Sturdier than a paper parasol/umbrella, but I still found myself squinting in the sun when using it on a particularly bright day. Slightly wider than I'd expected, which was nice, but the handle seemed short in comparison. Definitely worth the price, though, and decent, sturdy construction. I bought it for a medieval reenactment, and it suits just fine; I would not recommend for weddings, showers, or other "nice" or "fancy" events, as it is neither.