Whether you’re in a hospitality setting, lounging by the pool at home or visiting your favourite eatery, there are few things more chaotic than a windy patio. Fluttering napkins, blowing hats and messy hair. Cantilever Umbrellas can be stressful in the New Zealand wind, shout out Wellington, and it’s an important question to ask when you see them buffeting around.
What is the best cantilever umbrella in the wind in New Zealand? Cantilever Umbrellas are a great choice for wind-resistance. This design offers style, strength and stability. By offsetting the canopy from the mast, the cantilever umbrella can meet the undulation of wind and provide protection, all day long.

Cantilever umbrella in the wind on the blustery Tutukaka Coast
An important feature of all cantilever umbrellas is wind resistance. You can be hurt in a variety of ways or even… inconvenienced.
- Cheaper umbrella models break, you’ll have a large replacement cost over time.
- Hospitality venues could lose revenue whilst you wait for the capital to replace the umbrella.
- Your brand will look cheap.
It’s no wonder that many cantilever umbrella manufacturers are happy to show off their wind ratings. There are a few claims thrown around with some ratings blasting up to 140kph (85mph). As a few unhappy umbrella owners have discovered, wind rating aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
Wind Rating Inconsistencies
Wind ratings are often created using software or in controlled environment such as wind tunnels like the Auckland University’s wind tunnel. These simulations are designed to build up the wind pressure at a slow and steady rate to study the aerodynamic properties of objects. In the real world, wind is much more unpredictable, random and violent. It blows and gusts with sudden changes of direction. This behaviour is what causes damage. Wind is easy to manipulate and is impacted and diverted by trees, building, and other objects. The angle of the umbrella is also relevant to wind ratings. Cantilever Umbrellas are strongest when the wind hits them from the side the canopy is attached to the mast. Side on they’re weaker because of physics.
Another issue with wind tunnel testing is they don’t test long term wind impacts. Even when the umbrella remains intact after being exposed to the elements, the structure may be damaged and not last long from there.
Such limitations of wind rating are well known in engineering circles. It’s something that many manufacturers don’t mention to customers. You will find most umbrella warranties do not cover wind damage.
Why is Shadowspec Different?
At Shadowspec our Cantilever umbrellas, the Shadowspec Serenity™ and Shadowspec Unity™ are Made in New Zealand and carry the FernMark. We’re proud to be New Zealand’s only manufacturer of Cantilever Umbrellas. We test our umbrellas in real-world conditions at our Whangarei factory. Utilising the winterless norths famous pocket microclimates, we can test various real scenarios to ensure Shadowspec Umbrellas are made to the highest standard.
The standard wind resistance of cantilever umbrellas in the Shadowspec Umbrella range exceeds Beaufort 5, which is the range of 33-41 kph (21-25 mph). Beaufort t is a metric that measures wind speed in observed conditions. Beaufort 5 is a great target for cantilever umbrellas, which are a temporary shade solution to be used with discretion and common sense.
The reality is, 33kmph (20mph) winds will blow over a glass of wine so there’s no point having umbrellas up in that kind of weather.
We always suggest you retract your umbrella in high winds, that’s why we focus on deployment, ease of use and aesthetics when we design Shadowspec Umbrellas.
Are Shade Sails and Awnings Good for New Zealand Winds?
There are a few advantages and disadvantages regarding wind. Shade Sails are permanent structures, requiring poles, concrete and surrounding works for a safe install. They’re also not warrantied for wind damage and by comparison, you can’t take them down to prepare for a storm. You’ll also know if you’ve been in earshot of one in high wind, they’re loud and annoying.
Awnings are perhaps the most susceptible to wind. As they’re affixed high to a wall, they need to be monitored for wind gusts. A few high-end awnings feature wind sensors to close them when they detect wind. If they’re not retracted in time they could break off the wall and damage nearby fixtures and windows.
Umbrellas solve for this by offering a trouble-free shade solution. When you need them, they’re easy to put up. And they’re just as easy to retract. Cantilever umbrellas are a freestanding solution to shade.
Wind Ratings are important.
When you’re considering your next outdoor shade solution, don’t ignore wind ratings, they are important in New Zealand, make sure the tests are verified, check how they were performed and read the fine print in the warranty. You should walk away from cheaper models if you want a long lasting investment in shade.
Hope you enjoyed reading about Cantilever Umbrellas Withstanding the Wind
View Shadowspec's 'Made in New Zealand' cantilever umbrellas.
Shadowspec Serenity™ Shadowspec Unity™