EDC...... Umbrella?

[myk]

As of lately I've been spending more time on very short trips (eg this week I was in Buffalo, NY on Monday, home today, NYC tomorrow, home thursday, Boston Friday), and lately it seems to rain everyplace I go.

I need an umbrella that I can keep in my laptop bag/briefcase, so the most important feature is going to be closed size, specifically the thinner in one direction as possible - space is already at a premium in my bag, but weight and durability are obvious considerations also


So far I've found the following (but don't have any basis on comparison)

Totes Micron 6"x??" 6oz $15
Sharper Image "Worlds Shortest Fullsize Umbrella" 6"x1.5" 7 oz $15


actually thats all that had dimensions listed that i found - there's a samsonite and a london fog also, but the samsonite one has been reviewed to fold up even in a light breeze so i plan to avoid it

thanks in advance...

and to anyone wondering why a flashaholic would need an umbrella - while I don't mind a little water, the people I'm meeting with would probably prefer I don't drip all over their offices =)

 

[Marduke]

I would suggest a poncho. You can get them smaller than any umbrella, and they are 2 for $1 at a dollar store. Of course you can upgrade and get a nicer one that folds up much better and will last longer. Best of all, they fold flat.

 

[jboydjr]

I agree with Marduke. It seems to me that the only time I use an umbrella is during a downpour. When it is just drizzling, I don't mind getting a little damp...the point being...why carry an umbrella around with you when you can just pull a $1 poncho out of your pocket and really keep dry.

 

[GRoLED]

I EDC an umbrella, where I am in spring (as it is at the moment) it's often warm but wet, so an umbrella is ideal for sudden downpours.

A fold up poncho might be the most practical solution, but you do look slightly stupid if you happen to be working in the business district.

Sorry, can't offer any advice on choosing an umbrella as I just use a cheap compact one, but I'll follow this with interest.

 

[Superhawk]

victornox auto umbrella is what you need. Can be purchased at REI

 

[Minjin]

Gustbuster is the best...

http://gustbuster.com/

 

[jnathan]

I EDC a shedrain umbrella which I bought from a local travel store. The quality of the mechanism is very high, much higher than small umbrellas from London Fog and other major brands.

 

[nekomane]

21cm (8.26 inches), 102g (3.29ounces).
100cm (39.37 inches) across when opened.
Useless when the wind blows tho..

 

[AvroArrow]

Thanks for the link to the Gustbuster site Minjin. The Gustbuster Metro looks interesting and I found a place in Canada that sells it. The last time I had a good folding/retracting umbrella was a very old London Fog that had a hex-shaped shaft. I had that for many years to the point where the plastic handle/grip was worn and cracked, and the nylon canopy had holes at all the pivot points of the frame, but the shaft and frame held up fine, unlike those cheapy ones that bend in the middle of the shaft at the most inopportune moments.

I've been looking for a good umbrella too for a while since I've switched from driving to taking public transit to work. I usually wear a gortex jacket (I swear, it rains for 1/3 of the year here in Vancouver) and while it works very well most of the time, there are times when an umbrella works better. I've also discovered that gortex (and to lesser extent a rain poncho) is useless when you're in a hot & humid environment. I went on a trip to Kyoto, Japan back in June with my siblings and we all wore gortex jackets figuring that it would be all we needed for rain protection. Boy was I wrong. 30*C (86*F) + 80+% humidity + heavy rain > gortex. The insides of our jackets were wet because we were sweating so much on the inside due to the heat. There was too much water vapor in the air for the gortex to function properly. That's also when we finally noticed that all of the locals were carrying umbrellas instead of wearing rain coats.

 

[bltkmt]

I have one of these Knirps...German quality/engineering. Very well made.

http://www.european-umbrellas.com/knirps/clip/fibertech.html