ShedRain Auto Open & Close Slim Compact Umbrella

Product Information

The Prostorm Vented Travel Umbrella is pretty remarkable for the money—it's leagues better than the similarly priced models you'll find in corner stores on rainy days. The fiberglass and steel frame feels slightly more robust, especially since it has nine ribs to support the canopy than the usual eight. It has a deeper dome than you'd expect for better protection, and the open/close mechanism works well, though you sometimes have to shake the umbrella to let it fully extend out. It's double-vented with a 38-inch canopy that feels spacious for one person. My only gripe is the handle—the rubberized material feels nice (it comes with a strap!), but it's tiny in my large hands. This might not be an issue if your paws aren't as ginormous as mine (I'm 6'4").

This is the quintessential umbrella. When closed, it's around 3 feet long—hard to store in a bag. The curved handle is exceptional, made of top-grain leather, and you get a nice button that tastefully opens the umbrella up (it closes manually). You're getting high-end materials through and through. The frame system is made of "wind-tension" fiberglass, the shaft is also fiberglass, and the canopy is among the largest in this guide, with a 44-inch diameter. It's meant for one, but it had no trouble sheltering my partner and me from the elements. Most umbrellas have a diameter between 30 and 40 inches, which is the measurement of the canopy from side to side. When shopping for an umbrella, consider your intended use. If you’re looking for a lightweight compact or travel umbrella, it will likely have a smaller diameter canopy and will provide less coverage. If you’re more interested in a standard umbrella and aren’t concerned with portability, they generally have a larger canopy and will be heavier. Materials matter as well. Gregory R. Bisconti, PGA Head Golf Professional at The Saint Andrew's Golf Club in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, suggests players seek out umbrellas made from lightweight components like fiberglass and nylon. "It's important to keep the weight manageable to carry," he says. Inch Canopy or Larger: Unless you're going for something ultra-small like the Davek Mini, you ideally want a canopy with a 38-inch diameter or more to keep most of your body dry. The chic, compact Balios Double Canopy is a very well-made and durable model. It's evident that Balios designed this umbrella with careful attention to the finer details. Its ergonomic handle feels nice in hand and is quite good-looking, lending it a timeless appearance that will complement a wide variety of wardrobe styles. The canopy is impressively large for a compact model, which means it's both fashionable and functional.

The Best Umbrella on Amazon: G4Free

The soft-grip handle and auto open-and-close button are convenient additions to the umbrella’s on-the-go design, and it comes with a lightweight storage case. Just note that the mechanism is so easy to use that the umbrella can close on itself! It’s not enough of an issue to affect the overall convenience and protection of the design, though. We love that it comes in fun colors like light rose, Coolibar blue, silver/green, and aqua/metallic, too. Eight Strong Ribs: Make sure there are at least eight ribs and that the ribs are made of some type of fiberglass—it's a flexible and sturdy material, so it'll fare better resisting high winds. It's even better if the shaft is made of fiberglass, too. Golf umbrellas are designed to protect golfers and their equipment from the sun and rain. The extra width and depth allow for greater rain protection. They’re also big enough to share the canopy with another person. The G4Free Golf Umbrella is technically a golf umbrella, but it’s suitable for use by non-golfers, too. The 62-inch double canopy is vented to allow wind to blow through making the umbrella easier to handle, and the 210-thread count fabric is lightweight and water-resistant. If you live in a rainy climate, investing in a dependable high-quality umbrella is probably worth it. The Davek Elite Umbrella has a waterfall-shaped canopy, which is made of dense 210-thread-count fabric and treated with a water-repellent coating. The umbrella has a reliable windproof frame, and the slim handle is wrapped in genuine top-grain leather. The metal tip is an elegant touch.

The Rain-Mate Compact Travel Umbrella has nine reinforced fiberglass ribs and a metal frame, making it sturdy enough to handle strong winds and heavy rain. In fact, those reinforced ribs are designed to act as a failsafe in the face of winds, preventing the umbrella from flipping inside out so you can stay dry during gusts. Even though it’s petite in size, it offers substantial coverage; we’re a fan of the 42-inch canopy, which comfortably protects users and their belongings. Impressively large for a compact umbrella, the Davek kept me mostly dry (although some wayward-traveling rain did seep in), leaving me a little unsure this could live up to its promise of keeping two people totally protected. In the wind, the steel ribs creaked a bit, but I never felt like the umbrella was at risk of turning inside out or breaking. Where the Duet truly excels is its sturdy feel, effortless open-close mechanism, and sleek style. The leather wrist strap was an especially nice touch. — K.I.A. A great option for those wanting extra room or coverage that can be easily shared with another person Vented double canopy provides superior wind resistance and withstands any windy, stormy, or rainy conditions without inverting or breaking; Teflon coated fabric canopy is waterproof and resists damage from harsh wind, storms, and UV sunlight If this style feels outdated, consider the Blunt Metro with its unique shape. While the Blunt doesn't provide as much rain protection, it offers quality and is very easy to use.Looks (1 to 3): Does the handle look elegant or cheap? Is the hardware sophisticated? Would you be embarrassed to be seen with it?

I've wasted a lot of cash on cheap umbrellas, and I'm here to warn you not to make the same mistake. There are plenty of decent affordable umbrellas, you just need to know which brands to rely on. I also think it's worth spending a little more on a high-quality umbrella that will last a while. I've researched extensively and tested close to 50 umbrellas for nearly three years—these are our favorites at various price points. Now you just have to remember to bring it with you. A great, compact alternative is the Repel Windproof Travel. With high construction quality and versatility scores, the Repel is sturdy and reliable despite its more complicated, compact design as compared to the EuroSCHIRM. For players who haven't invested in one yet, there are a few factors they will want to consider. "What makes a good umbrella is the size of the canopy (the larger, the better), preferably over 60 inches," says Wesley J. Forester, PGA Director of Golf at Reynolds Lake Oconee. A double canopy is also an important feature. "The overlapping canopies allow wind to pass through the umbrella, so it does not collapse," Forester adds. "They reduce the feeling of a parachute as the wind lifts you up." Comfort (1 to 5): How onerous does the umbrella feel? Is it comfortable to hold or does it make our hand cramp? How smoothly does it open and close? How easy would it be tote around?You can exchange products you have received as a gift subject to our exchange and return policies. READ ABOUT OUR RETURN POLICY HERE. WHAT IF MY UMBRELLA BREAKS?

Larger than the average umbrella, but not as large as a golf umbrella, Certain Standard’s The Large Umbrella offers plenty of coverage in downpours. Seattle residents are very familiar with rain, and Seattle brand Certain Standard is about creating high-quality products that are as beautiful as they are functional. The 46-inch canopy comfortably covers you—and maybe a friend—while the lightweight frame easily glides open and closed. It’s built for storms light and heavy, offering key versatility in an umbrella you’re sure to reach for again and again.What sets the ShedRain apart from its competition is its reverse-closing style — the umbrella folds up inside out, keeping water off you when you’re carrying it closed. It’s a great feature for when you’re coming in from outside and don’t want to put down or hang up a soaking wet umbrella. The ShedRain also did a solid job of keeping me dry while I was using it, and the single button that opens and closes the umbrella was easy to use. — K.I.A.