How naive I was, during the car journey to Mam Tor, to wonder whether it would be windy enough for testing umbrellas on this Peak District hill’s 517-metre summit.
It was blowing a gale – or more accurately, a “near gale”, if weather apps are to be believed – and the three of us who rendezvoused at the triangulation point could barely stand in one place.
Moving ever so slightly downhill, we found a sweet spot where the wind was strong, but didn’t seem ready to spirit me away into the Derbyshire countryside like a gorpcore Mary Poppins.
Before testing, we wrestled the brollies out of my backpack to take their portraits, as we were unsure whether they’d all survive the wind. Photographer Christian Hopewell captured each one against a backdrop of Peak District landmarks, including Winnats Pass and the Hope Cement Works. His photos are beautiful, painterly; the best product photography with which I’ve ever shared a webpage.
Brolly good
Reverie gave way to giddy fun as I opened the umbrellas into the wind, then turned them against it. They had all performed well in normal, rainy conditions, but up here in high winds, many turned inside out in a flash. All of the lightweight, folding models inverted quickly, although some of the larger city and golf brollies resisted impressively, sending me stumbling while their frames and canopies held fast against the gusts.
It was such good fun – and provided such good intel on these umbrellas. The testing convinced me that my highest-rated brolly, the London Undercover Classic, was a worthy winner, as its dual-layered canopy resisted the wind superbly. And it was reassuring to find that none of the brollies broke in high winds, though some of them clearly weren’t suitable for really bad weather.
Another thing I learned is that a good umbrella is an investment. The models I rated most highly ranged from about £30 to well over £100, so I’d always advise checking for repairability and a decent guarantee before making the purchase.
Of course, the personal value of a brolly multiplies through the years in hand and overhead. My most cherished umbrella will always be the Betty’s Tearooms-branded one that I inherited from my mum. It’s a lot like her: cosy, protective, and evangelical about coffee and cake. As with all of the best umbrellas, there’s lightness under the shade.
***
This week’s picks
Jess Cartner-Morley’s January style essentials: from posh slippers to French-Girl hairpins
‘Will save on money and arguments’: 21 home organisation hacks for shared households
The best concealers: eight favourites for camouflaging blemishes and dark circles – tested
‘Extraordinary – a great alcohol alternative’: the best supermarket kombuchas, tasted and rated
***
Editor’s pick
Despite the cold, dark weather, many of us take up running in January. Whether you’re hitting the pavements for the first time or hoping to hit PBs in 2026, our consumer technology editor, Samuel Gibbs, has been testing the best running watches to advise on the best one for you – or whether you can get by just fine with your smartphone.
Monica Horridge
Deputy editor, the Filter
***
In case you missed it …
If you’re more interested in hibernating than getting fit, you are not alone. Our guide to getting cosy has 42 cold-weather pick-me-ups, from bath oils to dark chocolate chilli chai and hooded blankets.
***
Get involved
January doesn’t exactly have a reputation for cheerfulness. Do you have something that never fails to brighten your mood? Perhaps it’s a brightly coloured umbrella, a sentimental gift from a friend or something so beautiful that it always brings a smile to your face. Let us know by replying to this newsletter or emailing us at thefilter@theguardian.com.
