Winner
The sun is an incredibly important part of our life on Earth – in fact, without it, the plant and animal life on the planet wouldn’t exist, including humans. But for all the good roles the sun plays in our lives, spending time out in the sun can have dire consequences as well. Sunburns, blistering, and the pain associated with them may not seem like a big price to pay for enjoying time out in the sun. However, as we now know, UV radiation from sunlight not only fries your skin and causes sunburns, but it can damage the DNA of your skin cells too, raising your risk of skin cancer significantly.
Sunscreen is an important way to keep yourself safe, as is wearing a hat. But sometimes, that’s not enough. Umbrellas or parasols to ward off direct sunlight have waxed and waned over the years, but are now making a comeback. UV protection umbrellas are the latest incarnation of this classic accessory, and can make a real difference in protecting the sensitive skin on your head, face, and neck from the sun’s dangerous UV rays this summer. Read on to learn more about some of the best UV umbrellas available, why you should buy a UV umbrella, what features and characteristics to look for in a good UV protection umbrella, and more.
UV umbrellas offer superior, portable UV protection. When combined with sunscreen and/or a hat, they can keep you entirely safe from the harmful UV radiation the sun puts out. This is especially important for fair-skinned or pale individuals, who often don’t tan well and go straight to harmful sunburns. Whether you’re walking around outdoors for prolonged periods of time, standing still waiting on line somewhere exposed to the sun, or spending a day at the beach, a quality UV blocking umbrella can be an ideal way to stay protected. It can also help you stay cool, by providing artificial shade during the hottest summer days. There are a number of styles, shapes, colors, and types of UV umbrellas available to suit your individual personality and fashion sense. They also make great gifts – affordable, practical, and showing a friend or loved one you care about their health and well-being.
UV umbrellas broadly fall into one of several categories. Some are designed to be extremely small and compact, fitting in a purse or bag easily when they are collapsed. Others are much more akin to traditional umbrellas in terms of their size and footprint. Many UV umbrellas also are designed to double as practical, rain-repelling umbrellas, though not all offer that particular feature. Different colors, styles, and sizes of UV umbrellas are available to suit your tastes. Like regular umbrellas, the overall sturdiness and durability of the umbrella can vary considerably depending on the design, price point, and quality of materials used, with some being much more resistant to inverting in the wind than others. Additionally, some UV umbrellas have vents (that don’t impair the UV protection) in order to help keep you cool while under the umbrella, whereas others do not have that feature.
There are numerous UV umbrellas available on the market today. These include full-size models and compact-size UV umbrellas, more convenient for travel or occasional use. The list below is by no means exhaustive, but some of the top UV protection umbrellas available today include:
Rainbrace Sun UV Umbrella – compact, folding, rain umbrella, waterproof
Sun Tek 68” UV Umbrella – wind resistant, vented canopy
Umenice UPF 50+ UV Umbrella – travel, ultra light weight
Zameka Double Layer Umbrella – reversible, windproof, many printed designs
TradMall Travel Umbrella – lightweight and compact
Of course, these only scratch the surface of the UV protection umbrellas that are available today, especially through online retailers. You’re bound to find one that fits your unique size, style, color, and functional requirements, with an affordable price, which will keep you safe from the sun’s harmful UV rays all summer long.
When you’re shopping for a UV umbrella, there are several different factors, features, and characteristics that you should consider. Some of the most critical features are highlighted below.
UV protection – This is the whole point of buying a UV umbrella, so it’s very important to make sure it offers significant UV protection. Regular rain umbrellas do not typically include this feature, so it’s important to ensure the umbrella you are considering is either an all-in-one or primarily a UV protection umbrella.
Size – You’ll want a UV umbrella that is large enough to cover all of your upper body, but not so big and unwieldy or heavy that you don’t use it. You can’t get protection out of the UV umbrella if it’s sitting in your bag, your purse, or at home.
Rain protection – Whether or not the umbrella is designed to also offer rain protection, like a traditional umbrella, is a key point of differentiation between many models.
Durability – The quality of the construction and materials, and how well the UV umbrella will hold up over time – including under windy conditions – is an important aspect in determining the value for your money when purchasing a UV protection umbrella.
Price – The bottom line is usually a driving factor for many people when considering purchasing a UV umbrella or pretty much any other household item.
The best UV umbrella for you should include all the features and qualities you are looking for, offering superb UV protection, and be priced fairly compared to the other options that are on the market. That’s what makes the best UV umbrella for you in particular, which may be very different than what your neighbor or friend would consider the ideal choice.
UV protection umbrellas are a simple, fashionable, cost-effective way to keep your skin safe from dangerous UV rays as you spend time out in the sun this summer. They can help keep you cool, and, in some cases, also double as a rain umbrella – perfect if you get caught in a sudden afternoon shower! Do your skin and your health a favor: use sunscreen, wear a hat, don’t spend too long in direct sunlight, and buy a high-quality UV umbrella to use this summer!