New Zealand’s sunshine can feel surprisingly strong, even on days that don’t seem particularly hot. While sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are important parts of everyday sun protection, a UV umbrella can provide an extra layer of shade when you’re out and about.
And with New Zealand weather often changing throughout the day, choosing an umbrella that works for both sun and rain can make it an especially useful everyday essential.
But not every umbrella is designed for the same purpose. Some prioritise UV protection and style, some are made for children, while others offer a larger canopy or a more compact size for everyday carrying.
Here’s what to look for when choosing the right umbrella for you.
☂️ What to Look for When Choosing an Umbrella?
1. Check the UPF Rating
If sun protection is your priority, look for an umbrella with a clearly stated UPF rating.
UPF 50+ indicates a high level of UV protection and is a useful benchmark when comparing umbrellas designed for sun protection.
2. Think About Sun and Rain
A sun umbrella doesn’t necessarily need to be something you only use on hot summer days.
An umbrella designed for both sun and rain can be much more practical for everyday life, particularly when the weather changes unexpectedly.
Instead of carrying different umbrellas for different conditions, a versatile rain-or-shine design can stay in the car, work bag or everyday bag ready for either.
3. Choose the Right Size
Bigger isn’t always better.
A larger canopy provides more coverage, which can be useful in wet weather or when you expect to spend longer outdoors. However, a smaller folding umbrella is much easier to carry around every day.
Think about how you’re most likely to use your umbrella:
- Everyday sun protection: a UV umbrella that balances coverage and portability.
- School and family outings: a child-sized umbrella that is easier for little hands to manage.
- Work or outdoor use: a larger umbrella when extra coverage matters more than compact size.
- Handbags and travel: a compact folding umbrella that is easy to keep with you.
4. Consider How Easy It Is to Carry
An umbrella is only useful if you actually have it with you when you need it.
If you regularly walk, commute or travel, folded size and weight can matter just as much as canopy size. A compact umbrella is easier to keep in a handbag or backpack, while a larger umbrella may be better suited to the car, workplace or regular outdoor use.
5. Look at the Opening and Closing Mechanism
Small practical details can make a noticeable difference in everyday use.
Automatic opening and closing can be convenient when getting in and out of the car or carrying bags, while an easy-fold mechanism can make an umbrella more manageable for children.
For kids in particular, look for an age-appropriate size and features designed to make opening, closing and carrying the umbrella easier.
☂️ Which Umbrella Is Right for You?
There isn’t one perfect umbrella for every situation. The best choice depends on where you’ll use it, how much coverage you want and how portable it needs to be.
Here are some of the different umbrella styles available at Ego Store.
Fashion UV Umbrellas
Sun protection doesn’t have to look overly technical.
Our fashion-focused UV umbrellas combine practical sun protection with simple, easy-to-carry designs that work naturally with everyday outfits.
They’re a lovely choice for shopping, commuting, school pick-ups, holidays and days out when you want reliable shade without carrying something that feels bulky or overly utilitarian.
Kids’ UV Umbrellas
Children need an umbrella that feels manageable in their own hands rather than simply a smaller version of an adult umbrella.
Our kids’ automatic folding umbrellas feature UPF 50+ protection, a rain-or-shine canopy, reflective edging, rounded tips and an easy open-and-close design. There’s also space on the handle for adding a child’s name — particularly handy for school.
With a folded length of approximately 28 cm, they’re compact enough for outings and school bags while still providing useful coverage when children are outside.
Full-Size Folding Umbrellas
If you want more coverage without carrying a traditional long umbrella, a full-size folding umbrella offers a practical middle ground. With a generous canopy when open and a foldable design for easier storage, it works well for everyday outings, commuting and family use.
Our Pro Series Automatic UV Umbrella opens to approximately 105 cm across while folding down to around 32 cm, giving you generous everyday coverage in a more portable format. It’s also a practical umbrella to keep in the car, ready for rainy-day school pick-ups, weekend outings or those unexpectedly sunny afternoons.
→ Pro Series Automatic UV Umbrella – UPF50+
Compact Umbrellas for Everyday Carry
For handbags, backpacks, travel and everyday “just in case” use, a compact umbrella is hard to beat.
A smaller folded size makes it easier to keep an umbrella with you rather than leaving it at home because it feels too bulky. It can be particularly useful for commuting, travelling or dealing with New Zealand’s quickly changing weather.
When choosing a compact umbrella, consider the balance between folded size, weight and the amount of coverage you still want when it’s open.
🌦️ One Umbrella or More Than One?
For some people, one versatile umbrella is all they need. For others, different sizes make more sense for different situations.
You might keep a larger umbrella in the car for rainy days while carrying a compact one in your bag. Families may prefer child-sized umbrellas for the kids alongside a larger adult umbrella.
The important thing is choosing an umbrella that suits how you actually use it, rather than simply buying the biggest, smallest or most feature-packed option.
☀️ A Simple Extra Layer of Sun Protection
A UV umbrella isn’t a replacement for other sun-protection measures, but it can be a useful addition when you’re spending time outdoors.
Alongside appropriate clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, portable shade can make sunny days more comfortable — particularly when natural shade isn’t available.
And if your umbrella is suitable for both sun and rain, it becomes something you can reach for throughout the year rather than only during summer.