All 15 umbrellas we scored fail our PFAS screen
We scored 15 umbrellas for PFAS forever chemicals and other hazards, then ranked them best-graded first. Every score below links to the full breakdown of what earned it.
100% of the 15 umbrellas we scored fail our PFAS and toxin screen.
The best-scoring umbrellas for PFAS risk
Nothing in this category clears our buy threshold yet. That is the finding, not a gap.
The umbrellas we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first.
Totes
Super Mini Manual ECO Compact Umbrella
polyester/nylon fabric with unspecified water-repellent coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
Skip unless brand confirms PFAS-free water-repellent coating treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Totes
Vented Auto Open Stormbeater Golf Stick Umbrella
Polyester or nylon fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
PFAS
Limited concern
Skip until brand discloses water-repellent coating chemistry, traditional umbrella coatings often contain PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Totes
Unisex Auto Open J-Handle Stick ECO Umbrella
Polyester canopy with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating, J-handle
PFAS
Limited concern
Degradation and leachables from aged coating
Limited concern
Skip until Totes discloses its umbrella waterproof treatment formulation.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
What we check on umbrellas
- Confirmed PFAS, PTFE or fluoropolymer content, which is the heaviest penalty we apply.
- Stain, water or grease resistant treatments, which usually mean fluorinated chemistry.
- Whether the brand discloses what is in the product, or stays silent behind a “clean” claim.
- Independent lab results and certifications where they exist.
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The umbrellas brands that will not say
6 of the brands here publish nothing about PFAS at all. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is why none of them score well on disclosure.
, AE Outdoor, Blunt, National Outdoor Living, ShedRain, Totes.
Common questions about PFAS in umbrellas
Is umbrellas PFAS free?
Mostly not. Of the 15 umbrellas we have scored, 100% fail our PFAS and toxin screen, which leaves 0 that pass. The lowest is Totes Super Mini Manual ECO Compact Umbrella at 20.
Which umbrellas should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Totes Super Mini Manual ECO Compact Umbrella at 20, Totes Vented Auto Open Stormbeater Golf Stick Umbrella at 20, Totes Unisex Auto Open J-Handle Stick ECO Umbrella at 20. The problem with the first is that skip unless brand confirms PFAS-free DWR treatment.
Which umbrellas brands will not say whether they use PFAS?
6 of the brands we scored in this category publish nothing about PFAS at all, including , AE Outdoor, Blunt, National Outdoor Living, ShedRain, Totes. Silence is not evidence of harm, but it is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test umbrellas?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
More clothing and outdoor categories we have graded
Same rubric, same scale. These are the categories closest to umbrellas.
- Best non-toxic outdoor furniture cushion protectants363 graded
- Best non-toxic tents316 graded
- Best non-toxic ski jackets209 graded
- Best non-toxic ski & sports wax203 graded
- Best non-toxic fishing line149 graded
- Best non-toxic yoga mats76 graded
- Best non-toxic rain jackets74 graded
- Best non-toxic cycling jackets72 graded
Get the graded list, free
The products we score each week, and the best-graded alternative in every category.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 15 umbrellas.