And to suit a range of preferences, we have four other picks, including a budget travel umbrella (perfect for forgetful types) and a high-end, stick-style umbrella that provides more coverage (and is constructed from premium materials).
Our pick
This solidly built, easy-to-find umbrella holds up in high winds. It also comes in several colors.
Buying Options
The Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella folds up to a compact size (11½ inches long), so it fits in most bags and glove boxes. At the touch of a button, it forcefully expands to reveal an ample canopy (37 inches in diameter), which protects your torso and head from precipitation in all but the windiest conditions. And its textured handle is easy for hands of all sizes to grip.
We also appreciate that this umbrella comes in several colors (see other options here), so you can more readily find yours in a crowded umbrella bucket. Finally, Repel backs this reasonably priced umbrella with a lifetime refund or replacement guarantee—but only if you purchase directly from Repel and register the item under its warranty.
Runner-up
This nicely priced umbrella blew away most competition in wind-resistance tests. It comes in a range of colors, but they tend to vary in price, and this model has a history of stock issues.
Buying Options
The AmazonBasics Automatic Travel Umbrella with Wind Vent costs less than our top pick—if you get it in black (the other shades cost more.) And due to its vented design and sturdy build, it shrugged off even the toughest gusts during testing. Since 2017, when it first came to our attention, this umbrella has gone in and out of stock several times, making it hard to predict when it would be available. As of early summer 2024, it is out of stock again. If you can find it, though, this is a solid umbrella.
Also great
This umbrella performs similarly to our top pick but has a more luxurious feel and build. However, it lacks a wrist strap.
Buying Options
The Balios Folding Double Canopy Umbrella looks and feels premium—with a wooden handle and solid build quality—yet it costs the same (when shipping is included) as our top pick, the Repel umbrella. But its wooden handle is more slippery than the Repel’s handle, and since the Balios umbrella also lacks a wrist strap, you need to be more vigilant in keeping a grip on it. This umbrella held up well to strong winds, and its 37-inch-wide canopy easily bounced back after it was forced to invert during testing. The Balios umbrella deploys quickly.
Budget pick
This isn’t the toughest umbrella, but it comes in many colors, and it’s portable and inexpensive. So it’s great for kids or forgetful folks.
Buying Options
The Lewis N. Clark Umbrella was a previous top pick in this guide, and it’s still a great value. This lightweight travel model frequently goes on sale for about half the price of our other picks, so it’s a good choice for kids or those who tend to lose umbrellas. It isn’t as solidly built as our other picks, but at 10 ounces, it’s about a quarter-pound lighter than the Repel and AmazonBasics models. And its 38-inch canopy offers better coverage and more wind resistance compared with most other umbrellas in the sub-$20 range. We also like that it comes in eight colors.
Also great
With this model, you get classic style and impressive durability at a very reasonable weight—and price.
Buying Options
If you want more coverage than a compact automatic umbrella can provide, stick umbrellas, though typically taller and heavier, have a wider canopy, so they protect more than just your upper torso. Among the nine stick options we tested, the Totes Auto Open Wooden Stick Umbrella was by far the most affordable. Yet it held up against the strongest winds and didn’t feel at all top-heavy, which is a common issue with this type of umbrella (often misidentified as a golf umbrella). This one also looks nicer than you might expect for the price. But if you want something made from more premium materials, and you’re willing to spend a lot more, consider our other stick-umbrella pick, the Davek Elite.
Upgrade pick
If you’re willing to pay a lot more for a timeless umbrella with elevated style and construction, this is the one to get.
Buying Options
As we’ve established, you don’t have to shell out a lot of money to get a great umbrella. But if you do opt to splurge on a timeless stick, the Davek Elite is worth it. It has a stitched leather handle, a high-quality fiberglass frame, and a 44-inch microfiber canopy. (Plus, there’s a lifetime guarantee to back it all up.) The Elite is available in three colors (black, navy blue, and copper). Beyond its fancy materials, this umbrella can really perform. It withstands wind exceptionally well. And, thanks to its flexible ribs, it doesn’t become a kite when subjected to strong gusts; instead, it turns inside out and then recovers easily. It’s worth noting, however, that the Elite’s cane handle measures 5 inches across, which could be a lot for a smaller hand to manage.
Source: nytimes.com
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
