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Reviews > Rain Gear > Umbrellas > Montbell Sun Block Umbrella > Test Report by Jamie DeBenedetto
Product Information Back to contents
Field Tests August thru October Back to contents Since receiving the MontBell Sun Block Umbrella a few months ago I've used it on and off during ten different hikes. Four of those outings involved rain in some capacity. All hikes took place in the desert mountain preserves of Phoenix, Peoria or Cave Creek, Arizona. The highest temperature experienced was about 95 F / 35 C back in Sept. Pros and Cons Thus Far Back to contents Given the compact nature of the MontBell Sun Block Umbrella I had no reservations about carrying it with me on most of my outings. In a place like the Sonoran Desert, where sunshine is never in short supply, I found if very appealing to have portable shade with me at all times. On the occasions where my hands were free enough to use the parasol I tried to bring it out for short breaks from our seemingly never ending summer heat. I felt like the shade it provided helped, at least a little. Using the Sun Block is not difficult but it is a little tedious to deploy. It's certainly not a one-handed job! Normally, I would take it out of its stuff sack at the trailhead, carefully unfold the rib joints then draw in the handle and secure the umbrella in more of a semi-compacted state in one of the outside side pockets of my pack. That way, when I needed it, it would be 90% ready to open. My approach, while helpful to me, does highlight what I consider to be two issues with the umbrella. First, my preemptive method completely negates the compactness of the umbrella. Ideally it should be able to be carried in its smallest state, not in some subpar configuration. Second, the little strap that wraps around and holds the folded parasol together when the canopy is drawn in isn't designed to attach to itself securely when the rib joints are extended. This means the canopy is not as safely stowed when I'm walking as it would be had I left it in its folded and compacted state. It's a risk I take for convenience but I'd love to see a solution. Although the Sun Block is primarily intended as a parasol it is made out of material that also sheds water so I wanted to make sure I tested its ability to handle rain when those opportunities presented themselves. As I wrote above I had four chances to do just that. Two were rather mild rain storms consisting of light to steady sprinkles for around ten to fifteen minutes at a time. The Sun Block dealt with those conditions perfectly. The other two outings offered much harder and much more sustained precipitation, even small hail briefly. The canopy material held up fine to all the moisture. It was the wind that really challenged the support structure of the umbrella. I don't know how high the gusts were, I only know I feared the stress on the stretchers and ribs would be too much and something would eventually give. After twenty minutes of fighting to hold the umbrella low to my body and angled into the wind I chose to close it down and get wet rather than see it break. To be fair, I think most umbrellas have a hard time with strong winds. Unfortunately, most of our storms, at least summer ones, are part of the monsoon season, meaning they are accompanied by dust storms or at the very least gusty conditions. Lastly, I found
the hang loop helpful. I have a strap on my pack that clips the
Sun Block in place but I was worried it might slide down and out
of the strap while I was walking and I'd never notice it falling
to the ground. The umbrella's little hang loop afforded me the option
of running a second strap through the hang loop, taking away or
at least minimizing, the chances of it falling off my pack. The
hang loop is also helpful when trying to put the compacted umbrella
back into its stuff sack. It's a snug fit but it does go back in
with a little effort and patience. Pleasing Aspects…
Underwhelming Aspects…
Collective Use and Field Conditions Back to contents Around here, autumn's arrival means more hiking but less concern for sun protection so I've only used the Sun Block twice more in the final stage of this test series. This gives me around twelve total use days. Both
of these last two outings were in the Phoenix
Mtns Preserve in Phoenix, AZ. Elevation
in this area averages about 1,800 ft (550
m). Weather conditions were clear, warm
and sunny with temperatures in the mid 70's
F (24 C). Final Thoughts Back to contents To put it simply, the MontBell Sun Block Umbrella is the neatest product I'll probably never use again. If that sounds a bit harsh, let me explain. I really like the Sun Block. MontBell has taken the tried and true idea of the parasol, modernized it, lightened it, compacted it and made it shiny (whoo!!). For its primary purpose of blocking the sun, I have nothing but good things to say. It performs that job beautifully. For its secondary purpose of repelling rain, it does well with that too. I've used it in both light and heavy downpours for short periods (less than half an hour) with excellent results. No wetting out of the material. Even its durability outperformed my expectations, which in fairness were a little low because of what appeared to be the delicate construction of the umbrella. I think it's important to note I was very careful with it on each use. I always followed the directions for opening and closing. When not in use, it was either totally compacted in the protective sleeve or semi-compacted and hung on the outside of my pack. When I felt the winds were too high to safely use it, I wouldn't, preferring instead to keep it packed away rather than broken. Now obviously those are all really good qualities so why do I think I will never use it again? Two reasons: First, I'm a ridiculously practical person, it makes my husband crazy sometimes, and I just don't carry things on my back day after day for hours at a time that I don't think make good sense, even if they are shiny! In the case of the Sun Block, I can get the same sun protection from a long-sleeve shirt and a large brim hat without having to tie up one of my hands. Obviously this isn't really a dig on the umbrella itself, it's more the concept that's a problem for me. Second, due to the delicate nature of the ribs, I felt it was unrealistic to consider using the Sun Block in the type of stormy conditions typical to my area in summer. Having said all that, I don't see why this type of product couldn't suit the sun/rain protection needs of someone else, it just doesn't fit the bill for me. I
do very much appreciate the opportunity
to experiment with a unique and interesting
piece of gear like the Sun Block Umbrella
and I hope anyone reading this report series
found it helpful. My thanks to BackpackGearTest.org
and MontBell for making this test a reality.
JJD-2015
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