Rio offers an alternative to traditional beach umbrellas with this smart sun shade. Unlike many umbrellas and similar sun shelters, this tent doesn’t just provide shade. Its 75-denier polyester fabric offers SPF 50 sun protection, the equivalent of most sunscreens on the market. This tent isn't just about providing shelter from the sun and its harmful UV rays. It also has inte…

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Scientists at India's Central Coir Research Institute have created an umbrella from the natural fiber which can protect against harmful UV rays. US Sharma, the director of the Central Coir Research Institute, said his research team found that coir can block ultraviolet rays. He explained that traditional umbrellas, which are typically made from cotton or polyester, keep t…

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Are you sick of getting sand through your beach essentials, or leaving the beach with soggy items? Sand Anchor has come up with a solution with this handy umbrella hook. This clever adjustable hook attaches to the pole of any standard beach umbrella. Once the hook is affixed you can simply hang your beach bag, tote, camera, and other items over its stainless steel claws. I'm always sk…

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Show your team colors on the beach with this fun New England Patriots beach umbrella. This is just one of a series of NFL licensed beach umbrellas. Each one has bold team logos and colors on its panels. I'm not sure these colors will stay as true after a few summers, but while brand new football fanatics will love the look. Happily though, this beach umbrella has more than team pride on it…

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Joe Shade has created a beach umbrella which ticks all the important boxes. But sadly it doesn't do it with a lot of flair. If you put practicality first you really couldn't ask for more. Joe Shade have been working on this umbrella for years and tweaking each new model to fix the problems of the past. It's lightweight and its matching carry bag makes it even easier to take to the sand, and…

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Rio cuts down on your beach essentials with this combined outdoor chair and umbrella. Rather than wrestling with a large umbrella, you can just clamp this smaller version onto the chair for just the right amount of shade. It won't suit families who require a large area of shade, but it''s ideal for single women who are conscious of the sun's aging effects. Those women are sure to love t…

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There are few things more frustrating on the beach than a flying umbrella. It startles you from your sunbathing, forcing you to run down the sand in hot pursuit. But summer breezes need not disturb your sun shade with the Coolibar beach umbrella sand anchor. This nifty gadget holds your umbrella in place from any angle. You don't need a degree in engineering to set it up either. It simp…

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Tommy Bahama gives us a cheap and cheerful umbrella with a few more features than the average with this Groundbreaker sun shade. It gets its name from the patented hammer action, which allows you to drive the pole deep into the sand without needing to dig a hole or use sand screws. If there's a bit of wind in the air I'd suggest using the screws anyway for added security, but if you're hitt…

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Coolibar says it's provided "everything you need to spend a day at the shore" with its Ultimate Beach Umbrella Ensemble. Some may argue that swimsuits, towels, and sunglasses are just as important as the items included in this set, but it still covers some major bases. The centerpiece is the generous beach umbrella, which has a sturdy aluminum pole and a large canopy with a 64-inch d…

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Large beach umbrellas are a great way to be sun smart on the beach, but they're also cumbersome and awkward to carry. For a more compact alternative, look to this travel-size sun umbrella from Coolibar. I must stress that this is strictly a sun umbrella. A few customers have complained that the flimsy fiberglass spokes cave in at the slightest wind, so it's never going to help you in a s…

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Being sun safe needn't be boring with this cute striped beach umbrella from Rio. I love the look of the rainbow stripes covering this sun shade, but beyond the playful pattern this umbrella is serious business. It's made from tough polyester which has been awarded a SPF 100+ rating. The Skin Cancer Foundation's stamp of approval should make us all feel a little safer while we're rela…

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Part beach umbrella, part tent, the SKLZ Sport-Brella Umbrella gives you shade on the beach without the stress. While many umbrellas fall over or blow away while you're enjoying yourself in the surf, the Sport-Brella will stay just where you left it. Just pop it open and you're ready to get on to more important things. On the windiest of days you can add the included tethers and ground…

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