Sun Parasols and Umbrellas With UPF 50+ UV Protection

Blocks 99% of UV rays. Up to 8°C cooler. Approved by the Melanoma International Foundation. Each UV-Blocker umbrella starts with our patented Solarteck® silver reflective coating. Lab tests to the AATCC TM183-2020 standard show a 100% UV-B block and a 99.97% UV-A block, and the fabric was tested by SGS to AS/NZS 4399 and rated UPF 50+. Dermatologists recommend it. Pick a compact model for the daily commute, a stick umbrella for maximum coverage or a personal beach umbrella: we have a sun parasol for every need.

Our protection comes from the Solarteck® fabric system. Its silver exterior reflects UV and infrared heat away before either reaches the canopy, so the shade underneath is genuinely cooler as well as darker. The same UV umbrella technology made us the only golf umbrella approved by the Melanoma International Foundation.

Made from eco-friendly RPET fabric recycled from post-consumer plastic. Our sun parasol collection has an option for every outdoor need (travel, beach, golf and fashion), each with UPF 50+ protection built in. Orders ship from Pennsylvania, USA, and freight to Australia is calculated at checkout. Browse your UV sun protection umbrella options below.

Sun Safety at Home in Australia

Australia has some of the highest UV levels in the world, and UV is present even on cool or overcast days. In northern Australia the UV Index reaches 3 or above all year; in Victoria it does so from roughly mid-August to the end of April. 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, making sun protection a national health priority.

Where to find sun safety guidance in Australia:

SunSmart (Cancer Council): Cancer Council advises sun protection whenever the UV Index is 3 (Moderate) or higher. The Bureau of Meteorology publishes a daily forecast of when UV reaches 3, and the free SunSmart app shows it. In northern Australia that level is reached all year round, winter included.
ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency): Measures UV levels in real time at monitoring stations in every state and territory, and anyone can check current readings at arpansa.gov.au.
Safe Work Australia (UV radiation as a workplace hazard): Under Australian work health and safety laws, employers must assess and manage UV exposure for outdoor workers. Shade is recognised as a primary engineering control under these rules, and a UPF 50+ umbrella is one way to provide it.

Under Australia's intense sun, a UPF 50+ UV-blocking parasol gives the steady, continuous shade that good sun protection depends on. With its patented Solarteck® reflective coating, the UV-Blocker umbrella blocks 99% of UV rays and keeps you up to 8°C cooler, a real advantage for outdoor activities in the Australian climate. It is the only umbrella of its kind approved by the Melanoma International Foundation.

Sun Protection FAQs

UVA vs UVB: how do they differ, and why does it matter?

UVA rays (320–400 nm) have longer wavelengths and reach deep into the skin, where they cause photoageing and wrinkles and contribute to melanoma. They pass through glass and cloud and stay fairly constant all year. UVB rays (290–320 nm) are shorter, cause sunburn and are the main driver of skin cancer; they peak in the middle of the day (10 am–4 pm) and in summer. Good sun protection has to block both.

Does a UPF 50+ parasol protect better than sunscreen alone?

A UPF 50+ umbrella blocks 99%+ of direct overhead UV, and it's more dependable than sunscreen because it never needs reapplying, can't sweat off and protects consistently. Reflected UV from surrounding surfaces can still reach your skin in the shade, though. Cancer Council's five steps pair sunscreen with shade, and SPF50+ sunscreen plus a UPF 50+ parasol gives 95–99% total UV reduction. UV-Blocker's umbrellas are dermatologist recommended for exactly this.

When is UV at its most dangerous during the day?

UV is strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, peaking around noon in most places. The UV Index is the most accurate guide: at 6 or above, unprotected skin can start to burn in as little as 15 minutes, and Cancer Council advises sun protection from 3 upwards. The free SunSmart app shows when UV reaches 3 each day. Cloud lowers UV intensity without removing it, and 80% of UV gets through light cloud.

Does your skin tone change your risk of UV damage?

UV affects every skin tone, though the risks and how damage shows up vary. Lighter skin (Fitzpatrick types I–III) burns faster and has higher rates of non-melanoma skin cancer. Darker skin (types IV–VI) is more prone to hyperpigmentation, and melanoma is more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage. Whatever your skin tone, sun protection is essential.

Which early signs of skin cancer should I look out for?

Check moles using the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter over 6 mm, and Evolving (any change over time). Look out too for sores that won't heal, new pink or pearly lumps, and flat red or pink patches. Anyone with a history of significant sun exposure or a family history of skin cancer is advised to have a dermatologist check their skin every year.

Expert Sun Protection Tips for Australia

Before spending long periods outdoors, check the daily sun protection times from the Bureau of Meteorology or the free SunSmart app
Slop on SPF50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 minutes before you head outside, rather than just as you step into the sun
Put more sunscreen on every 2 hours, and each time you swim or sweat heavily
Seek shade with a UPF 50+ parasol for hands-free cover while dining outdoors, playing sport or working
Slide on sunglasses that block 99–100% of UVA and UVB, because eyes can be damaged by UV too
A yearly skin check with a dermatologist can catch skin cancers early, when they're highly treatable