Zpacks Lotus UL Umbrella Review

JUMP TO: SPECS  |  PROS & CONS  |  HOW IT PERFORMED  |  FEATURES  |  ACCESSORIES  |  SUMMARY

Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Jan 4, 2024
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While everyone has an umbrella stashed in a coat closet at home somewhere, hiking-specific umbrellas remain far from ubiquitous. Admittedly, I was skeptical when first discovering the existence of dedicated hiking umbrellas like the Zpacks Lotus UL Umbrella.

But, as with many niche pieces of gear, the hiking umbrella epitomizes the “if you know, you know” maxim. While the Zpacks Lotus will never be a part of my everyday hiking and backpacking kit, I now appreciate the hiking umbrella’s appeal, especially for heat-sensitive hikers or anyone taking on long-distance trails through hot, dry, and exposed terrain. 

For thru-hikers, the supreme luxury of on-the-go protection from sun, heat, and rain is worth the occasional odd look and added bulk. And weighing only 7 ounces and with a waterproof UPF 40 canopy, the Lotus is one of the best hiking-specific umbrellas out there.

SPECS

HOW IT PERFORMED

WEIGHT & PACKABILITY: At 7.1 ounces, the Zpacks Lotus UL is likely one of the lightest umbrellas in existence. There are a couple of even lighter options, but they all sacrifice durability and overall performance. The Lotus strikes the balance nicely: it feels featherlight in your hand and is comfortable to carry for long periods, but it is not fragile, largely thanks to its fixed-length shaft. However, this does come at the expense of some packability, as the umbrella does not collapse smaller than 26 inches.

EASE OF USE: There’s nothing novel here: the Lotus operates like an average umbrella, featuring a push lock to extend the ribs and open the canopy. A Velcro strap secures the umbrella when not in use. A comfortable cork handle and adjustable wrist strap add to the umbrella’s usability.

WEATHER PROTECTION: The umbrella’s canopy is treated with a water-repellent coating. But, like most umbrellas, it does not do well in windy rainstorms. The real value of the Lotus is in hot and dry conditions. The highly reflective polyester canopy is rated to UPF 40. Under the umbrella’s shade, temperatures can be 10-15 °F cooler than surrounding air. It can help fend off heat exhaustion, dehydration, and sunburn better than any other piece of gear or clothing.

DURABILITY: The foam cork, polyester canopy, and fiberglass ribs feel solid and have held up reliably. With its fixed-length shaft, the Lotus UL is one of the more durable hiking umbrella options.

NOTABLE FEATURES

UPF-RATED REFLECTIVE CANOPY: The 40 UPF-rated canopy deflects thermal energy and harmful UV rays. Though perhaps unwieldy, hiking umbrellas like the Lotus UL provide far more effective sun protection than sunscreen, sun shirts, and bucket hats combined.

ERGONOMIC HANDLE: The knobby cork hand is comfortable to grip and is accompanied by an adjustable wrist strap. It is also small enough to fit into backpack shoulder straps or side pockets for hands-free use.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

UMBRELLA HOLSTER: The Zpacks Umbrella Holster kit includes a shock cord loop and a small clip. It enables you to securely attach the Lotus to the shoulder strap of just about any backpack, freeing up both of your hands.

UMBRELLA STUFF SACK: For extra protection and easy storage, you can also grab a Zpacks Umbrella Stuff Sack. Made from durable and waterproof bio-based Dyneema fabric, the stuff sack is an easy way to preserve your umbrella’s water-resistant coating and extend its lifespan.

SUMMARY

So, is a hiking umbrella worth it? As a one-time skeptic, I definitely get the appeal after testing out the Zpacks Lotus UL Umbrella. It provides unmatched heat and sun protection. It is lightweight but not flimsy. It makes mid-rainstorm meal prep tolerable. And, with some craftiness, it can even be integrated into an ultralight shelter setup. 

A hiking umbrella will likely never be part of my standard backpacking kit, thanks to their added bulk and limited utility in more temperate climates. But for anyone preparing for a big hot and dry thru-hike or any hiker prone to heat exhaustion or dehydration, the Lotus is worth seriously considering.

DISCLOSURE

Zpacks provided me with a free sample for this review – but the views expressed here are all my own. The review might also contain affiliate links, which help us keep churning out more content.

MORE INFORMATION

Looking for more information on hiking and backpacking? Be sure to check out some of our other tips and gear reviews:

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• Which Baselayer Material is Best?

• Ultimate Backpacking Gear List

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Or check out our entire Gear Reviews Page, our Knowledge Base Articles, or Destination Guides for more hiking, backpacking, and outdoors related content.

Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!