This is not a new bit of kit, or even a new idea. But rather, it’s one I’ve recently come to see isn’t quite as ludicrous as I might once have believed.
Now, before we go any further, let’s address the umbrella-shaped elephant in the room: a brolly isn’t always appropriate. If you need your hands for scrambling, if it’s a Force 8 gale, or you’re using poles, then a good waterproof jacket is the way to go.
But when viewed not as an alternative but rather a versatile addition to your weather-beating kit, an umbrella starts to make a lot more sense.
Pros
- Protects from rain and sunlight
- Easy to stow in a backpack's side pocket
- Stays functional in high winds
Cons
- Literally nothing at all, go get one
| RRP: | £15 |
| Closed length: | 51cm |
| Open diameter: | 110cm |
| Weight: | 465g |
| Colours | Black, Ultra White, Burgundy Red, Asphalt Blue |
| Other sizes (diameter) | Micro (91cm); Medium (123cm); Large (145cm) |
Last year, while hiking the GR20 in Corsica, I was surprised to see our guide Paulin carrying a brolly – a Decathlon ProFilter brolly as it happens.
Naturally, I asked him why, and he told me that unless the rain is really bad and accompanied by wind, his brolly offered as much, if not more, protection than a hooded jacket, because it protected most of himself and his pack.
Plus, in warm but wet conditions (something we’re all too familiar with here in the UK), it kept him comfortably ventilated, unlike the clammy confines of a waterproof jacket. But perhaps most useful of all, this particular brolly also offered excellent sun protection.
When we stopped for a break on the GR20, most of us would look for a rock or bush to slump behind to avoid the worst of the searing Corsican heat. This hid us from the sun, but often also the best views. Meanwhile, Paulin could sit wherever he wished, pop up the parasol, and enjoy lunchtime views in shaded comfort.
I was sold. I acquired a small Decathlon ProFilter Umbrella as soon as I got back to Blighty. But if you still need some convincing, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of the brolly…
Our five favourite things about the ProFilter umbrella
1. Dual protection
A brolly’s main job is to keep the rain off you, and the Decathlon ProFilter Umbrella does so admirably. But this brolly also has something to offer when the sun is shining.
The fabric has UPF50+ sun protection, making it a more versatile piece of weather protection. Other sizes are available, but the 110cm diameter of the Small size offers the best balance of protection and portability.
2. Strength tested
The wind is probably an umbrella’s greatest enemy, but Decathlon has done its best to ensure the ProFilter brolly won’t fail at the first gust.
Wind-tunnel tested at speeds up to 50km/h (30mph), the robust fibreglass frame won’t break even if it gets turned inside out. And at higher wind speeds, common sense dictates that using an umbrella is not smart.
3. Easy up
Putting an umbrella up is hardly a difficult task, but Decathlon has tried to make the process as simple as possible with the ProFilter brolly. A simple push of a button sees the brolly extend and expand for near-instantaneous weather protection from sun or rain.
4. Convenient carry
Although the 465g that the umbrella will add to your pack isn’t quite as light as we might like, there has to be a balance between weight and reliability.
A few extra grams in exchange for the robustness of the frame feels like a fair deal. That said, the relatively short collapsed length and convenient sleeve make it simple to carry the brolly down the side of your pack.
5. Recycled fabrics
Through analysis of the umbrella’s environmental footprint, Decathlon has been able to identify the most impactful stages of its lifecycle.
By making use of recycled fabrics and dope-dyed yarn, it has been able to make a reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions of production compared to previous and similar products.
Verdict
An umbrella might not be for everyone, but for those hikers sold on the benefits of a brolly, we know the Decathlon ProFilter is tried, tested, and highly recommended.
About the author
Ben Weeks is Trail magazine's long-serving gear editor – and the perfect person to trust for an out of pocket kit recommendation. He discovered the joys of using an umbrella on the GR20, and he'll be smugly basking in shaded glory on sunlit peaks all summer long.