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Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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Credit:
Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
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It has a frame system made It has an automatic open and close frame system, which is made of strong fiberglass - and is its secret to protecting you against strong winds and rain. Read More
This traditional umbrella’s winning feature is its portability—it easily fits into your bag, while still unfolding large enough to protect you from the rain. Read More
Stylish and fun, you can see outside of the clear plastic sides instead of putting your head down and trudging through the rain. Read More
This umbrella also had a sturdy, fiberglass frame and an easy-to-grip handle. If you live in a windy area, this is the umbrella for you! Read More
The Samsonite scored fine in most categories and was comparable to the other portable umbrellas in terms of rain protection and wind resistance. Read More
Everyone wants a cool umbrella. Some prefer style, while others prioritize substance, but we can all agree that umbrellas should keep you dry and hold up in moderate wind. While no umbrella is perfect in a heavy downpour, a good umbrella will prevent you from showing up to your destination looking like a wet rat.
Umbrellas have been around for thousands of years, but we found that many still fall short of protecting you from windy, rainy days. We are convinced that the best umbrella is the Davek Solo Umbrella (available at Davek for $115.00) for its quality, aesthetics, and performance. It's perfect for someone who wants to be sleek and stylish, yet its luxurious fabric and sturdy frame will still keep you dry.
After months of testing, the Davek kept us dry every time and was our best overall pick.
The Totes portable umbrella was just the right value for its superior wind and rain protection.
Fun design
Well-constructed
Good rain protection
Too large
Portable
Slip-proof handle
Quality frame
Average rain protection
Lightweight and compact
Sturdy in strong winds
Reliable water resistance
Too small
No umbrella is perfect and each one has its limitations, but there are concrete things you can look for when purchasing one. To keep you dry, an umbrella needs to have a strong waterproof coating such as Teflon. The type of handle you choose is also very important since the rain can make it slippery, so find one that you’re able to grip well.
An umbrella consists of about 150 parts and each one has to survive the elements. Rain and wind are especially hard on the ribs, stretchers, and springs. Heavy wind puts stress on your umbrella’s joints and can invert it.
Solid rivets and a quality frame will protect your umbrella from strong winds. Rivets tie the ribs, stretchers, and ligaments of the frame. To prevent getting an umbrella that is likely to break in a gust of wind, don't purchase one if you can see through the rivets on the frame. It is best to choose umbrellas made with steel, nickel, brass, and fiberglass to ensure you get more than one use out of your umbrella.
It is important to choose an affordable umbrella since it is an easy item to forget during your commute, but make sure the one you choose is well-constructed. For example, you could purchase five bargain umbrellas you’ll use once for our favorite, the Davek, which will last you a long time—just be careful you don’t forget it in a cab.
You can save yourself a lot of money if you’re willing to put the effort into repairing your umbrella. It is easy to break an umbrella, so repairing one can be a a multi-step process. While you might not want to go through the trouble of repairing an umbrella unless it was expensive or has sentimental value, it is useful to know that it can be done.
Use the two halves, strong adhesive glue, and some extra tough tape to repair a broken stem. Glue the broken stem together and finish by wrapping it tightly with strong tape.
The G4 full-size is the umbrella for you if you live in a windy area!
It is very inconvenient (and annoying) when an umbrella turns inside out in heavy rain. A potential quick fix is to stand still, fold the canopy inwards, and hold it in the direction of the wind. This works about half of the time if you are using an umbrella with a poorly made frame.
When an umbrella canopy flips up in the wind, fix the spokes by weaving a thin wire in place of them and tightly fasten it to the center. Repairing rips in the canopy fabric is another quick fix if you have a simple sewing kit and an arsenal of patches at your disposal. To keep yourself dry, sew the patches directly into the canopy using waterproof fabric.
Cailey Lindberg
Staff Writer, Updates
Cailey Lindberg is a Staff Writer at Reviewed and full-time Dog Mom to @sandor_thebassethound. In her spare time, she writes about music and history for Mental Floss.
Lily Hartman
Staff Writer, Search
Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.
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