Best Hiking Umbrellas of 2023

JUMP TO: GOSSAMER GEAR LIGHTREK | SNOWPEAK ULTRA-LIGHT | MONTBELL LONG TAIL | MONTBELL SUNBLOCK | HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR ESSENTIAL | SEA TO SUMMIT ULTRA-SIL | SIX MOON DESIGNS SILVER SHADOW ULTRALIGHT | BUYING ADVICE

Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Oct 18, 2023
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The Short Version

The Long Version

Hiking umbrellas may appear to be an oddly specific, unnecessary extravagance to the uninitiated. But converts know the truth: hiking umbrellas are a versatile and extremely valuable addition to any backpacking kit.

With a hiking umbrella, you get rain and wind protection without suffocating under rain gear. You get protection from heat and UV rays without the hassle of sunscreen, bucket hats, and long sleeves. Umbrellas can even double as a cook shelter at camp or be used to add extra protection to your tent or tarp setup.

 
 

Thru-hikers and ultralight enthusiasts, always looking to do more with less, were the first champions of hiking umbrellas, back before hiking-specific models were even conceived. There are now many models to choose from with options for every use case, from long desert treks to rainy day hikes. These 7 hiking umbrellas are the best of them all.

If you love reading this review of the best hiking umbrellas, then you'll likely love reading some of our other hiking and backpacking content:

 

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

Curious about exactly what hiking umbrellas can offer and what features to look out for? Don’t miss our buying advice at the bottom of the article!

 

WEIGHT: 6.3 oz / 178 g

EXTENDED SIZE (L X W): 25 x 37.5 in / 63.5 x 95.3 cm

PACKED LENGTH: 25 in / 63.5 cm

PRICE: $

PROS: Affordable, lightweight, and excellent all-around performance

CONS: Fixed shaft design makes it less packable than some umbrellas

Gossamer Gear’s Lightrek Hiking Umbrella has been the go-to umbrella for thru-hikers taking on hot, dry, and exposed trails like the PCT or Arizona Trail. The Lightrek stands out for its superior sun protection, but its performance in rain, reasonable price tag, and lightweight but durable build all contribute to it taking the top spot as the best overall hiking umbrella.

The original Lightrek features a silver canopy with an aluminum frame and shaft. A newer gold variety features a lighter carbon fiber build and is only slightly more expensive. Both versions have a polyester canopy that boasts a UPF 50+ rating and a highly reflective exterior, offering an effective reprieve from UV rays and intense heat.

In the shade under the Lightrek, temperatures are about 10-15 degrees F lower than in direct sun. The domed design provides all-day shade coverage with minimal adjustments needed. The 6.3 ounce umbrella is easily held or secured to your pack with a GG Lightrek Bungee Attachment and Umbrella Clamp for hands-free protection from sun or rain.

The performance of the Lightrek suffers in heavy winds, but that is par for the course with almost all umbrellas. Really, the only feature we could pick a bone with is the non-collapsible shaft. This eliminates a failure point and adds to its durability, but it significantly limits the packability of the umbrella.

If you are good with securing a 2-foot-long umbrella to your pack’s exterior, then the Lightrek is the gold standard for hiking umbrellas. Its balance of protection, performance, and price outmatches any other model we have tried.

WEIGHT: 4.7 oz / 134 g

EXTENDED SIZE (L X W): 21 x 33 in / 53.3 x 83.8 cm

PACKED LENGTH: 10 in / 25.4 cm

PRICE: $$

PROS: Ultralight, super packable, great for backpacking and travel

CONS: Less durable and wind resistant than heavier umbrellas

Weighing a paltry 4.7 ounces, the Snowpeak Ultra-Light Umbrella is as light as it gets. With a collapsible design, it is also extremely packable, making it an excellent umbrella for both traveling and ultralight missions.

The 33-inch canopy is made from sturdy 30-denier polyester. It is seam sealed and coated with polyurethane for water resistance. The umbrella frame is quite minimal, it is extremely light but also less durable than most hiking umbrellas.

The frame is designed to collapse in winds to avoid damaging the ribs and canopy. Once the wind picks up at all, you are better off stuffing it back in your pack. Snowpeak does not make a pack attachment, but the umbrella is compatible with other attachment kits.

The Ultra-Light does best when used as sun protection on windless desert trails or in rainy conditions below the treeline. We wouldn’t advise packing it at the expense of all of your rain gear. But given its unmatched weight, the sacrifice in durability and versatility is often a worthy tradeoff.

Best for Rain Protection: MONTBELL LONG TAIL TREKKING UMBRELLA

WEIGHT: 5.1 oz / 145 g

EXTENDED SIZE (L X W): 20.9 x 36.2 in / 53 x 92 cm

PACKED LENGTH: 10.2 in / 26 cm

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Lightweight, asymmetrical design for optimal backpack coverage

CONS: Expensive, takes longer to deploy

Most backpackers turn to hiking umbrellas primarily for sun protection. But if you’re using an umbrella to pare down your rain gear then the Montbell Long Tail Trekking Umbrella is an excellent option.

The asymmetrical design adds an extra 3.1 inches of coverage over your backpack, allowing you to leave the rain cover at home. The canopy is durable and ultralight, made from 10-denier ballistic nylon with a water-repellent finish. It will keep you reliably dry in everything up to heavy rains and driving winds.

The umbrella’s eight ribs are hinged at the center. This allows the Long Tail to pack down extremely small, but all the ribs need to be manually snapped into place when deploying or packing up. This takes a few extra moments yet is still quicker than tossing on a pack rain cover and jacket during a rain shower.

The Long Tail is one of the pricier hiking umbrellas, but it is also one of the lightest, with a smart and durable design. The large canopy makes it perfect for staying dry on the trail and for added protection at camp.

Best for Sun Protection: MONTBELL SUNBLOCK UMBRELLA

WEIGHT: 7.1 oz / 200 g

EXTENDED SIZE (L X W): 20.9 x 38.6 in / 53 x 98 cm

PACKED LENGTH: 9.8 in / 25 cm

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Thick, wide canopy for maximum UV protection and durability

CONS: On the heavy and expensive side

The Montbell Sunblock Umbrella lives up to its name. Compared to most hiking umbrellas, the 75-denier polyester canopy feels overbuilt: this adds some weight, but results in the best umbrella for protection from UV rays and high temperatures.

The canopy has a 50+ rating. A reflective silver exterior and black interior thwarts thermal energy to keep you cool and protected all day while hiking under direct sun. The 38.6-inch diameter puts the Sunblock on the larger side. It is a game-changer for long treks in desert or equatorial regions, where risks of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and sunburn loom large.

Though designed primarily with sun protection in mind, the umbrella also holds its own under precipitation and is treated with a DWR coating. The thicker canopy works well for customizing ultralight shelters too: you can combine it with bug netting for head protection to complement a tarp setup or rig it to function as an ad-hoc tent vestibule.

Like all Montbell umbrellas, the ribs must be manually clipped into position. Montbell also does not sell pack attachment accessories, but clamps and straps from Gossamer Gear or Six Moon Designs can work with the Sunblock if you prefer the hands-free approach.

Best for Wind Protection: HYPERLITE MOUNTAIN GEAR ESSENTIAL UMBRELLA

WEIGHT: 6.8 oz / 193 g

EXTENDED SIZE (L X W): 24 x 38 in / 61 x 96.5 cm

PACKED LENGTH: 24 in / 61 cm

PRICE: $$

PROS: Easy to use, dual canopy to perform in windy conditions

CONS: Bulky, water may seep through wind vents

Perhaps the biggest downside to hiking umbrellas is how even moderately strong winds render them useless. Above the treeline, most umbrellas perform like a kite as much as anything, which is not exactly what we’re after.

One of the few hiking umbrellas that does hold its own in windy conditions is Hyperlite Mountain Gear’s Essential Umbrella. Its dual canopy design allows wind to vent through the umbrella, significantly reducing the likelihood of it collapsing or blowing away from you in high winds.

With a 38-inch reflective canopy, non-collapsible shaft, and UPF 50+ rating, the Essential closely resembles Gossamer Gear’s Lightrek Umbrella. It is about half an ounce heavier and a little more expensive than the Lightrek. Water may also seep through the dual canopy in fierce storms, but any umbrella will cease being useful at that point.

These small nitpicks aside, the easy deployment, well-rounded performance, and excellent design of HMG’s Essential make it a solid contender for the best overall umbrella, and certainly the best choice for windy, exposed terrain.

WEIGHT: 8.5 oz / 240 g

EXTENDED SIZE (L X W): 22 x 38 in / 55.9 x 96.5 cm

PACKED LENGTH: 9.5 in / 24.1 cm

PRICE: $$

PROS: Rugged, reinforced design, large canopy

CONS: Heavy, handle not very ergonomic

Sea to Summit is one of the few big-time hiking brands to dabble in the umbrella space, which remains dominated by niche ultralight manufacturers. The Ultra-Sil Trekking Umbrella is their hiking-specific offering.

We love this umbrella for its bombproof durability and the fact it is one of the few good hiking umbrellas you stand a chance of finding at your local outdoor store. The large canopy is made from tear-resistant CORDURA® nylon. It features a water-shedding DWR coating and UPF 50+ rating. An aircraft-grade aluminum shaft, brass rivets, and a sturdy (but knobby and awkward) nylon handle round out an umbrella built to take abuse.

 It is a great option for hikers who want to dabble with umbrellas on the trail but would like a durable, do-it-all umbrella that works just as well for travel and daily use.

The Ultra-Sil is the second heaviest umbrella on our list. But with a middling price tag and outstanding durability, it makes for a high-value and versatile foray into the world of hiking umbrellas.

WEIGHT: 8.9 oz / 252 g

EXTENDED SIZE (L X W): 25 x 37 in / 63.5 x 94 cm

PACKED LENGTH: 25 in / 63.5 cm

PRICE: $

PROS: Great value, easy to deploy, simple and durable design

CONS: Heavy and bulky for an ultralight umbrella

Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow line of hiking umbrellas are a perennial favorite among thru-hikers. Variations include the Silver Shadow Mini, the Silver Shadow Carbon, and the Silver Shadow Ultralight.

The Ultralight is the most affordable of the three, and the most affordable umbrella on our list. Curiously, despite its name, it is also the heaviest, clocking in at 8.9 ounces. But for many hikers, the extra ounce or two is an insignificant penalty given the budget-friendly price and durability of the SMD Ultralight.

In fact, the design of the Ultralight is nearly identical to that of our Best Overall pick, the Gossamer Gear Lightrek. It has the same non-collapsible design and a similarly sized canopy with a UPF 50+ rated reflective and waterproof exterior. There are some differences, but they are subtle: the Ultralight’s shaft and ribs are fiberglass, not aluminum, and it has a larger handle.

The resulting umbrella is a couple of ounces heavier but will save you a few bucks. SMD also sells a Hands Free Umbrella Kit. Add that in and you get a lightweight, time-tested umbrella setup at an unbeatable price.

BUYING ADVICE FOR HIKING UMBRELLAS

Compared to your everyday, non-technical umbrella, the factors to consider when deciding on a hiking-specific umbrella are a little different. Here are a few things to look out for.

WEIGHT: Hiking umbrellas need to be light. This makes them easier to carry or secure to your pack for all-day protection. Around 5 ounces is about as light as hiking umbrellas get. We found umbrellas between 6-8 ounces to hit the sweet spot, being light without unduly sacrificing durability or performance.

SHAFT DESIGN: Choosing between a collapsible or fixed shaft is perhaps the design feature to consider when finding the best hiking umbrella for you. Both have advantages and drawbacks. Collapsible shaft umbrellas are far more packable, but the addition of moving parts makes them prone to failure. They are better for travel and for “just in case” use.

Fixed shafts are far more durable, but not so packable. They are better for long thru-hikes or desert hikes in which your umbrella will more often be in use rather than packed away.

 

Collapsible shafts are more packable, but the addition of moving parts can make them less durable than fixed shafts.

 

UV PROTECTION: The main appeal of hiking umbrellas is the protection they offer from the sun. Look for an umbrella with a UPF rating of at least 40 for adequate UV protection. Canopies featuring reflective materials will also deflect thermal energy, lowering air temperatures and preventing heat exhaustion.

RAIN PROTECTION: Hiking umbrellas are usually made from polyester or nylon. Both fabrics are water-resistant, but not waterproof: as they get saturated, moisture will begin to seep through the canopy. Look for umbrellas with a DWR coating for optimal rain protection.

BACKPACK ATTACHMENTS: Carrying an umbrella in your hand becomes tedious rather quickly. The best hiking umbrellas are easy to secure to a backpack to enable hands-free use. Gossamer Gear and Six Moon Designs both sell attachment kits. These should work with any umbrella on our list, but their effectiveness may depend on your backpack. Packs with webbing or mesh pockets on the shoulder straps make it easier to rig up your umbrella to stay put.

 

Shoulder strap webbing or pockets make it easier to carry your umbrella hands-free, but Gossamer Gear and Six Moon Designs also sell dedicated attachment kits.

 

CANOPY SIZE: Larger canopies add more materials, thus more weight, but provide better protection. We prefer a canopy diameter of 35 inches or more. Some ultralight umbrellas are smaller, which saves weight but may leave you partially exposed to rain or sun.

HANDLE: Hiking umbrella handles can differ in shape and materials. The primary shapes are straight, like a trekking pole, or rounded, like a small door knob. The best option really comes down to your personal preferences. Handles made from EVA hard foam are ideal for hiking, as it is water impermeable, lightweight, and comfortable to hold.

 

EVA hard foam is ideal for handles as it is water impermeable, lightweight, and comfortable to hold.

 

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