Shop UV-Blocker Parasols
For Serious Sun Protection

Blocking 99% of UV, UV-Blocker parasols give you dependable protection outdoors. There is a model for every setting: shade at the beach, a sturdy umbrella for your round of golf, or a compact parasol for everyday use.

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Sun Safety Across Australia

UV levels in Australia are among the highest in the world, and in summer the UV Index can reach extreme levels (11 or above). UV is still present on cool or overcast days. Cancer Council notes that Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and Victoria's Better Health Channel says more than two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime, which is why sun protection is a national health priority.

Where to check UV levels and sun safety advice in Australia:

• Cancer Council SunSmart: Cancer Council advises sun protection whenever the UV Index is 3 (Moderate) or higher. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts the times UV will reach 3 each day, and the free SunSmart app shows them. In northern Australia UV sits at 3 or above all year; in Victoria, roughly from mid-August to the end of April.
• ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency): Measures UV levels at monitoring stations in every state and territory, with current readings published at arpansa.gov.au.
• Safe Work Australia, UV radiation at work: Under Australian work health and safety laws, employers must assess and manage the UV exposure of people who work outdoors. Shade is treated as an engineering control, and a UPF 50+ parasol is one portable way to provide it.

Under Australia's strong sun, a UPF 50+ UV parasol gives steady, continuous shade. With its patented Solarteck® reflective coating, the UV-Blocker umbrella blocks 99% of UV rays and can keep you up to 8°C cooler, a real advantage in the Australian climate. Its fabric was tested by SGS to AS/NZS 4399, and it is the only umbrella of its kind approved by the Melanoma International Foundation.

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Where a UV Parasol Fits in the Five SunSmart Steps

Cancer Council recommends combining five steps whenever the UV Index is 3 or higher: slip on clothing, slop on SPF50+ sunscreen, slap on a hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses. Natural shade can be hard to find on an open beach, a golf course or a worksite, and that is where a portable UV parasol helps. UV can't be seen or felt, and it is still there on cool or overcast days.

How a UV parasol works alongside the other steps:

• Seek: A UPF 50+ parasol creates shade wherever you stand or sit, and on a chair, pram or golf cart holder it stays in place without you having to hold it.
• Slop: Sunscreen still matters under a parasol, because UV reflects off sand, water and paving onto exposed skin. Cancer Council recommends SPF50+.
• Slip, slap and slide: Clothing, a hat and sunglasses protect the skin and eyes that shade alone can miss.

UV-Blocker parasols are approved by the Melanoma International Foundation and recommended by dermatologists. The Solarteck® fabric was tested by SGS to AS/NZS 4399 and rated UPF 50+, Excellent protection, blocking 99% of UV rays, and the silver coating keeps the shade up to 8°C cooler than direct sun. Each umbrella works in the rain too, so it earns its place in the car all year.

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Your Questions About UV Parasols

What does UPF 50+ mean when it's on a parasol?

A UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating of 50+ means the fabric blocks at least 98% of UV radiation, letting through only 1/50th of the UV you would get with no protection at all. Independent testing shows UV-Blocker umbrellas block 99% of UVA and 100% of UVB, and they have earned the approval of the Melanoma International Foundation, one of the highest recognitions in the industry.

How does a UV-blocking parasol differ from an ordinary rain umbrella?

Ordinary umbrellas are polyester or nylon with no UV-blocking treatment, and they give only 40–60% UV protection. UV-Blocker parasols use a specialised fabric with a Solarteck® silver reflective coating, which sends UV rays away instead of absorbing them. The same coating keeps you up to 8°C cooler than standing in direct sun, a big difference on a hot Australian day. They still work in the rain, too.

Does a UV-blocking parasol work for every skin type?

Yes. A UV-blocking parasol is a physical barrier, so it works the same way whatever your skin type, medication or skin condition. It is especially recommended for people taking photosensitising medicines, cancer patients having radiation therapy, people with conditions such as lupus or vitiligo, and anyone who wants dependable sun protection that doesn't rely on creams or lotions.

Can a UV parasol take the place of sunscreen?

Not entirely. A parasol blocks direct UV from overhead very well, but UV also reflects off the surfaces around you, such as water, sand, paving and snow, so sunscreen is still needed. For the most protection, combine the two: SPF 30+ sunscreen on all exposed skin (Cancer Council recommends SPF50+) and a UPF 50+ parasol for shade overhead. Together they cut total UV exposure by 95–99%.

How should I care for and store a UV-blocking parasol so it keeps protecting me?

After a day at the beach or in salty air, rinse it in fresh water. Let it dry open before you close it, because packing it away wet encourages mildew. Don't leave it somewhere very hot, such as a car boot in summer, as extreme heat can break down fabric coatings. With normal use, UV-Blocker umbrellas keep their UPF 50+ rating for years, since the silver reflective coating is built into the fabric rather than applied as a surface treatment that washes off.

Expert Tips for Choosing and Using a UV Parasol

• Choose a parasol with independent, third-party UPF testing rather than relying on the maker's own claims
• Size counts: 102 cm of canopy shades one person and 152 cm or more covers two adults, so choose for your usual use
• For sport and the beach, wind resistance is important: look for an umbrella rated for winds of 48 km/h or more
• With a magnetic or clamp base, you can use a UV parasol hands-free at a fixed workstation, on the patio or beside the sports field
• Keep the silver side of your UV-Blocker parasol facing up, as this reflects the most UV away from you
• When UV levels are high, add UPF 50+ clothing and SPF50+ sunscreen (the factor Cancer Council recommends) for all-round protection