Coolibar UPF 50+ 42 Inch Sodalis Travel Umbrella - Sun Protective

You can really feel the difference under the umbrella during the sunny days. Unlike other umbrellas that can magnify the heat under the cover, with this one you can really feel that there is less heat and the UV protection is great. BUT this is NOT A WIND RESISTANT umbrella. Just a little gust of wind will flip this upside down. However, I bought this for the sun protection it offers so I am happy and bought another one when it went on sale.

This is the first umbrella I have purchased for shade protection. It really does help! I live in Arizona, so I was skeptical that it would make much of a difference, but it does! I also love that the silver exterior makes it feel a bit less odd walking in the sunshine with it. :) The handle has a comfortable grip, and it closes small enough to stash in your purse or briefcase. I only wish that it was a bit easier to close, as it takes strength to compress the metal rod back to its smaller size (which is required to then activate the button to open it again). Even with that downside, I would purchase this again or recommend for friends and family, as it really does help counteract the intensity of the sun. Coolibar is one of the few companies endorsed by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Be wary of cheaper imitations, as they are often made of subpar materials that dont truly block UVA and UVB rays.

i have had this umbrella before. it finally broke down, hence my recent purchase. it keeps me cooler when i walk in this southern california heat, and protects my skin. i keep it with me wherever i go. i also like the fact that it is compact, easy to keep in a bag when traveling. i have had other brands and they did not hold up. this one does.

I love this umbrella. This is the second one Ive purchased. I still use the first one I purchased about 12 years ago, but it is silver and is starting to look a little tired . When I saw this umbrella in blue, I thought it was so pretty that I decided to treat myself to a new one. As a resident in San Diego, we have many sunny days, and the UV rating gets higher all the time. As a fair skinned person, I take UV protection very seriously. Ive tried UV rated clothing, but always felt so uncomfortable due to the type of material used to create the UV protection. They claim to be wicking but that doesnt reduce the warmth I feel. The same goes for wearing a hat. Its just too uncomfortable since all my heat escapes through my head, not to mention how it flattens my hair. Using this umbrella makes the heat and sun very bearable as I walk to the gym or run errands each day, and I can wear sleeveless tank tops without concern for the sun. Of course, Ive been doing this for years so Im used to the odd looks I get sometimes, but most people say, what a great idea. I noticed that some reviews complain about the weight of the umbrella since it is considered a travel umbrella. This weight is caused by the thickness of the spines, which is what makes it such a quality umbrella. But holding it in position has never felt uncomfortable to me at all. This sturdiness is really helpful on windy days. On very windy days I have had it turn inside out, but I just turned the umbrella to face the opposite direction and it reverted back to its original shape. I have since learned how to hold the umbrella so that the dome faces the wind, and it wont turn inside out. However, this happens only on extremely windy days. As far as comfort goes, I once went to a store opening event and upon arrival saw the the line to get in was long and shade was limited; most people were standing in the sun. I did not have my UV umbrella with me, so I grabbed the small black rain umbrella I keep in the car. As I stood in line, I felt the heat despite of the shade that the umbrella provided. It was stifling! That is the problem with regular umbrellas since they dont reflect the sun so you get heated while using them. The Coolibar umbrella stays cool underneath and is very comfortable. I think the $49 price of Coolibars umbrella is reasonable for the quality. I paid the same price 12 years ago, and in the case of umbrellas, you definitely get what you pay for. I highly recommend this umbrella for anyone who is concerned about UV rays and being comfortable in the sun.

I received this umbrella in April but delayed writing a review until Ive actually used it. Its been really hot lately but its cool under this umbrella unlike the ones without UPF. Unfortunately 2 ribs have broken off & poked a hole in the material. I contacted Coolibar & they will send me a replacement. Its on back order until 8/15/13 but Ill wait - its worth waiting for.

This umbrella works very, very well. My skin is extremely sensitive to sun, especially on my face. I keep my Coolibar UPF 50+ umbrella in the trunk of my car so that it is always handy when I need to walk in direct sunlight, which is often. One small warning: the umbrella, when folded up, is a bit more bulky (but not heavier) than a regular rain umbrella. For me, that is now a small price to pay for the excellent protection that it provides. When I fold it up, I just toss it into a string bag or a small tote. I highly recommend this product.

It really is SIGNIFICANTLY cooler under one of these! Great product. If it wasnt so bulky id still be using it. I switched to the EuroSchirm Lite Trek umbrella instead. But my husband absolutely loves his Coolibar.

The fabric used in the umbrella is perfect, however, the ventilation of the umbrella is practically nonexistent. This umbrella cannot be used in the wind. It turns inside out very easily and is a hassle to use. It’s really only useful on a virtually windless day. You couldn’t use this at the beach at all. I used it on a walk in my hometown (not near the coast) on a spring day with mild winds and it turned inside out several times. I haven’t used it since, so it was a waste of money.

Love this!!! I was recently treated for a Cancerous Mole on my face and my daughter had insisted that I purchase this umbrella. She owns one also. I get teased that Im keeping the Aliens away, but at the same time more of my family members and friends are buying one too. It works great, and feels good when Im under it, because it not only keeps me cool, but also its comforting to know Ive got good protection. Its big enough to get good coverage, and compact enough to store in my purse. The slip cover is a tad awkward at times to get off, but Im ok with it because its keeping my umbrella from getting soiled or broken. I never go outside without it, even if its just walking a short distance until Im out of the sun.