Why is wind rating important for parasols?

Wind rating is a really important factor to take into consideration when selecting your perfect parasol – whether it be a centre pole, cantilever or a large umbrella. It shows how stable the parasol can stay in one place withstanding windy conditions.

Parasols with higher wind ratings are more resistant to strong winds, reducing the chance of them flipping or breaking. Even sudden wind gusts won’t worry you, because you’ll have sufficient time to close your canopy and even wrap around it a protective cover! Alongside providing a top quality base that’s heavy enough to support the parasol, wind is no match for parasols recommended by Shade Specialists.

In simple words, knowing your parasol’s wind resistance provides peace of mind during a sudden weather change.

What are the wind speeds to look out for while using windproof parasols?

Let’s say you have your eyes on one of our windproof cantilever parasols.

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It's sunny outside with a clear blue sky.

And you now decide to extend the bright 3m canopy for a while to relax in the shade during the Summer of 2026. You are engaged in your favourite outdoor activity while sitting on those comfy cushions.

Time flies when you’re having fun. A sudden gust of wind starts to pick up.

Here’s our advice on when to look out for the wind and getting ready to close the canopy.

If the wind speed is between 1 – 7 mph (or 1 – 11 kmph), you do not have to worry about a thing, as the Bambrella Levante Sidewind Bamboo Cantilever Parasol is designed with a sturdy bamboo that can resist even higher wind speeds. Remain seated comfortably and enjoy the gentle breeze knowing you invested well for this experience.

Should the wind speed continue to pick up, with speeds ranging between 8 – 24 mph (or 12 – 38 kmph), you can still sit with peace of mind and experience the fresh breeze. You can also witness the parasol’s impressive engineering that maintains stability throughout the breeze.

Any wind speed above 25 mph (or 39 kmph) is considered a strong breeze. This is when you’ll see trees swaying hard as the wind starts blowing stronger. That’s your cue to begin folding this windproof canopy. Although the Levante Sidewind parasol can stand tough through a strong breeze, we advise you not to leave your parasol open unless the parasol was fitted to the ground by a Shade Specialists team.

This table details wind speeds, incorporating Beaufort wind scale ratings and different wind speed classifications from Shade Specialists.

Wind description terms Beaufort wind scale mile per hour (mph) kilometre per hour (kmph)
Shade Specialists Wind Speed Classification
Calm 0 <1 <1 Light winds
Light air 1 1-3 1-5
Light breeze 2 4-7 6-11
Gentle breeze 3 8-12 12-19 Moderate winds
Moderate breeze 4 13-18 20-28
Fresh breeze 5 19-24 29-38
Strong breeze 6 25-31 39-49 Strong winds
Near gale 7 32-38 50-61
Gale 8 39-46 62-74
Strong gale / Severe gale 9 47-54 75-88
Storm 10 55-63 89-102
Violent storm 11 64-72 103-117
Hurricane 12 ≥73 ≥118

***Please note: At Shade Specialists, we categorise wind speeds as light, moderate, and strong to determine when it is safe to use your parasols. It’s not an officially recognised way to measure wind speeds. To know how wind speeds are measured, please refer to the Met Office.

No matter if your outdoor area has light, moderate, or strong winds, we have the right parasol for different wind conditions. However, we strongly advise closing the canopy and covering it with a protective cover when the wind is strong.

Relax in the shade this Summer of 2026

We have compiled our parasol models based on the wind speed and tunnel testing conducted by the engineers from Bambrella. See how wind resistant the parasol is and what the maximum wind speed it can handle.

Bambrella Hurricane Extreme

A Windproof Parasol with Stainless Steel Finish.

windproof parasol that can handle wind speeds more than 120 kmph

The Bambrella Hurricane Extreme is a grand parasol that can resist wind, tearing, and rust. Crafted with high-quality 316 stainless steel and marine-grade materials, its hub, runners, posts, and canopy can handle wind speeds up to 125 km/h and harsh weather.

This windproof parasol features a unique Ferrari 502 PVC canopy. You can choose this vinyl canopy in over 40 colours and select from rectangle, round, or square shapes, starting from 3m in size and larger.

Our expert engineers have tested the entire frame and canopy at high wind speeds, to show how the parasol remains stable and intact even in the harshest weather conditions. The wind tunnel test proved that this parasol can handle wind speeds above 73 mph (or above 118 kmph). This parasol is designed to resist winds of Beaufort 12 strength.

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Bambrella Levante Bamboo Parasol

The Sturdy Centre Pole Parasol with Windproof Capabilities.

Our top-selling bamboo centre pole parasol is the Bambrella Levante. Combining chic elegance with great design, this wind rated parasol is ideal for hospitality businesses and home gardens that experience moderate to strong winds. This parasol is designed to resist winds up to a Beaufort 10 or wind speeds up to 56 mph (or 90 kmph). Only when wind speeds hit strong (or severe) gale force will the parasol wobble excessively.

This parasol is available in square, round and rectangle shapes ranging from 2.1m to 4m in size. There are three different canopies to select from with 30+ colours to choose from.

Have a look for yourself!

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Bambrella Hurricane Side Wind

Heavy Duty Aluminium Cantilever Parasol.

aluminium heavy duty cantilever parasol that can resist wind speeds exceeding 73 mph (or 118 kmph)

The Bambrella Hurricane Side Wind is our best-selling heavy duty cantilever parasol. To ensure strength and durability, this heavy-duty aluminum parasol and its canopy underwent wind tunnel testing at speeds exceeding 73 mph (118 kph). This test showed the parasol could easily handle the wind speeds of a 12 Beaufort Wind Scale.

The aluminium parasol comes with a geared winch system for fast and easy operation. This mechanism helps you to close the canopy swiftly and effortlessly as strong winds pick up.

You can select a square, round, or rectangular shape in sizes between 3m and 4m. And there is so much more to this parasol which you should explore it all today!

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What else to consider before purchasing a windproof parasol?

For pubs, restaurants, or gardens needing windproof parasols, a sturdy base is crucial for secure ground anchoring. Besides, the canopy’s ability to stay firmly fixed to the ground is due to the base. At Shade Specialists, we’ve matched every parasol with a perfect base, eliminating your need to search elsewhere.

From heavy bases that can be easily moved to permanently fixed bases, we offer a wide selection. Browse our collection of parasols that catch your eye. Configure it with the base that fits within your budget and enjoy wind-resistant parasols in your outdoor space.

To help you make an informed decision when choosing bases, please refer to our expert resources:

  1. Parasol Base Guide
  2. Parasol Buying Guide
  3. Selecting a garden parasol with base
  4. Alternatively, check out the technical details on each product page to find the perfect base for your chosen parasol.

If you need assistance or have further questions, please contact us immediately. Leave us a message or call us, and our expert team will be ready to assist you promptly.

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