9 best shade sails that will outshine any garden brolly

One of Amazon’s bestsellers, with a wealth of positive reviews to prove it, this triangular sail is made from a high-density woven polyester and boasts an impressive 96.5 per cent UV protection with a UPF of 34.

With a tighter weave than some, this canopy is ideal for our unpredictable British weather, giving us shelter from the odd downpour but without the fear of overheating when the sun finally decides to shine.

This shade sail features tough webbing loops with a 1.5m rope supplied for each corner, and it proves a toughie in windy weather, too. It’s available in a range of muted tones, as well as some playful brights, from classic ivory (pictured) to a summer-ready yellow.

Spanning a whopping 4m, this is a shade sail that means business. Despite its impressive size, it proves surprisingly lightweight in the fabric, and yet reliably sturdy when it comes to metal fastenings – here you’ll find hefty chains where most other shade sails feature less hardwearing polyester ropes.

The canopy is made from a highly durable HDPE – or high-density polyethylene, in layman’s terms – with an open structure that makes it both water and wind permeable. It also promises to be mould resistant and we’re told we can leave it outside from March to September.

Probably most importantly, this canopy lays claim to 90 to 95 per cent protection against harmful rays.

If you like the idea of a functional shade sail in the garden but you’re worried about a huge lime-green triangle upsetting your aesthetic, you might prefer this pretty number from Cox & Cox.

The soft-white canopy is made from 100 per cent polyester and features contrasting black tassels in cotton. Adding a touch of whimsy to your patio space, pergola or lawn, it makes an attractive addition, with the tassels gently swaying in the breeze.

On the practical side, this shade sail doesn’t boast any particular level of UV protection, but when relaxing underneath it, you can certainly feel relief from the sun. It’s also reliably water repellent and will forgive the odd spring or summer shower, though it’s advised you bring it inside during the winter months.

Everybody loves a nautical stripe, and while this is technically sold as a beach tent, it also makes for a nifty shade sail in the back garden. What we love about this product is that it’s both lightweight and compact – and therefore totally versatile and ready to go up in a jiffy.

The canopy comes with a pair of foldable aluminium poles, much like those you find in camping tents, and while the poles are slim, they prove sturdy and windproof. The striped canopy itself is made from a densely woven cotton, which goes a long way in protecting us from damaging sunlight.

With its poles and its pegs, this freestanding shade sail is great for the middle of the lawn, as it doesn’t have to rely on existing structures to tie onto.

You’d expect a quality product from a company whose raison d’être is shade sails, and Clara’s gorgeous blue canopy doesn’t disappoint.

Available in triangular, square or rectangle configurations, this canopy proves pleasingly lightweight and is therefore a doddle to hang up.

Despite its lightness, it is surprisingly strong: think stainless steel D rings sewn into each corner with 2m lengths of tough nylon ropes. Blocking up to 98 per cent of harmful UV rays, and with water-resistant properties, this is a practical sail that also offers a vibrant colour pop.

Reaching an impressive 6m across, this shade sail is a great choice for those with an expansive property – and an enviably spacious patio, or even outdoor pool. With a product this size, you want to ensure it’s properly supported with sturdy fittings that won’t let it sag in the middle – and the Swift sail does just that.

Crafted from a high-density polyethylene fabric, the sail boasts a textural, knitted make-up, which allows both air and light to pass through it, leading to a more comfortable experience underneath. The Swift sail blocks up to 98 per cent of UV rays and boasts strong stainless steel D rings, durable ropes and, reassuringly, is also finished with a double layer of reinforced edges.

This is one heavy-duty shade sail that promises to last for many summers to come. It’s significantly more expensive than most in this round-up, but it’s worth bearing in mind that the sail comes complete with everything you’d need to hang it up, including strong tension straps, ring eyelet screws and dowels.

In a choice of cream, grey or yellow (think more mustard than canary), the minquadale sail is made from 100 per cent high-density polyethylene and is both air and water permeable, meaning the canopy is comfortably cool and breathable, if not entirely water-proof.

If you’re after a sustainable alternative to man-made shade sails, then this one, crafted from coconut coir, ticks all the right boxes. The all-natural product features a gridded design, which awards the sail a bit of structure, whilst providing adequate support, with no sagging in the centre. Hardy and tolerant to rain, the coconut fibres will double in weight when wet but they dry in a jiffy – ideal for our unpredictable weather.

Thanks to its looser weave than most polyethylene products, the substantial sail gently filters and protects us from the sunlight, casts beautiful shadows, and brings a laid-back bohemian vibe to our patio space.

The canopy comes in a huge range of sizes (from £150 for the smallest to £600 for the largest) and is tied using its integrated coir rope loops, which are reinforced with metal for larger sails.

This substantial shade sail is a standalone affair, thanks to its hefty powder-coated steel frame. It’s ideal if you’re after a more long-term set-up on your decking, and it really comes into its own at a garden party with its heavy-duty water repellent polyester fabric. That said, if you don’t want it covering your patio space for the entirety of the summer, it proves relatively quick and easy to take down and put up again. The sail boasts a PU coating for extra protection and comes with awning tensioners as well as fixing loops to ensure it’s nice and taut and angled in exactly the right position to give you shelter. While this one’s not cheap, its quality is palpable.