ShedRain Auto Open Bubble Stick Umbrella
Skip unless ShedRain discloses waterproof coating chemistry, traditional water-repellent coating finishes often contain PFAS.
ShedRain makes no public statement about PFAS in this umbrella's water-repellent coating. Bubble umbrellas typically use water-repellent coating treatments, historically a common PFAS application.
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Material
Polyester/nylon canopy with proprietary water-repellent coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Water-repellent (water-repellent coating) coating chemistry undisclosed
ShedRain has not published the chemical composition of its proprietary water-repellent coating finish. Industry standard practice often involves PFAS, but non-fluorinated alternatives are increasingly available. Without disclosure, the presence of PFAS or other fluorinated compounds cannot be ruled out.
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
As the water-repellent coating wears, microscopic particles of the coating may shed into air or water. The long-term safety of inhaling or ingesting these particles is not established for this specific product, though degraded polyester coatings are generally considered low-risk.
What’s reassuring
Polyester fabric off-gassing
Untreated polyester canopies do not typically off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or formaldehyde under normal storage or use. Risk is negligible unless the umbrella is stored in extreme heat for extended periods.
Metal frame (steel or aluminum) corrosion or leaching
The Auto Open Bubble Stick frame material is not publicly specified. Standard umbrella frames (steel or aluminum alloy) do not leach detectable amounts of metals during use under dry or wet conditions.
Mechanical failure or pinch hazard
Auto-open umbrellas carry a standard mechanical failure risk (spring breakage, canopy tears). No safety recalls specific to this model are on record. This is a use-safety rather than chemical hazard.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
ShedRain's Auto Open Bubble Stick uses a polyester/nylon canopy treated with a proprietary water-repellent (water-repellent coating) finish. The canopy itself is chemically inert under normal use; the risk lies entirely in the coating chemistry, which ShedRain has not publicly disclosed. Traditional water-repellent coating finishes on budget umbrellas rely on fluorinated compounds (PFAS-based), though some manufacturers have switched to non-fluorinated alternatives. Without transparency, the coating's composition cannot be verified.
The brand's record and disclosure
ShedRain is a mid-market umbrella brand with no public PFAS disclosure statement or sustainability commitments on record. No major recalls or chemical safety controversies are documented for this specific model. The brand does not appear to have pursued PFAS-free certifications or published testing data for water-repellent coatings. Their silence on water-repellent coating chemistry is typical of many umbrella manufacturers but leaves users without assurance.
How it compares in its category
Most auto-open umbrellas in this price range use identical polyester canopies with undisclosed water-repellent coatings. Premium brands (Totes, GustBuster) rarely disclose water-repellent coating chemistry either. PFAS-conscious alternatives exist but are rare in the auto-open segment; some outdoor retailers now stock fluorine-free umbrellas, though at higher prices. The Auto Open Bubble Stick is unremarkable for disclosure relative to competitors.
If you buy it
Store the umbrella dry and avoid prolonged sun exposure, which can degrade the coating over years. Do not wash the canopy in hot water or use harsh detergents, as this may break down the water-repellent layer prematurely. If water begins beading unevenly, the coating has degraded and the umbrella's water resistance will decline but poses no chemical hazard. Replace the umbrella every 3-5 years depending on use frequency; the canopy itself does not off-gas or leach under normal conditions.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- ShedRain has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More umbrellas grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.