Outdoor Accessories

Umbrellas at Metromart

An umbrella is one of those purchases nobody makes until the rain has already started, and then it's the only thing that matters. Metromart stocks straight and folding umbrellas across price points, from everyday models to heavier builds meant to survive a monsoon wind.

How to utilize accessories: 

Auto open releases the canopy at the press of a button. The most useful feature on any umbrella, because it works one-handed — which matters when the other hand is holding a bag, a phone, or a child.

Auto open and close does both at the press of the button. Convenient getting into a car or a rickshaw, and the reason these models cost more.

Manual is cheaper and has fewer parts to fail. A perfectly reasonable choice if you don't mind the extra second.

Rib count — the spec that actually matters

Umbrellas are described by their number of ribs, often written as shik. It's the single best indicator of how an umbrella will hold up.

• 8 ribs is the basic build. Fine for light rain and short walks, but it inverts readily in wind.

• 10 to 12 ribs is the everyday standard. The canopy holds a rounder shape and resists wind considerably better.

• 16 ribs is the strong build. More ribs spread the load, so the canopy flexes rather than folding inside out, and the shape stays taut. Worth the difference if you walk any distance in a monsoon downpour.

If you've had umbrellas invert on you, rib count is the thing to change rather than the price.

Straight or folding:

Straight umbrellas are stronger and open larger. Better coverage, better in wind, but they don't fit in a bag.

Folding and box umbrellas collapse down to something that lives in a handbag or a backpack — which means you actually have it with you when it starts raining. A little less sturdy, considerably more likely to be there when needed.

Ladies umbrellas are generally lighter with a smaller canopy and a slimmer handle, designed for carrying rather than for maximum coverage.

How to look after it: 

This is where most umbrellas die, and it's entirely avoidable.

Never fold a wet umbrella away. Open it and let it dry properly first. Folded wet, the fabric mildews and the metal ribs and frame begin to rust — which is why an umbrella that worked perfectly in June jams in September.

Dry it open, not closed, and indoors rather than in direct sun, which degrades the fabric coating over time. Don't force a jammed mechanism. Auto-open springs are the usual failure point, and forcing one bends the runner. If it's sticking, dry it fully and check for grit around the shaft.

Check the ribs after wind. A single bent rib pulls the canopy out of shape and puts strain on the rest. Straightening one early prevents the cascade.

Buying for monsoon:

If you're buying ahead of the rains, buy the stronger build. The temptation is to buy cheap and replace it, but a 16-rib umbrella that lasts three seasons costs less than three cheap ones — and it's the one you'll still have during the worst of it.

Physical outlets:

Metromart operates physical stores alongside the online shop. If you'd rather see something before buying, or need it the same hour, the outlets page lists locations. Browse our outlets here.