A Brolly Worth Its Salt: Testing Britain's Best Umbrellas in the Peak District
As I stood atop Mam Tor, battling against a near-gale force wind that threatened to sweep me off my feet, I couldn't help but wonder which of my trusty brollies would emerge victorious. Would they withstand the fierce gusts and torrential downpours that seemed to come with the territory?
With photographer Christian Hopewell in tow, we lugged our umbrellas out of my backpack and onto the windswept summit, determined to put them through their paces. As we posed for photos against a backdrop of breathtaking Peak District landmarks, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Would these delicate tools be able to withstand the fury of the elements?
The verdict? Not all umbrellas are created equal. While some lightweight, folding models were quickly reduced to a fluttering mess in the wind, others proved surprisingly resilient. It was heartening to see that my top-rated London Undercover Classic emerged unscathed, its dual-layered canopy withstanding even the most intense gusts.
So what makes a good umbrella? For starters, it's clear that not all brollies are created equal. From £30 to over £100, these tools come in all shapes and sizes – but is quality reflected in the price tag?
As I delved deeper into my research, one thing became clear: investing in a high-quality umbrella can be a shrewd move. Not only do they tend to perform better in adverse weather conditions, but many also boast impressive durability and repairability.
Of course, there's no substitute for personal experience. As someone who has lost count of the number of umbrellas I've broken over the years (it's a tragic tale of soggy silks and twisted metal), I can attest to the importance of finding an umbrella that truly lives up to its promises.
So what are this season's top picks? From posh slippers to French-Girl hairpins, our January style essentials are sure to brighten even the gloomiest of days. And if you're more interested in hibernating than getting fit, don't worry – we've got 42 cold-weather pick-me-ups to help you cosy up by the fire.
But there's one thing that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face: a brightly coloured umbrella. Whether it's a sentimental gift or simply something beautiful that always brings a sense of joy, these cheerful tools are sure to brighten up even the most overcast of days.
So what's your go-to brolly? Share with us in the comments or drop us an email at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!
As I stood atop Mam Tor, battling against a near-gale force wind that threatened to sweep me off my feet, I couldn't help but wonder which of my trusty brollies would emerge victorious. Would they withstand the fierce gusts and torrential downpours that seemed to come with the territory?
With photographer Christian Hopewell in tow, we lugged our umbrellas out of my backpack and onto the windswept summit, determined to put them through their paces. As we posed for photos against a backdrop of breathtaking Peak District landmarks, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Would these delicate tools be able to withstand the fury of the elements?
The verdict? Not all umbrellas are created equal. While some lightweight, folding models were quickly reduced to a fluttering mess in the wind, others proved surprisingly resilient. It was heartening to see that my top-rated London Undercover Classic emerged unscathed, its dual-layered canopy withstanding even the most intense gusts.
So what makes a good umbrella? For starters, it's clear that not all brollies are created equal. From £30 to over £100, these tools come in all shapes and sizes – but is quality reflected in the price tag?
As I delved deeper into my research, one thing became clear: investing in a high-quality umbrella can be a shrewd move. Not only do they tend to perform better in adverse weather conditions, but many also boast impressive durability and repairability.
Of course, there's no substitute for personal experience. As someone who has lost count of the number of umbrellas I've broken over the years (it's a tragic tale of soggy silks and twisted metal), I can attest to the importance of finding an umbrella that truly lives up to its promises.
So what are this season's top picks? From posh slippers to French-Girl hairpins, our January style essentials are sure to brighten even the gloomiest of days. And if you're more interested in hibernating than getting fit, don't worry – we've got 42 cold-weather pick-me-ups to help you cosy up by the fire.
But there's one thing that's guaranteed to put a smile on your face: a brightly coloured umbrella. Whether it's a sentimental gift or simply something beautiful that always brings a sense of joy, these cheerful tools are sure to brighten up even the most overcast of days.
So what's your go-to brolly? Share with us in the comments or drop us an email at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!
️. The idea that investing in a high-quality umbrella can make a significant difference in its ability to withstand harsh weather conditions is definitely worth considering 
. It's also interesting to see how different materials and designs can impact the overall usability of an umbrella, from the weight of lightweight models to the durability of more premium options 
.
who needs a fancy umbrella when you can just use a trash bag and some string 
idk what's more impressive, their brollies are actually pretty good or they found someone to pose in the background with 
. And yeah, brightly coloured umbrellas are always a mood booster - who doesn't love a fun pop of colour on a rainy day? 
I'm all for a good umbrella, especially when it comes to braving those UK weather conditions 
. Don't get me wrong, I love a good bargain, but if you're gonna splurge on something, it should at least have some decent quality to it 
. But seriously, finding a reliable one that doesn't turn into a soggy mess in the rain would be a total game-changer 
.
. And what's up with the different layers of canopies? It's like science or something 
.
I mean, £30 to over £100 can be a bit steep for some people's budgets, and maybe you just need something that gets the job done without breaking the bank 
. Anyway, I think that's what makes a good umbrella - not just its functionality but also its style 
.
. Like, aren't all umbrellas supposed to be good at keeping us dry? 
?
. Think about it, who needs a top-rated umbrella when we can just rely on the government to provide for us? 
But no, instead of talking about that, they're making us spend our hard-earned cash on overpriced umbrellas 
Don't we deserve to know about those options too? This is just another example of the powers-that-be hiding the truth from us 
.
, they're just not made like they used to be anymore. I mean, what's wrong with a good ol' fashioned automatic open/close mechanism? They just don't make 'em like they did back in the day 
. And don't even get me started on the materials, all that fancy-schmancy nylon stuff is just not as durable as good old canvas 
️!
