ShedRain Auto Open & Close Slim Compact Umbrella

Product Information

We love the timeless design of this umbrella, but since you can’t stash it in your bag, it may be easy to forget and leave behind. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

3 - 6 WEEKS

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"). In addition to being on the longer and heavier side of the spectrum, the materials used aren't the most confidence-inducing as far as long-term use goes. The hook handle is made of plastic, and the ribs are quite thin. Ease of use also isn't particularly high with this model, as the manual slide can easily pinch the hands. Still, the totes Clear Bubble is good for casual use to and from your destinations, and we appreciate its fun and useful style. 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. 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. 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.

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. When choosing an umbrella, you want one that’s easy to hold, especially when it’s wet. The handle should always have a comfortable grip and fit comfortably in your hand. Handles are made from a variety of materials—wood, cork, leather, and rubber—and rubber-coated handles and cork handles offer the best grip even when wet. Jason Sullivan from Certain Standard says cork is a sustainable option, too. “Not only do cork handles feel great in your hand, but we wanted to consider an eco-friendly option. Cork can be harvested from the bark of a cork tree without cutting the tree down, so we aren’t damaging the trees.” 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. Comfort-driven EVA cushion grip handle for a comfortable hand feel and a slip-free grip; Includes a wrist strap for convenience on-the-go, and a matching self-fabric case with snap on swivel hook so you can attach it to a belt loop, a bag, or a suitcase 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."

What to Look for in an Umbrella

Looks (1 to 3): Does the handle look elegant or cheap? Is the hardware sophisticated? Would you be embarrassed to be seen with it?

We spent a lot of time exploring what made each product harder or easier to use and eventually found ourselves drifting toward certain ones for various reasons. Ultimately, umbrellas just aren't very user-friendly to begin with, as they require one hand, sometimes two, and once you add a coffee cup to the mix for your morning stroll, convenience isn't always a given.Wind Resistance (1 to 5): Did the umbrella flip inside out? Did it strain under the pressure? Was it vented to let air blow through?

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.For California Residents Only: WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov I’M LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR SHEDRAIN STYLE BUT CAN’T FIND IT