April showers become less arduous when you’ve got a quality brolly to hand, so Rachael Sharpe opens up a selection that Mary Poppins herself would be proud of
AUTOMATIC OPENERS
The compact cover
This umbrella is the perfect size to slip into a bag or tuck under an arm if you don’t quite trust your weather app’s prediction that it probably won’t rain. Press the auto-open button for instant coverage that, thanks to Blunt’s 360° spinning tech and non-pointy tips, can shrug off careless knocks. £70 / bluntumbrellas.co.uk
The lightweight lifter
It stows away small, but this one will still keep two people dry in inclement weather. It features a handy automatic opening and closing mechanism, but the magic is its weight: at 184g, the carbon-ribbed Zero Magic is stable yet so light you could almost forget you’re holding it. £40 /doppler-umbrellas.co.uk
The wider wonder
If ‘choose well, buy once’ is your motto, this could be the model for you: it’s extremely sturdy and features a spacious canopy with a 120cm diameter –plenty for two. Its corrosion-resistant ribs offer both flexibility and durability, while the push-button opening and leather strap add luxe appeal. £159 / davek.co.uk
WIND WARRIORS
The greener guardian
This serious black number has a 100% recycled polyester canopy with a PFC-free water-repellent coating, and despite its compactness it opens out to a generous 107cm diameter. It’s solidly made and Totes reckons it’ll withstand 60% stronger winds than the previous model. £40 / totes.co.uk
The intentional inverter
Never mind the button-opening mechanism for deploying with one hand: the clever bit here is that the 100% recycled canopy flexes to move with the wind. If it’s caught by a strong blast of air, it will safely flip out and then revert afterwards. £39 / londonundercover.co.uk
STYLE STATEMENTS
Available in a myriad of colourways and patterns, this little quacker gets full marks for sustainability as well as retro chic: the canopy is made of 100% recycled plastic bottles, and even the charming duck’s head handle is carved from sustainably sourced birch. £36 / originalduckhead.com
The posh protector
The Fulton brand carries a Royal Warrant of Appointment, and the Marquise is part of its premium Diamond Collection. Oooh! It’s durable and lightweight, while the enamelled hardwa
