‘Victorians were crying out for this brolly’: the best umbrellas for staying dry in the rain – tested

Our reviewer braved Peak District downpours to see which brollies – from budget to mini to windproof – stayed standing • The best waterproof jackets for women • The best waterproof jackets for men We Britons have loved brollies since about the turn of the 19th century.

Previously an aristocratic luxury, today they’re a broad tent covering tight budgets and expensive tastes alike. You’ll see them sprout like mushrooms whenever rain hits the high street. Most decent umbrellas will keep you dry(ish), but peek closer and you’ll find that not all are the same. Some have stronger,…