The Ultimate Beach Umbrella Buying Guide: 7 Key Factors for 2026
Don't buy a beach umbrella until you read this. Our 2026 expert buying guide covers the 7 key factors you must know: ASTM F3681 wind safety compliance, true sun protection (UPF), anchoring systems,...
The "Fake Shade" Problem: Why You Still Got Sunburned Under Your Umbrella
You sat under the umbrella all day and still got burned. It's called "fake shade" — a dark shadow doesn't mean UV protection. Here's what's really reaching your skin, and the four things that fix it.
The Ultimate Guide to Sun Safety: How UPF, Shade, and Sunscreen Work Together
As a mom, I thought shade was enough to protect my kids. I was wrong. This is my expert guide to true sun safety, explaining UPF vs. SPF, why shade alone isn't enough (citing a famous study), and h...
The truth about UPF vs SPF: what really protects you at the beach
A UPF 50 canopy lets about 2% of UV through. Ours lets through 0.008%. Both can legally wear the same label — which is why the number on the tag is the wrong thing to be comparing.
What is RPET? How We Turn Ocean Waste Into Your Beach Gear
What is RPET? As the founder of Handy Beach Goods, I wanted to share our sustainable process—how we turn recycled plastic bottles into the durable, planet-kind, UPF 55+ umbrellas and blankets you l...
Beach umbrellas miss the mark on UV — here’s what to look for
As a mom, I thought any umbrella meant my kids were safe. I was wrong. Here's what the UPF label doesn't tell you — and what to look for instead.