Big weather protection without the matching price tag
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TripSavvy / Joy Merrifield
Smooth, fast automatic open
Easy-to-grip, soft-touch handle
UPF 50+ protection
Too large for crowded city streets
Silver interior reflects light underneath
arrier handle broke quickly
The G4Free UV Golf Umbrella might be a bit big for daily use, but it’s affordable, durable, and provides great protection in sunshine or squalls.
We purchased the G4Free UV Golf Umbrella so our reviewer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.
If you live in a crowded city, carrying a massive UV umbrella can be a mixed bag. However, if you find yourself in less densely populated environments, a larger option like the G4Free UV Golf Umbrella might be perfect. To see if this umbrella was the real deal, we tested it in a variety of settings, from relaxing at the local beach to walking around our suburban neighborhood in blistering 100-degree heat. Read on for our review.
The G4Free’s design is straightforward but refined. The densely woven nylon canopy comes in an array of shimmery colors on the outside (we chose Sapphire, a rich royal blue), and a muted silver interior. The shaft of the umbrella is stainless steel coated in black resin, and the ribs and tips that support the canopy are made of black fiberglass.
The handle is constructed of ergonomically molded ABS plastic with a soft-touch finish, and it has a push-button for automatic deployment. Closing this umbrella isn’t automatic, but the manual close is smooth and easy, and the canopy folds down to a slender, well-contained silhouette.
We found that the 52-inch diameter was sufficient for two people to walk under comfortably without touching. The 40-inch shaft length meant it didn’t matter who carried the umbrella—the shortest of us could comfortably hold it over much taller heads.
As long as you’re in a less crowded environment, the size of this umbrella is great for full-coverage protection and sharing. It’s slim yet has plenty of space for two people. Also, its 1.6-pound weight doesn’t feel like a burden when held aloft. We wouldn’t necessarily want to carry it around all the time, but since it performed well in all weather, we think it would be ideal to keep in a car or at the office.
This umbrella is slim yet has plenty of space for two people.
The umbrella comes in a sleeve with an adjustable carrying handle that worked great slung over one shoulder, separated into two straps and carried like a backpack, or slung across the body. Unfortunately, however, the handle ripped out of the sleeve side seam after one afternoon of use.
UPF, or Ultraviolet Protection Factor, refers to the amount of ultraviolet light that clothing or fabric will allow to pass through. Due in part to this umbrella’s dense pongee micro-weave fabric, it has a rating of UPF 50+, meaning that it blocks a minimum of 98 percent of UV transmissions; G4Free says it blocks an impressive 99.95 percent. This, along with the huge 62-inch diameter canopy, left us feeling confidently covered and protected from the sun—particularly when we were walking around on the beach and needed the extra protection.
We felt confidently covered and protected from the sun—particularly when we were walking around on the beach and needed the extra protection.
According to the manufacturer, this umbrella is windproof—a quality we got to test firsthand when a thunderstorm blew in at the beach. A vented double canopy would’ve been nice to cut some of the wind resistance, but the fiberglass frame never inverted, even as it pulled us down the beach in a powerful lead wind.
A vented double canopy would’ve been nice to cut some of the wind resistance, but the fiberglass frame never inverted.
For $22, we’d say this is an excellent deal for a big, heavy-duty umbrella that works in both the blazing sun and dumping rain. Plus, considering that G4Free extends a money-back guarantee for workmanship, there’s very little risk to your purchase.
G4Free Extra-Large Golf Umbrella: If you’re not keen on a silver underside, G4Free makes another UV-blocking golf umbrella in a variety of solid colorways where the underside matches the outer side. These umbrellas come in a wider variety of sizes—with canopies of 54, 62, and 68 inches—and cost almost the same price as the one we tested. They also have the same protection rating of UPF 50+.
totes Auto Open Golf Neverwet Sunguard Umbrella: If you’re looking for a more festive UV umbrella, check out this option from the long-respected brand totes. Their equivalent solar protection golf umbrella is similarly priced and comes in a very charming rainbow colorway.
Need some help finding what you’re looking for? Check out our list of the best UV umbrellas.
Yes, buy it.
We absolutely recommend the G4Free UV Golf Umbrella, especially if you plan to use it in less densely populated areas (because of its large size). It’s well-made, handsome, functional, and affordable. What more do you need?