Five Umbrellas We Highly Recommend

A relative newcomer in the umbrella world, inverted umbrellas are as practical as they are quirky. The sturdy construction of this one makes it stand out from other inverted umbrellas on the market. It comes in many colors and patterns which is a positive, too.

Product Highlights

The inverted umbrella style has many practical applications. Rather than getting soaked from a wet traditional umbrella, the reverse mechanism puts the dry side on the outside.

This inverted umbrella has a stainless steel frame to withstand strong winds. The carbon fiber handle also helps it maintain its durability and strength in harsh conditions.

Additionally, the unique C-shaped handle allows for hands-free activities when folded. So, you can easily hang it from your wrist or hook it onto a bag. The shape isn’t the only thing that’s great about the handle. It’s also non-slip and anti-sweat to reduce accidental drenching.

Lastly, the canopy is a double layer 210T fabric that is high density, light, and waterproof, not just water repellant. This helps keep you drier than many other umbrellas on the market.

The inverted design is a unique way to stay dry without making a mess when going in and out of shelter. A C-shaped handle gives users great carrying options, too. Also noteworthy is the roomy canopy with waterproof fabric that keeps users very dry. Furthermore, numerous vibrant color patterns make this Owen Kyne umbrella more appealing than its competitors.

This inverted umbrella seems to have some quality control issues. Sometimes an umbrella won’t stay open, or the handle will come off. Fortunately, customer service is very helpful about sending replacements if needed.

There’s no “right” umbrella for every person. Umbrella preferences vary from person to person. So, if none of our suggested ones were the right ones for you, here are some things to look for when searching for the perfect umbrella.

Think an umbrella is just an umbrella and that they’re all the same? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. There are different types of umbrellas, and some are better in certain situations than others. Take a look at some popular styles below.

The Classic

This style is what most people think of when imagining an umbrella. This modern folded umbrella has a shaft that may be made from different materials, like polyester, metal, or wood. In addition, the canopy is typically a microfiber material.

The Automatic

The automatic is a compact umbrella that fits into your purse, backpack, or briefcase. Designed so that you can open and close it with one hand, this umbrella style is one of the most common.

The Pocket

The pocket umbrella is smaller than an automatic one. These umbrellas are small enough to fit in most pockets. They are also commonly used in emergency situations when you find yourself caught in a sudden downpour.

Because they are so small and lightweight, you can carry one all the time without it becoming obtrusive. Unfortunately, these types are known to be poorly constructed and not very durable. Consequently, you are bound to get wet if you are in the rain too long or are in windy conditions.

The Bubble

You may remember these types of umbrellas from your childhood. The bubble umbrella has a distinctive tall spherical shape, and usually have some type of transparent material for their canopy.

The High Wind/Storm

If you live in an area that is prone to stormy or high wind conditions, you may see people with this umbrella. Where other umbrellas may break, these are reinforced to withstand up to 55-mph winds.

The Golf

Golfers have a special class of umbrella designed specifically for them. The canopy diameter is much larger than a standard umbrella, sometimes reaching 70 inches. They may be easily carried in golf bags for protection from sudden rain.

The Inverted

A relatively recent invention from the UK, the inverted umbrella allows for opening and closing in reverse. When you do this, the dry side is on the outside instead of the inside.

This reverse folding mechanism helps if you are getting in and out of your car. It also helps to avoid wind damage, and may prevent water spillage when you get inside.

Do you like funky colors that stand out when you pick an umbrella? Or do you go with a classic understated black?

Picking out your color and design is a personal choice. You may hear talk about reflective properties of certain colors, but that mainly refers to sun umbrellas. If you are carrying around an umbrella because of sudden downpours, odds are that you are not worried about sun exposure.

The verdict? Go with the umbrella color and design that speaks to you.

Umbrellas don’t vary very much when it comes to special features. For example, some umbrellas feature a double canopy that allows for wind to pass through the fabric. Ideally, this minimizes the instances of your umbrella flipping inside out. Results may vary, however, depending on the manufacturer.

Fabric type may also vary between umbrellas. All are waterproof/resistant to varying degrees, but there are different fabrics to produce this effect. You may see microfiber, nylon, and plastic among the fabric choices.

Additionally, some canopies are treated for sun protection, too. These types may have a separate reflective liner, or the fabric itself may be treated with an SPF agent.

Lastly, the opening mechanism may vary depending on the type of umbrella you purchase. Some feature a single button for opening and closing. Others require manipulation to varying degrees.

Umbrella Ribs

Umbrella ribs, or “spokes,” are the thin pieces of metal or fiberglass that attaches to the fabric. You can see them inside the umbrella as you open it. In umbrellas that break down, these ribs have 3 or 4 segments attached by pins to fold in upon itself.

You may also be familiar with this part of the umbrella because they are typically the ones that break when your umbrella flips inside out.

Frame Material

Frame material varies between manufacturers, but the common materials include steel, fiberglass, wood, and aluminum. Contemporary manufacturers tend to gravitate towards materials that may reduce the overall umbrella weight. So, you may see fiberglass and aluminum as popular frame materials.

Some materials are more durable than others. As you may expect, using steel makes for a robust frame but it may increase the umbrella’s weight. Fiberglass, on the other hand, is lighter and more flexible than steel but isn’t as robust.

Handle

There are 2 main types of umbrella handles: the hook and the straight grip. The hook is the quintessential U-shaped handle most commonly seen on straight umbrellas. They may be made from different materials such as wood or plastic.

The hook handle makes it relatively easy to hold the open umbrella over your head. And it’s popular because you can hook it onto your arm when not in use.

On the other hand, contemporary umbrella handles feature a straight grip. With this type, the bottom of the umbrella is reinforced with rubber, plastic, or some other type of cushion material. These are the most common in compact or automatic type umbrellas, but some straight umbrellas also use this style.

Lastly, unique handles such as a C-shape are also available on certain umbrellas. Besides holding an open umbrella with an arm, these handles allow users to hook closed umbrellas around the wrist for a grip similar to a hook handle. But the C-shape is generally smaller and less obtrusive than a hook.

Umbrella materials are usually broken down into 3 main sections: canopy, frame, and handle.

The canopy is typically made from a waterproof nylon taffeta, though other similar materials may be used.

Next, the frame section in this instance includes ribs and shaft. They are generally made from the same material, though some manufacturers choose to reinforce specific parts with another material. Common materials for the frame include steel, fiberglass, aluminum, and wood.

Lastly, the handle may be constructed from wood, rubber, or plastic depending on the handle type and manufacturer. Handle material is a matter of personal preference, so you may see different variations of the same handle.

One of the sturdiest parts of the umbrella is the handle. So when picking up your umbrella try to grab it by its handle first.

1. Get clear. Find a place that is outside or close to it. A doorway would work so long as no one is trying to get in at the same time. Also, make sure there aren’t people close by. You may injure them when opening an umbrella.
2. Open the umbrella. Depending on the type of your umbrella, you may see a button on the grip or a slide on the shaft. Point the umbrella away from yourself and any potential passing people. Press the button or raise the slide until you hear it click into place.
3. Raise your Umbrella. Finally, raise the umbrella over your head so that the canopy covers both your head and shoulders. If you are short, be careful when you do this or you may accidentally hit someone.

Ideally, vertical placement should provide you with a barrier between the rain and your body. But in windy conditions you may have to adjust the angle.

If your umbrella doesn’t have a free replacement program, or you simply don’t want to wait, you can fix umbrella tips yourself.

Umbrella tips, or the part where the rib end attaches to the canopy, easily come apart. But there is an easy fix for that too. You just need a bottle of silicon rubber glue or something similar. Please keep in mind, though, that in this instance you should not use water-soluble glue.

With your glue in hand, squeeze a little from the rib tip to the part where the canopy connects. For extra staying power, you can also squeeze a little glue in the rib hole where it used to attach.

Next, press the fabric into place. You can use your fingertip or a plastic implement to do this. The idea is to create a new adhesive point to the tip. You may want to also reinforce new umbrellas by adding the glue before the threading snaps.

Automatic umbrellas are difficult to repair, so if you have a replacement program for your umbrella you may want to call your manufacturer. However, if your umbrella is stuck you can try lubricating different parts of your umbrella frame.

1. Test the shaft. Press and depress the locking mechanism for the shaft. Lubricate the top spring if it feels a little stiff.
2. Check the Slide. Next, check the sliding mechanism. Can it slide up and down or does it get stuck? If it does, you can try cleaning the slide and applying lubricant.
3. Check the joints. If you are having trouble closing the umbrella, the stretcher may be out of alignment. This bar folds when you close the umbrella. If it is out of alignment, it may produce a slight grinding sound or appear bent. For bent stretchers, grab a pair of pliers and straighten out the metal bar.

Additionally, the rib joints are generally flimsy and if one breaks you may have problems folding your umbrella. If one is not connected, you can try threading a small piece of wire to reconnect the rib joints.

We feel the best umbrella on this list is the Repel Travel Umbrella. It is compact and light so you can carry it everywhere without a second thought. This great automatic umbrella features 9 fiberglass ribs for extra reinforcement in windy conditions, and the Teflon-coated canopy does a great job at keeping the rain off you.

However, if you need an umbrella with a larger canopy the G4Free Golf Umbrella may be a good choice. This all-weather umbrella is rugged and sturdy. It also comes with a lifetime warranty and helpful customer service.

In the end, you may go through several umbrellas before finding one that’s right for you. And your experience may be different than the reviews you’ve read. So, when in doubt choose one that has a guarantee or replacement program just to be on the safe side.