As for weight, stay clear of heavy and bulky designs – unless you don’t have to think about carrying anything else. At the same time, be mindful that while aluminium is lighter than steel, it also breaks much more easily. It comes supplied with two storm rods, and a removeable groundsheet and folds away into a carry bag. If Fulton brollies are good enough for the Queen, they’re good enough for us! The brand has a royal warrant and some of its birdcage and stormshield shapes are really well known and a real game-changer when you give them a go. The best bit is, it’s not too pricey.

By doing this, we whittled our longlist down and chose a top list that we think offers something for every child, style and price point. Why you should trust us Structured like a traditional fishing umbrella, the sides are useful. This helps if you’re fishing in windy conditions, or you need extra protection from the sun. Steer well clear of low-cost, lightweight folding umbrellas. Sure, they’re cheap, but that’s normally because they’re made from low-quality materials and a frame that’s likely to see bits of aluminium poking out in odd places as soon as the slightest wind gets up. We suggest you also avoid umbrellas that fold into lots of parts, as they’re generally more flimsy, often difficult to operate and can pinch your fingers. What type of handle should I go for?

The Best Expert-Designed Umbrella: Weatherman

verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ Despite the high-quality materials, the umbrella is surprisingly lightweight and the manual opening works smoothly, with a decent-sized polyester canopy. The company runs a repair service for its own umbrellas, too. Paul Smith makes beautiful brollies. Whether you choose a rainbow number or more sensible brolly with a smart, signature stripy trim, they are guaranteed to brighten your day. Unsurprisingly, this brand isn’t the cheapest, but it is designer and super covetable. When you're choosing an umbrella for your child, you need to determine what matters the most. It could be the weight, it might be the size, or perhaps you need the design to be as appealing as possible. The most important aspect should lead your buying decision. Do children need an umbrella? If you want to ensure your umbrella won’t blow inside-out in howling winds, consider a vented or two-layer fabric canopy. Also consider a brolly with fibreglass ribs, which flex with the wind rather than breaking. If you can afford it, look for a canopy with a polyester pongee fabric for increased strength and water resistance. The more common nylon canopy is fine for occasional showers, however.

On the subject of the canopy, make sure it’s big enough – to avoid wet shoulders – and think about the shape and style. The classic birdcage can be pulled right down over your shoulders, while the ingenious Senz shape protects you from the rain, whatever direction it’s coming from.Some anglers may prefer to keep this fitted, which is useful if setting up your umbrella over wet ground. This proved to be easy using the telescopic alloy storm rods. It took me around 5 minutes. The best umbrellas you can buy in 2023 1. Blunt Classic Umbrella: Best umbrella for sheer performance London Undercover makes umbrellas in a rainbow of colours, that are certain to brighten up the greyest of days. While they might be fun, the brollies are incredible quality with wooden handles and traditional construction. The umbrella handle should ideally be cushioned, or at least comfortable to hold in either your left or right hand, as you never know what else you’ll have to carry. And a good grip is essential for windier weather. A wooden curved handle, for instance, will not only look vintage but will offer a better grip during transportation when the umbrella is folded down. What features should I look out for? This umbrella is our winner because it's clear that children's wet weather needs have been front of mind throughout the design process. How we chose our recommendations

Senz makes one of the quirkiest and most eye-catching umbrellas on the market. But the slightly outlandish shape is based on aerodynamics and promises to keep you dry(ish) in a gale. In the UK it tends to rain a lot and there's nothing worse than dealing with soggy sprogs when out and about. To prepare for the elements, everybody should have an umbrella to hand and that includes children. What is the best kids’ umbrella to buy? Key features – Canopy size: 88cm diameter; Length when folded: 71cm; Weight: 350g; Other c olours available? Yes