Reduce Sun at the Shore with Beach Umbrellas
Once you’ve had beach umbrellas you won’t want to go back to the dark ages of life without one. Beach shade, baby!
Taking a trip to the seaside is incredible, whether you do it once a year or once a day. The waves lapping on the sand provide relaxation, and children never seem to tire of sand play, sand castles, and wave hopping.
We as humans generally go to the beach because it’s sunny. Duh. Obvious, but true. Absorbing a little vitamin D from the suns rays is one of the best things about life. The down side is that straight sunshine can be overwhelming after a bit. If you have ever been to the Kona beaches on the sunny side of the Big Island, or to the shores of Maui, you know what I am talking about. Great beaches. Great sunshine. But also potentially very, very hot if you are there in the middle of the day. A shading umbrella makes sense.
When it’s time to hit the beach, there are some things you can’t forget to pack, such as sunglasses, towels, swimsuits, sun block—and of course, a beach umbrella large enough for you and your group of friends. You want to enjoy the sun without having to worry about sunburn, after all! Cool off with the shade a good beach umbrella can provide.
So what are the things you should look out for when purchasing a beach umbrella? Check if it offers UPF—or Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It should probably have at least UPF25 at a minimum (stronger is considered better) if it’s going to keep you protected properly from the sun. You should also see if the umbrella you’re eyeing is waterproof—that way, you’re prepared for any unexpected weather coming your way.
Another thing to consider is the weight of your beach umbrella. You’ll be packing that and maybe carrying it a few miles to your intended beach spot, so if it’s too heavy, it might end up being a hassle to lug around. The usual weight of beach umbrellas is from five to ten pounds.
Also, think of how large you want your umbrella to be. Will this be for the kids, or for the adults? Just how many people will be sitting underneath this umbrella, anyway? Take these factors in consideration before purchasing your umbrella. Bigger might be better, but it also might be heavier! Of course, some umbrellas are foldable and easy to install, so size might not matter too much. Weigh your options first.
Check what material your umbrella pole is made of. Aluminum, plastic and wood are the usual materials for umbrella poles. While plastic is cheaper, wood or metal may be more long-lasting. Poles that have a screw in point at the bottom, propeller style, can go deep into the sand.
On the other hand, umbrellas made of plastic are portable, while most umbrellas that have wooden poles are more likely to be part of your set up by your home pool as an outdoor umbrella with a stand. There are certain wooden umbrellas that are portable, but you can expect them to cost a little more than plastic umbrellas.
Weight and portability are key. See what the total weight is for the product you are considering. It’s kind of a trade-off. You want something easy to carry, but you do not want light and flimsy, and about to fall apart.
Does the product have vents in the fabric? This is designed to allow the wind to partially blow through and to preserve the integrity of the umbrella itself.
Can the top of the umbrella be tilted to provide shade for you as the sun shifts through the sky? Tilting and rotating mean that the umbrella can change position, so that you don’t have to move and rearrange things every time the sun starts to hit.
Umbrella hooks are designed as an add-on accessory for purchase which can hold your beach bags. Similarly, an umbrella table is a little table shelf you can buy that attaches to the umbrella; this might be good for holding a cell phone, but not much more.
Does it come with a carrying bag? Do you care whether it does or doesn’t, or can you live without it? Some sellers offer a carry bag for the umbrella as an incentive for the buyers.
Just remember, after choosing which umbrella to bring to the beach, you still need to put on sun block! Certain umbrellas may block off the rays of the sun, but it’s no substitute for a sun block’s SPF.
In the end, it’s important you have fun at the beach whether you’re with your family or your friends. Enjoy your vacation with a good shading beach umbrella!
0 comments
Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment