automatic open button, so you can be sheltered in seconds.
The canopy is made from recycled plastic and designed with 10 struts rather than the traditional eight for extra strength in even the windiest weather.
This brolly has been designed to withstand inversion; you simply close in the normal way and re-open to restore the normal shape.
Weight: 520g Folded length: 49cm Canopy size: 104cm
Roka Waterloo Recycled Nylon Umbrella
- Roka Recycled Nylon Umbrella, £24.95 from Amazon - buy here
Pros: Recycled materials, good price, auto open and close, vented canopy
Cons: Only big enough for one person
Rating: 5/5
This cheery umbrella from B Corp Roka, fits an awful lot of functionality into one small package.
Made from triple-coated recycled nylon, the vented canopy stands up brilliantly against both wind and rain, on a fiberglass frame that manages to be both lightweight and sturdy.
The automatic open and close is impressively springy and the fact it can slot in the side of a rucksack is a massive plus point (and all for under £25).
We loved the little extra bit of grip on the handle, which meant it didn’t get slippy even if it was wet.
Weight: Not specified Folded length: 30cm Canopy size: 92cm
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Fulton Cyclone
- Fulton Cyclone Umbrella,
£45£36.97 from Amazon - buy here
Pros: Large canopy, carry bag, well priced
Cons: Heavy
Rating: 5/5
Specifically designed with the most adverse weather conditions in mind, with the Fulton Cyclone in your hand you can brave drenching downpours, thunderstorms (the shaft is purposefully made with non-conductive fiberglass) and yes, probably even cyclones — although we wouldn't recommend it.
The patented super-strength construction of the large canopy has been wind tunnel tested in speeds of up to 78mph and it feels expertly balanced with the durable (and funky) green polycarbonate joints.
We really loved the squashy ergonomic handle which made holding even this reasonably weighty brolly feel fairly easy and the zippable carry bag with detachable strap.
Weight: 878g Folded length: 100cm Canopy size: 131cm
Blunt Sport Umbrella
- Blunt Sport Umbrella, £120.99 from Amazon - buy here
Pros: Enormous canopy, well-balanced, carry case
Cons: Expensive, heavy
Rating: 4/5
Of all the windproof umbrellas we tested, this one had the largest canopy. When it’s up it really is HUGE – almost like a beach umbrella.
This full coverage feels designed especially with committed golfers or football coaches in mind, as despite its gigantic size it’s perfectly balanced to stay upright and strong against the elements. It even comes with its own stylish carry case for easy transportation.
The modular design of the Blunt umbrellas mean that if any part of your umbrella does become damaged it can be easily repaired, rather than thrown away.
Weight: 948g Folded length: 99cm Canopy size: 146cm
totes Eco-Brella X-tra Strong Plus
- Eco-Brella X-tra Strong Plus, £40 from totes - buy here
Pros: Compact size, recycled PET polyester canopy, auto open/close
Cons: Smaller one-person canopy
Rating: 4/5
Hoping to find an umbrella that’s small enough to fit into your backpack yet sturdy enough to withstand seriously blustery conditions?
This tough little brolly from totes’ X-tra Strong range has a reinforced aluminum and steel frame that has been wind tunnel tested to ensure it can remain open on even the blowiest days.
We really loved the satisfying one-button open/close mechanism, which means you can promptly pop your umbrella up with just one hand, and the fact that the canopy is made from 100% recycled polyester.
Weight: 428g Folded length: 32cm Canopy size: 107cm
Knirps S.770 Long Automatic Stick Umbrella
- Knirps S.770 Long Automatic Stick Umbrella, £97.87 from Amazon - buy here
Pros: Automatic open, classic design, strong windproof canopy
Cons: Expensive, large
Rating: 4/5
Style and substance in one gorgeous package.
Wind tunnel tested in speeds of up to 65mph, this elegant stick umbrella from specialist makers Knirps will not let you down.
It comes with a sleek snap fastener case and opens smoothly at the press of a button. The large canopy feels fantastically sturdy thanks to the 10-strut design and the wooden hook handle is simply gorgeous.
Weight: 665g Folded length: 91cm Canopy size: 115cm
Knirps US.050 Ultra Light Slim Manual Folding Umbrella
- Knirps US.050 Ultra Light Slim Manual Folding Umbrella,
£39.99£32.27 from Amazon - buy here
Pros: Tiny compact, very lightweight, flexible frame
Cons: Smaller canopy, not as robust as others on the list
Rating: 4/5
Looking for a compact travel umbrella that will provide you with both rain and wind protection?
Knirps is the original compact umbrella creator and is a market leader when it comes to small but mighty brollies.
The US.050 weighs about as much as a small apple, is barely noticeable when chucked in a bag and it’s even slim enough to pop in a pocket.
However, it can also withstand winds of up to 60 mph thanks to its flexible struts.
Weight: 115g Folded length: 21cm Canopy size: 90cm
Doppler Zero XXL Stick Umbrella
- Doppler Zero XXL Stick Umbrella, £39.99 from Amazon - buy here
Pros: Very lightweight, windproof, large canopy
Cons: Not compact, thinner canopy
Rating: 4/5
Weighing roughly the same as a can of coke, this is the lightest stick umbrella we came across; it's even lighter than some compact umbrellas.
It feels almost weightless when folded in your hand, a fact which is even more impressive when you open up the large 130cm canopy, which is big enough for two to fit beneath.
The high quality fibreglass and aluminium materials have also been put to the test in a wind tunnel with speeds up to 70mph.
It's ideal for windy walks or camping trips when you don’t want to be weighed done by tonnes of extra equipment.
Weight: 350g Folded length: 96cm Canopy size: 130cm
Davek Elite
- Elite Umbrella, £178.80 from Davek - buy here
Pros: modern design, leather handle, lifetime guarantee, large canopy.
Cons: Not compact, expensive
Rating: 4/5
A contemporary take on a classic sleek umbrella, this is a luxury item, which delivers on the admittedly high price tag.
With a comfortable leather handle, wind-tension, a fiberglass frame and a huge domed canopy this is the kind of umbrella that’d be seen on windswept red carpet events.
We tried out the classic black colour, but the deep navy and bright copper are both stunning options too and the durable 210-thread-count canopy will keep out even the heaviest of downpours.
Weight: 709g Folded length: 89cm Canopy size: 127cm
Gustbuster Metro Windproof Umbrella
- Gustbuster Metro Windproof Umbrella, £36.99 from Amazon - buy here
Pros: Unflippable, compact, carry bag, lifetime guarantee
Cons: Smaller canopy
Rating: 3/5
As the name suggests, Gustbuster prides itself on making umbrellas that can withstand even the windiest conditions.
Featuring a patented vented teardrop design these umbrellas are tested by the US College of Aeronautics in speeds of up to 55 mph and are claimed to be unflippable.
We really put this brolly through its paces on a clifftop walk and the canopy stayed in place.
The automatic open and close mechanism was really impressive (just make sure there are no small children nearby!) and the carry bag has straps, so you can pop it on your back.
It may not be the prettiest brolly and for a compact umbrella, it is on the larger side, but the functionality more than makes up for this.
Weight: 500g Folded length: 40cm Canopy size: 98cm
Argos Windproof Golf Umbrella
- Windproof Golf Umbrella, £14 from Argos - buy here
Pros: Large canopy, simple design, low price
Cons: A little bit flimsy, one colour only
Rating: 3/5
A generous, classic, windproof umbrella for under £15?
This simple black brolly from Argos delivers a large wind and rainproof canopy to protect you from harsh winds and rain, a comfy easy-grip handle and a classic design all for a miniscule £14.
In terms of windproofing, it definitely wasn’t the sturdiest umbrella we tested and it may not last as long as some other umbrellas on the list, but you still get a lot of umbrella for your money.
Weight: 480g Folded length: 125cm Canopy size: 144cm
Do windproof umbrellas work?
There may not be a completely “wind proof” umbrella as such, but there are lots of ways to make an umbrella more wind resistant and suitable for seriously strong winds.
Windproof or wind resistant umbrellas often have vented canopies that allow air to dissipate so that the brolly is less likely to turn inside out, as well as reinforced joints, that are protected from breakage.
Some of the umbrellas on our list such as the Blunt Sport and Fulton Cyclone felt like they would stay in place even in strong winds, whereas others like the Fulton Magnum Auto Black are designed to be wind resistant and withstand inversion.
How much are windproof umbrellas?
Windproof and wind resistant umbrellas can vary greatly in price depending on size and functionality.
For a strong, windproof brolly that performs well in more aggressive weather you can expect to pay around £20 for a cheaper model and up to £300 for larger umbrellas with lots of clever features.
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Where to buy windproof umbrellas
You can buy windproof umbrellas from specialist umbrella shops as well as sports and outdoor shops, department stores, supermarkets and online shops such as Amazon.
Look for well known, quality brands such as Fulton, Blunt and Knirps for a windproof umbrella that will last.