Customer Reviews

Sport-Brella Umbrella

5 star:		(70)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

We go to a beach where it can become quite windy, and this umbrella is perfect. Once the sides are staked down, it's a great wind block as well as sun shade. The only thing I would correct is that the pointed part of the pole (the pole is in two pieces) is stored inside the shaft and it's hard to see since it's all black. We were convinced that it was missing until we saw the small sticker on the shaft saying that the bottom part of the pole was tucked up inside. The same thing happened to friends of ours that bought the same umbrella. They might want to make a bigger sticker! Other than that, we love it!

I have had the Sport-Brella for almost a year now. I purchased it for taking to the beach and highly recommend it as a very effective shade and wind break within limitations. It is a fairly well thought out product. However, the photographs are little misleading when they show a soccer team under it. That is either for a larger size (it can be found in a 9 foot diameter but costs almost twice as much as the 8 footer) or a lot of small people squeezed together. My experience is that this is just about ideal for two adults. Can you cram more...well yes, but don't think you would enjoy the experience. Think about a half dozen or more perspiring people packed closely together and I think you get the idea. I don't know how effective it would be for rain cover since never used it for that purpose but suppose it would be better than nothing.

Pros:
- Highly portable. Comes with a nylon carry bag with shoulder strap.
- Quick to set up and break down. The pole is two piece (self contained) with the lower section reinforced at the top for hammering. Set the lower pole, attach the umbrella. Voila, instant cover. Take down is just as simple. Release/lower the umbrella, secure with velcro strap, slide the lower pole section into the upper pole, insert into the carry case and you are ready to go. If you do not need to stake the umbrella, two minutes or less. It's that simple.
- If you want to extend the cover, there are two side panels / wings (normally attached via a clip to the umbrella) which can be extended outward from umbrella.
- There are multiple straps with grommets that can be used to secure the Sport Brella if it is windy. Metal stakes are included in a small nylon bag.
- There two panels built into the umbrella that can be lowered (double zippered) to help control airflow. There are ties stiched into umbrella to secure the panels to minimize flapping if the panels are lowered.
- There is a velcro strap that secures the umbrella to ease stowing in the carrying bag.

Cons:
- When not using the two panels that function as extended cover, the only way to secure is via the clip on the top of the umbrella that hooks into a grommet on the end of each panel. This creates a problem if you are using it strictly as an upright umbrella for shade (say at midday) and it is breezy but not enough to require staking. The panels create more surface area for the wind to get under. Yes, they include some braided nylon guy lines that you can use to stake but why bother if not needed. A better solution would be additional ties attached to the umbrella like the ones to secure the zippered panels.
- Durability is questionable. An umbrella has a lot of moving parts, stretching/flexing and prone to break. Compound that with wind on a beach and salt air. It is a matter of trade-offs. High portability equals low weight construction. High durability equals heavier construction. Mine is still hanging together but would be surprised if it will last more than two seasons of moderate use. Still, for the convenience and usability provided, I have no complaints and would not think twice about replacing unless something better came along.
- Small complaint - the shoulder strap on the carry case is a thin narrow nylon material. It is uncomfortable and awkward to carry on the shoulder (at least for me). It is too long if you want to carry by hand. I have tied it into a knot to shorten.

To wrap this up, if you want a highly portable and effective sun shade / wind break for the beach for two adults, the Sport Brella is worth your consideration. It is quick to set up / break down. I like mine enough to say that I will buy another when this one wears out.

I bought this umbrella for the kids' sports. It looked nice and had an easy set up. But right out the bag, the stay at the end of on of the spokes was broken and couldn't be fixed because it's plastic. During the season almost all the rest broke as well. So while it's looks nice and works pretty well, this has to be fixed or it's not very useful.

when I unpacked the item, black plastic fell out of the sleeve. The stays that hook the edges were broken. Come up with a better design! If it can't survive mailing how will it hold up in outdoor conditions? I will send it back and try it again but I am not holding my breath.

I have used this at soccer games in rainy Seattle and every time I set it up, people come from all over the fields to ask me about it. I swear I could set up shop and sell them out of my car. One man said, "I have umbrella envy."

The side flaps keep me dry from the wind-blown rain we often get in the Fall around here. The stakes keep it from blowing away. And, the compact size of the carrying case makes it easy to lug from the car with my fold-up chair. I don't mind rainy soccer days anymore because I know I'm not going to have to sit in wet misery for an hour.

After enduring many soccer games in the pouring rain, I had hoped this would be exactly the solution to our problem. NOT! When used in the configuration shown in most of the pictures with the back side of the umbrella on the ground - we discovered that the rain simply poured in the handy little vent holes built into the top of the umbrella. Those vent holes - like a market umbrella has - are somewhat useful to stop this large umbrella from blowing away in the wind - BUT when its pouring rain, it's like having a big hole right in the middle of your umbrella. It's like a bad joke! I'm going to try to fabric glue the top vents closed, but not sure if this is going to work. I'm sure its fine for sun protection, but they also market it as being for the rain. Don't get it for this purpose unless you are prepared to somehow modify the vent holes. On the plus side, the soccer team was ecstatic to have something so large to sit under together.

We'd gotten the version without the windows last summer, which had a plastic stand and plastic screw handle to keep the umbrella up. Upon first use the plastic screw handle broke, which obviously meant that the umbrella wouldn't stay open.

BUT, although we returned that one, we decided to give it another shot this summer, since it was such a great idea and worked so well otherwise... we were *so happy* when we received it to find that the plastic had been replaced with metal!!! I don't know if this is only on the "deluxe" model with the windows, but this thing is fantastic and perfect now... really stays put even in the sand at a windy beach, and we love it!

The windows are nice too, because you can keep them closed, or zip them open for a breeze. BEST umbrella ever!

We bought this for use at sporting events. The first time we used it the clip that holds the metal umbrela rod in broke. I called the company and they imediatly shipped me a new one. We used the new one at a football game where it was raining. the pole bent a little trying to get it into the ground. and easily blew over with the wind. even tho we had it tied down. Also I noticed the metalic under coating is scratched or ripped from storage. considering this was the first time using the second one I am pretty sure it was nothing we did.

These are wonderful umbrellas, we use it for the beach, Little League games, etc.
I did just buy the same one, however, at Costco for $39.99 a few days ago!

I live in Florida and use the Sport-Brella for my son's soccer games. It can be a little exhausting to set up by the time you open it, get it in the ground, undo the flaps, secure the flaps, etc. But, the sun protection is excellent and the quality seems sufficient. And, it is pretty light to carry. I'm usually carrying two chairs at the same time...