Totes Vented Auto Open Stormbeater Golf Stick Umbrella
Skip until brand discloses water-repellent coating chemistry, traditional umbrella coatings often contain PFAS.
Totes does not publicly disclose what water-repellent treatment is applied to this umbrella. Most mainstream umbrellas use water-repellent coating finishes historically based on PFAS to achieve stain and water resistance.
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Material
Polyester or nylon fabric with water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) 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.
PFAS
Totes has not disclosed whether this umbrella uses legacy PFOA/PFOS-based, long-chain PFAS, or newer alternatives. Environmental and bioaccumulation risk depends on the specific fluorinated chemistry; no test data is publicly available for this model.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Coating durability and reapplication exposure
Water-repellent coating coatings degrade over time and may be re-applied by consumers; repeated exposure to water-repellent coating spray products carries inhalation and dermal contact risk if products contain PFAS or volatile solvents. Totes does not supply guidance on recoating.
Microplastics
Polyester and nylon shed microfibers under mechanical wear and washing; umbrella use involves minimal washing, so fiber release during normal outdoor use is negligible and poses no documented health concern.
Source, EPA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No established recall or complaint data links Totes umbrellas to formaldehyde or azo dye toxicity. Colored polyester canopies may contain low residual formaldehyde or synthetic dyes, but direct skin contact is limited and off-gassing risk is minimal for outdoor products.
Source, ATSDR ↗Plastic handle and metal frame safety
No hazardous heavy metals (lead, cadmium) or phthalates are documented in Totes umbrella handles or frames. Handles are low-skin-contact; metal ferrules and tips pose no leaching risk during normal use.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Totes Stormbeater umbrellas use polyester or nylon canopy fabric treated with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating to shed water and resist wear. water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFAS "forever chemicals" (PFAS), which persist in the environment and bioaccumulate; modern formulations vary widely by manufacturer. The plastic handle and frame components introduce minimal direct-contact hazard for typical use (outdoor shielding). No lead, cadmium, or heavy metals are typical concerns in umbrella construction; formaldehyde resins are not standard in this product category.
The brand's record and disclosure
Totes (owned by Tandy Leather and formerly Sara Lee) has not publicly disclosed the specific chemistry of its water-repellent coating or committed to PFAS-free alternatives on this model. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this umbrella line. The brand does not list third-party certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, Bluesign) that would indicate restricted-substance testing. Transparency around fluorinated chemistry remains a gap for most traditional umbrella manufacturers, including Totes.
How it compares in its category
Umbrellas as a category carry minimal acute hazard because they are external-use garments with infrequent skin contact. Totes is a mainstream, widely available brand with no higher safety profile than peers like Shedrain or generic alternatives; all rely on similar water-repellent coating chemistry unless explicitly marketed as PFAS-free. Premium or eco-focused brands (e.g.Fulton and some indie makers are beginning to offer coatings not linked to PFAS or silicone-based alternatives, but availability is limited. Standard umbrellas occupy a lower-risk niche than food contact or personal care products, but water-repellent coating chemistry uncertainty persists industry-wide.
If you buy it
Store the umbrella dry in a well-ventilated space to minimize any off-gassing from the coating. Do not cut, sand, or burn the fabric, which could theoretically release coating constituents in concentrated form. Wash with mild soap and water if visibly soiled; avoid harsh solvents that may degrade the water-repellent coating finish prematurely. If the water-shedding performance declines significantly after a few years, replacement is appropriate and will renew the protective layer without degradation buildup.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Totes 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.