Our aim was simple, to make an umbrella that was genuinely wind resistant, made from standard parts, without adding extra cost, without adding extra weight, and keeping it the same size and shape, so it can still be used normally and still be kept in a bag or handbag.

Testing Guarantee

We have thoroughly tested all of our parts in both everyday and wind tunnel conditions. We have used the best of the parts that are available commercially, which include:

• High density foam handle that will always feel warm
• Polygon high grade aluminium shaft, usually only seen on high-end umbrellas
• 190T pongee canopy, with a matt finish, usually only seen on high-end umbrellas
• Aluminium and fibreglass ribs
• High-grade steel tips
• halo® thread - sourced from Southampton shipbuilders

Research

We tested as many of the umbrellas from around the world that claimed to be wind resistant as we could find. We recorded at what speed they inverted and made sure we tested them all at their most vulnerable angle to get the most accurate result of how wind resistant they were. We used Southampton's R J Mitchell Wind Tunnel to record this. R J Mitchell was the British aircraft designer who worked for the Southampton aviation company Supermarine from 1916 until 1936. He is best known for leading the team that designed the Spitfire.

We also conducted two months of primary research in a rainy Central London, gathering information from commuters, who are the ones on foot in the wind and rain. Our design is a direct result of what people wanted to experience the most.

Our conclusion is that this is the most cost-effective way to render a fold up umbrella genuinely wind resistant, making it the best value-for-money umbrella money can buy.