Fulton
Rated: Great
Price: $$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Fulton is best for consumers wanting a quality, heritage British umbrella brand with some sustainability moves. The standout is the iconic Birdcage umbrella used by the Royal Family, plus a dedicated Eco range made from recycled plastic bottles with bamboo handles. The key caveat is that sustainability credentials are thin compared to dedicated ethical brands, manufacturing occurs in China (not prominently disclosed), there are no third-party labor certifications, and environmental reporting covers only London offices, not the supply chain.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Park Royal, London, United Kingdom
- Founded
- 1956
- Product categories
- Shoes, Accessories
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- Planet Mark (4th year), Royal Warrants (Queen Elizabeth II)
Fulton sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
The Eco range uses 100% rPET fabric from recycled bottles, sustainably sourced bamboo handles, and PFC-free waterproof coatings, a genuine improvement. However, this is a small subset of the total product line. The standard range uses conventional polyester, PVC (Birdcage), steel/fiberglass frames, and various plastics. No organic, regenerative, or certified material sourcing for the main range.
Manufacturing takes place primarily in China, confirmed by multiple independent sources, though the brand emphasises its London/British heritage. No Fair Trade, SA8000, WRAP, or similar labor certifications found. No published Code of Conduct or factory list. No modern slavery statement found in research. The brand's references to "ethical standards" lack substantiation.
Planet Mark certified for 4 consecutive years, using 100% green electricity in London offices, with a commitment to 2.5% annual emissions reduction. The Eco range uses recycled materials. However, Planet Mark reporting covers only London offices, not Chinese manufacturing where the majority of environmental impact occurs. No lifecycle assessments, water usage data, circularity programs, or take-back schemes exist.
The environmental policy page is generic and aspirational. No sustainability report, factory list, or supplier information is published. Manufacturing location (China) is not prominently disclosed. Planet Mark provides limited carbon data for London operations only. Not rated by Remake or Eco-Stylist.
Mid-range pricing (£15–38 for most models) is well-positioned, cheaper than premium handmade brands like Fox Umbrellas (£100+) but more expensive than disposable umbrellas (£5–10). The Eco range at ~£20 is accessible. Wind-tunnel-tested engineering and Royal Warrant heritage justify the premium. Free UK delivery on orders over £30.
What they do well
- Dedicated Eco umbrella range using 100% rPET recycled fabric, bamboo handles, and PFC-free coatings: a genuine step in an accessories category with very few sustainable options
- Durability-focused engineering with wind tunnel testing at Imperial College London and patented fiberglass frames: built to last, which is inherently more sustainable than disposable umbrellas
- Carbon footprint measurement through Planet Mark certification for 4 consecutive years, plus 100% green electricity in London operations
- Iconic British design heritage spanning 69 years, with Royal Warrants and genuine engineering innovation
Room for improvement
- No labor standards or supply chain transparency: Manufacturing in China with no published labor standards, factory audits, ethical certifications, factory list, or Code of Conduct. This is the most significant gap.
- Sustainability scope is extremely narrow: Planet Mark covers only London offices, not manufacturing. The Eco range is a small fraction of total products. No circular economy program or take-back scheme.
- Manufacturing origin not transparently communicated: The brand heavily emphasises its London/British heritage while manufacturing in China. More honest communication about production locations would build consumer trust.
About Fulton
Fulton was founded in 1956 in Whitechapel, East London, by Arnold Fulton, a Polish-born inventor and mechanical engineer who survived the Warsaw Ghetto. His sister ran an umbrella factory in Stockholm, inspiring Arnold to pioneer specialist machinery that transformed the umbrella industry. The brand gained prominence when the Queen Mother began using the Birdcage umbrella in 1988, and a Royal Warrant was granted in 2008.
The Eco range represents Fulton's main sustainability initiative, using rPET from recycled plastic bottles for canopy fabric, sustainably sourced bamboo for handles, and PFC-free waterproof coatings. Each Eco Ocean 2 purchase protects one acre of endangered Peruvian rainforest through their Planet Mark partnership. The standard range, however, uses conventional polyester, PVC, steel, and plastic, materials without sustainability certifications.
Fulton holds Planet Mark certification (a UK-based carbon certification less rigorous than B Corp) for its London office operations only, not manufacturing. The Royal Warrant indicates quality recognised by the British monarchy, not sustainability. Manufacturing takes place in China, with design, distribution, and finishing handled from London. The brand is not B Corp, GOTS, or Fair Trade certified.
Shipping offers free UK delivery over £30 with DPD Next Day available. EU deliveries are currently suspended. Standard 14-day returns apply for unused products. Pricing sits mid-range: the Eco Ocean 2 at ~£20 is accessible, while golf umbrellas reach ~£38. This is significantly cheaper than premium handmade brands (Fox Umbrellas at £100–300+) but above disposable alternatives. Trustpilot rating is concerning at 1.8/5 from 32 reviews, though the small sample size skews toward complaints about quality inconsistency and customer service.
Product highlights
Eco Ocean 2 UV
Walking umbrella from the Eco range with UPF50+ sun protection
~£20
100% rPET recycled fabric, bamboo handle, PFC-free coating; each purchase protects one acre of Peruvian rainforest
Birdcage 2
Iconic dome-shaped clear PVC umbrella used by the Royal Family
~£26
A genuine design icon since 1988; offers excellent upper body protection and visibility
Stormshield
Heavy-duty golf/walking umbrella with 131cm double canopy and windproof vent
~£38
Top-rated for wind performance in BBC Countryfile testing; fiberglass frame for durability
Open & Close Superslim 1
Ultra-compact automatic folding umbrella
~£26
Bestselling everyday umbrella combining convenience with Fulton's engineering quality
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