8 best shade sails that can upstage any garden brolly – from heavy duty to stylish coverings

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, the sail 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 one 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 including the summer-ready yellow.

Bringing a laid-back, global travel vibe to our garden, while protecting us from harmful rays, is this eye-catching number from VonHaus. With its black-on-white geometric print, it successfully blocks the sun but it doesn’t darken our patio space. The long, rectangular shade sail boasts strong and sturdy metal D-rings and tough polyester ropes with enough length to give you the versatility of tying the sail to a mature tree trunk alongside fence posts, or for a longer-term set-up, brackets on the back of your conservatory. Made from a durable polyester, the shade sail is water-resistant and provides good (albeit unspecified) UV protection. 

For those that like to blend, La Redoute’s offering features an arresting pattern of botanical motifs, lending a tropical aesthetic to outdoor spaces while keeping the look naturally green. The sizable rectangular shade proves a stylish statement – and a talking point at outdoor dinner parties – while it gets to work protecting us from damaging sunlight and harmful UV rays. The sail is made from 100 per cent polyester canvas and boasts strong rope ties and finely stitched integrated loops that, we found, are no match for even the strongest winds. Practical and decorative.

You’d expect a quality product from a company whose raison d’être is shade sails, and Clara’s rectangle blue sail doesn’t disappoint. New for the brand, the colourful canopies come in a range of hues from cheery brights to calming neutrals, and in triangular, square or rectangle configurations in various sizes. This one proves pleasingly lightweight and is therefore a doddle to hang up.

Despite its light makeup it is surprisingly strong: think stainless steel D rings are 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 but it offers a vibrant colour pop, too.

Reaching an impressive 6m across, this 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 makeup, 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, it is finished with a double layer of reinforced edges.

Made from HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, Outsunny’s offering not only protects us from harmful rays but it keeps temperatures underneath the canopy comfortably cool. The rectangular sail features extra-long 2.5m rope ties, which we found handy for tying the sail to awkward or hard to reach supports or existing stuctures, while the stainless steel D rings prove strong and sturdy. This one also comes with its own carry bag and can be neatly folded for easy storage – a must for such an expansive sail. And in charcoal grey it brings a chic, contemporary feel to the patio without detracting from our outdoor furniture set-up.

This is one heavy duty shade sail that promises to last for many summers to come. It’s significantly more expensive than most 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 sail 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 PE 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 sail comes in a huge range of sizes and is tied using its integrated coir rope loops – these are reinforced with metal for larger sails.