For now it's one of my preferred umbrellas to take along.
The folding Haven umbrella is a useful size for travelling and does the main job I ask of an umbrella, keeping the rain off. One press on the handle button opens the canopy, and another collapses it. You then compress the telescoping stem yourself before packing it away.That part is straightforward once you know what to expect. At roughly 390g it has some substance without being a full-length umbrella to carry around. I like the flexible ribs, although I can't tell from a few outings how well any frame will age, so I'll keep an eye on that. It has been fine in the fairly light showers we've had lately. I haven't tried it in anything especially rough and wouldn't want to claim more than I've actually experienced. If I get more demanding weather to use it in, I may add to this. For now it's one of my preferred umbrellas to take along.
Eugene Webb
Over a year in, it still works without any trouble.
A mix up with a gift list is how I came to have this, but it's turned out to be a good thing. Sometimes it feels a little lighter built than I'd like, and I did wonder how long the automatic opening would last. Over a year in, it still works without any trouble. I'm not using it constantly, mostly because I forget to take it, so that's moderate use rather than a daily test. No problems with it turning over in the weather I've had it out in. A touch more coverage would be nice, but otherwise it does well against rain. Oh, and the black looks smart! I quite like an excuse to get it out.
Judy Gallagher
Europe was the reason I ordered this umbrella.
Europe was the reason I ordered this umbrella. Nothing wrong with it, it just felt a little heavier than I wanted for something I'd be carrying around all day. In the end it stayed home and I packed a smaller, lighter umbrella that would slip into my purse. For regular use here I'm sure this one will be fine, especially when I don't have a whole day's worth of things on my shoulder. It looks good and opens nicely.I was trying to cut down every bit of weight for the trip, which is really the reason it didn't make the bag.
Barry Morse
The green looks every bit as nice in person.
The green looks every bit as nice in person. It is a rich colour, and the simple design shows it off well. I chose it for a friend and am very content with that choice. I had been looking for an umbrella that would make a useful gift without looking dull. Finding this one when I needed it was a pleasure. The overall appearance is lovely and I think it makes a very good present. Thank you for a nice product.
Jaclyn Aguirre
Take the five stars as a first impression.
Take the five stars as a first impression. It only arrived today, on a sunny spring day, so I can't report on how it behaves in wet or windy weather yet. In the hand, though, it seems a thoughtfully put together umbrella. There's some weight to it for a compact, and I rather like that substantial feel. The button opens it promptly and folds the canopy closed just as it should. Closing doesn't also shorten the telescoping shaft; you press that back in yourself to finish packing it down. That's the operation, not a fault. If the feel of an umbrella matters to you, this makes a very good first impression.
Alison Buchanan
They feel well made, although we haven't had them that long.
My twins are four and their younger sibling is three, and all three are delighted with these umbrellas. Seems the enthusiasm has spread to their classmates, judging by what the other parents tell me. They feel well made, although we haven't had them that long.
Brett Lawson
Lovely looking umbrella, smart without being showy.
Lovely looking umbrella, smart without being showy. The button sends it up quickly and brings the canopy in just as neatly, then I compress the shaft myself. I browsed so many before choosing, as little folding umbrellas can look rather flimsy. This one has a much more substantial feel in the hand. Fine for the wet, breezy days I've used it on, and if things get nasty I can fold it and head indoors. Recommended.
Angie Gardner
About six months of use and I've been impressed.
About six months of use and I've been impressed. It has coped nicely with wet, windy days and the opening action hasn't given me any trouble. The construction feels solid, not delicate. Based on how it's held up so far, I'm hoping to keep this one for a long time.
Cheyenne Riggs
They are much nicer in person!!
Our teachers usually go home from the end of year celebrations with armfuls of flowers, which is lovely until you see them trying to manage everything without crushing the bouquets. I always feel a little sorry for them at that point! It made us wonder about putting the flower money towards something that would still be useful after the summer.We wanted a proper thank you, not just something practical for the sake of it, and an umbrella suddenly seemed a rather good answer.
I spent ages looking online once we'd decided, because it is difficult to judge these things from pictures. These caught my eye and I eventually ordered nine, with some nerves about buying that many when I hadn't actually held one.
They are much nicer in person!! I'm delighted with the choice. Pressing the button brings the umbrella up smoothly, and it draws the canopy shut again neatly too. The loop handle is comfortable in the hand, and the whole thing has a reassuring solidity that our usual cheap umbrellas don't have, without seeming bulky. I had wondered whether choosing a compact meant sacrificing too much coverage, but opened out it is a perfectly sensible size for one person. I wouldn't choose it for two people trying to squeeze underneath.
For me this is exactly the sort of gift I might hesitate to buy for myself, then be glad someone else had thought of it. The black is smart rather than showy, so it doesn't feel like something you need to know a person's wardrobe to choose. Although ours is intended for a woman, I can see it being equally suitable for a man.
Gregg Vaughn
I like the plain black look.
I like the plain black look. I've had two umbrellas before this one, and the first went missing while the second never felt particularly sturdy. This feels more substantial than either of those did. The black is a proper dark black, which is what I was hoping for, rather than a washed out shade. I like the oval handle as well; it feels nice in my hand. I'd happily recommend it!
Albert Boone
Rain is one thing, rain coming sideways is another.
Living in Chicago, you learn pretty quickly why people call it the Windy City! Rain is one thing, rain coming sideways is another. I'd been buying inexpensive umbrellas and getting fed up with how they behaved in wind, so this time I paid a bit more. Wasn't completely convinced it would make much difference at first. But out walking in the rain I found myself just getting on with my walk, rather than thinking about the wind the whole time! Other people were leaning into theirs and holding on tight, which was what made me notice. I could stand upright without having that same struggle. Why only four stars then? the weight, for something that folds down this size it isn't particularly light. For going to work or popping out to do things around town, that doesn't bother me much. It feels like a reasonable trade for how it handles. Packing for a longer journey is different though, where everything you put in the bag counts, and this takes up some room as well. There is a carrying sleeve included which is handy for keeping it together, but doesn't make the bundle any lighter! I'd still choose a lighter little umbrella for a holiday if luggage space was tight. For the everyday going-about-your-business sort of use, this one makes more sense to me.Still glad I spent the extra money.
Audrey Ortega
This replaces an umbrella I misplaced.
This replaces an umbrella I misplaced. I have always kept a decent umbrella around and prefer something I can use for a long time. Several older umbrellas in our family still get used, so I am used to looking at more than just the appearance. This one feels solid, opens smoothly and seems a very good replacement. I am happy with the choice.
Charles Cisneros
The construction on this umbrella is better than I expected.
The construction on this umbrella is better than I expected. There is a solid feel to it and it has stayed steady in the wind I've encountered. Opening it is very easy, but be ready the first time you press that button because it springs out quickly! Putting it away hasn't been a bother either. The simple design looks smart, and I've actually had people stop to compliment it, men as well as women. For me it was money well spent.
Maureen Walton
Several rainy commutes in and I'm glad I bought it.
Several rainy commutes in and I'm glad I bought it. Folded, it goes into my work bag, but open it gives me plenty of cover on my own. Two can squeeze underneath if needed. I travel by train and bus, so having something manageable between connections matters. My previous smaller umbrella packed away nicely but left far too much of me exposed to the rain. This one is a much better compromise between coverage and carrying size. It dries fairly quickly when left out, then goes back into its sleeve rather than getting loose in the bag. It looks smart as well, a bonus for something I mainly bought to be practical.
Kristen Walters
Picked this out for a little girl through a charity Christmas program.
Picked this out for a little girl through a charity Christmas program. An umbrella was on her wish list, and I thought a simple folding one would be something she could keep using. I wasn't there when she opened it, so I can only hope it made her smile and kept a bit of Christmas magic going
Gina Mooney
A nice umbrella and I'm happy to have it.
Nothing to grumble about here. I leave mine open until it has dried before I fold it away, rather than putting it straight into the sleeve wet. Seems the sensible way to treat any umbrella really. Takes a little patience to let everything air out (especially between the folds) but mine has been fine. A nice umbrella and I'm happy to have it.
Steve Madden
What a great umbrella.
What a great umbrella. Plenty of cover overhead to keep the rain off, a frame that feels reassuring when it's breezy, and gray because, well, a simple colour can look good too. The button opening is handy. If you want something useful AND good looking rather than just another thing to drag around on wet days, this one is worth a look.
Donna Zavala
oh and i'm still sensible about wind.
Didn't expect to be this entertained by owning an umbrella, but apparently thats where i'm at now :-). My favourite bits are the quick button opening, the comfortable loop to hold onto, and how much space there is underneath without carrying some enormous pole around. A gust caught it while i was waiting for the bus and it stayed the right way round, unlike what i'm used to. then a cute girl asked if she could share the shelter. not saying an umbrella makes you cool, but i certainly felt pretty important for those few minutes ;-).
It's made the miserable rainy days a little less miserable, even the really drizzly ones (drizzlier? is that a word). The nice difference is i can put this one in my locker at work when it's dry. the awkward part is when it's wet and i leave it spread out in the break room, because i still have that thought that someone will decide its theirs when i turn my back. i know, probably me being ridiculous. There's a closed oval loop rather than an open hook, so hanging it depends what you're hanging it on.
oh and i'm still sensible about wind. just because it handled a gust doesn't mean i'm volunteering it for the wildest weather. normal rain is enough testing for me. Pressing the button to gather the canopy is handy too, then a push on the telescoping part packs it away. little routine, no big deal. For something i expected to be boring . . . . . THIS THING IS GREAT!!!!!
Victor Hardy
For proper rain it's worth carrying.
There's plenty of room under this umbrella, although the folded size is a bit more than I pictured. It does collapse down, just not into something I'd put in a small pocket. For proper rain it's worth carrying. On a drizzly day I sometimes wish it was smaller, but the loop handle does give me somewhere to hang it.
Cory Christian
I'm far too fond of how this umbrella looks it's so prettyOnly had…
I'm far too fond of how this umbrella looks it's so prettyOnly had a few chances to use it but each time I've wanted to show it offNo fiddling about with opening or folding it away and it goes in my bag nicelySeems a decent quality for the money so hopefully I'll be carrying it for a good while
Janet Maldonado
A solid, nicely put together umbrella, and very easy to get used to.
For the money, the finish is surprisingly good; nothing about it looks cheap. Mine is black outside and has a black underside too. The automatic action is straightforward—press once to open, then again to bring the canopy down. You still shorten the telescoping stem yourself afterwards. A solid, nicely put together umbrella, and very easy to get used to.
Gerald Hobbs
First impression is that it feels quite solid.
First impression is that it feels quite solid. There are a lot of ribs under the canopy, and the shaft doesn't have the flimsy appearance I was expecting from a compact umbrella. I'm not claiming that makes it indestructible, just that the construction seems reassuring when you have it open.That is only an indoor impression so far, though. I haven't actually put it through a rainy day yet, so my confidence is based on how it feels rather than a proper test. If that changes with use i'll come back to this.
As far as appearance goes, the green is nice and the oval handle gives it a slightly different look. In the pictures I had imagined that part looking a bit more refined. Up close it is fairly plain, which was a small letdown initially, but then I thought...it's something I'll be carrying in bad weather, not displaying. Practical probably makes more sense.
The sleeve is fairly unremarkable. Just an ordinary umbrella cover, and I wouldn't consider it a big part of the appeal. My main reservation, and the reason for four stars, is the size of the closed handle loop. For my hand it feels a little larger than necessary. I'd prefer something less bulky there.
Ryan Castaneda
It won't shelter us both completely, but it is handy for our walks.
Good size - gives me shade sitting at the beach and keeps me covered when I'm pushing the baby in a carriage. It won't shelter us both completely, but it is handy for our walks. On a narrow pavement I have to watch the branches overhead. A breeze makes steering and holding it awkward, although I still reach for it often.
Sheila Alvarado
Nice compact umbrella, and a handy little stocking present.
Nice compact umbrella, and a handy little stocking present. It can go in a backpack/bag/purse without needing a space all to itself. We get those sudden afternoon showers on the gulf coast, so I like having something ready rather than leaving an umbrella at home. I wouldn't choose it for battling heavy rain and wind, but for getting caught out on an ordinary day it is just right.
Carolyn Norton
Fairly easy to carry, and the frame seems solid.
Fairly easy to carry, and the frame seems solid. I bought it mainly to give me some shade rather than as my usual rain umbrella. There is a noticeable difference standing under it on a sunny day instead of being out in the direct sun. I would still use it in an ordinary shower, but I don't intend to test it in wild weather. Overall, I recommend it for anyone wanting a practical bit of shade they can take along.
Zoe Sloan
Happy with what I paid and with the umbrella.
Great buy. I wasn't expecting much for the money but it doesn't feel like a cheap umbrella. I've had it about a month now and the handle feels good, the fabric is decent and it has worked fine. Opens with a satisfying snap. It comes with a sleeve, probably the most basic bit of the whole thing, but it does hold everything together neatly. All wrapped up it looks oddly serious for an umbrella, made me smile anyway. Mine arrived in good packaging and nothing was marked or squashed. I wouldn't say the sleeve is fancy, but I wasn't buying it for that. Happy with what I paid and with the umbrella.
Kristopher Chandler
The oval handle looks a little odd to me.
My five year old is delighted with this and has already had a few nice comments about it. It's sweet looking without all the princess stuff, which I like. She can work the opening button, although I help compress the stem after the canopy closes. My two reservations are these: 1. The oval handle looks a little odd to me. Purely personal taste, but it is the first thing I notice. 2. The fabric feels quite light. We've used it a number of times with no leaks, but I can't tell yet how it will stand up to being handled by a child. It isn't a tiny children's umbrella either, so I keep an eye on her with it. Even so, she enjoys using it and it has done its job, so I'm happy overall.
Christine Levine
Light to carry, and there is a good solid feel when it's up.
Light to carry, and there is a good solid feel when it's up. I haven't taken it out in a thunderstorm or anything like that. What I appreciate is being able to shake most of the drops off before coming indoors. I leave it open to finish drying, then it goes back in the bag without much fuss.
Misty Ingram
My newer golf bag has a place along the side for an umbrella.
My newer golf bag has a place along the side for an umbrella. After getting caught out in rain a few times I thought I should actually put something in it.
Good points first: There is a decent amount of cover considering how small this folds down. It is light enough that I don't really notice carrying it either. The canopy curves down at the edges, rather than being almost flat, which I appreciate when the rain isn't coming straight down. There are a lot of supporting ribs under there, but it still packs into a fairly manageable bundle. The handle shape is where things get less convenient.
The not so good; I have dropped a star because the folded umbrella doesn't go into my bag's umbrella holder the way I had hoped. The oval loop is too wide at the handle end. Not sure whether the holder is particularly narrow or I just picked the wrong shape for it.
Putting it away also takes a little more attention than I expected. The button opens it and closes the canopy fine. You then push the shaft back down yourself, which works but needs a firm push. Wrapping the damp canopy neatly enough to get it back in the sleeve is the fiddly bit for me. It is perfectly usable, just a bit of a nuisance when I want to get moving.
Marie Snyder
Thirty ribs make the canopy look nicely rounded and structured.
I enjoy choosing umbrellas (fortunate, since living in San Francisco gives me plenty of reason to use one.) This one manages to be practical without looking purely practical. There's a satisfying amount of cover when it's open, yet it folds into something much easier to carry than a long umbrella. The oval loop handle is comfortable in my hand and gives a secure hold while I'm walking with it closed. Thirty ribs make the canopy look nicely rounded and structured. It's smart enough for work, or an evening out, without being fussy. I've only taken it out a couple of times, so these are early impressions rather than a verdict on longevity. Still, it seems solidly put together and I hope to have it for years.
Sherry Morales
BIGGER open than I expected!
BIGGER open than I expected! I needed to replace an old umbrella that had served me well, and this gives a decent spread of cover. It's still manageable to carry, though the folded bundle takes some room (not one for a tiny bag).Pros: Good value, useful size, seems well made.Cons: A little heavy and I wouldn't choose it for the roughest weather.
Shelia Wiley
This one has worked out well for me.
At school somewhere that seems to get rain constantly, I wanted an umbrella that gave decent cover without costing a fortune or being a nuisance to carry. This one has worked out well for me. It goes in my bag and has had plenty of use over nearly a year. The cream white isn't quite as clean looking anymore, which I suppose was inevitable, but it still opens and keeps the rain off just as it should. For the money I have no complaints and would happily choose it again.
Peter Lyons
Needed something nice looking to shade me on visits.
I grew up in Phx AZ, but most of my adult years have been in the NW. My folks are still in AZ. Needed something nice looking to shade me on visits. Gray is easy on th' eyes! Feels light enough for me, nicely put together...A practical little pleasure when the sun's beating down!
Ronald Burke
It folds away without being a nuisance to carry, too.
I wanted a solid umbrella with room to shelter properly, not something I would be throwing away after the first awkward gust. The ribs have some give to them, which I prefer to a brittle feel. This has kept me dry and my partner can tuck in beside me when needed. It folds away without being a nuisance to carry, too. I suppose you could find a way to hold it over the grill and carry on cooking through a shower. Only joking, I'm not standing there all evening as the barbecue's personal umbrella holder.
Thomas Bernard
The sleeve is useful when putting the umbrella away dry.
I wasn't intending to write a long account of an umbrella, but a recent exchange about using this one made me think it deserved a mention. I gave the beige Haven to my wife, and it gets used in the sort of weather we have rather more often than we'd like. Nothing particularly dramatic. Just rain, and the need to get on with things without getting soaked.
To put that in perspective, this hasn't been a test of how much punishment an umbrella can take. She has not: 1) deliberately turned it inside out. 2) left it outside to see what happens overnight. 3) used it to carry anything. 4) treated it as anything other than an umbrella. I mention that because some reviews seem to expect a small folding umbrella to be an indestructible piece of equipment. That's not what I was looking for.
What I wanted was something she would actually take along. The folded size makes that practical, although it isn't one of those tiny things you can forget you're carrying. There is a bit of substance to it. Opened up, it gives her useful coverage, and the beige is a pleasantly unremarkable colour. By that I mean it looks nice without making the umbrella the main event.
Recently I had a question about closing it. The button brings the canopy in, but the telescoping section still needs to be compressed manually. I wasn't sure if there was another action I was missing, so I asked the company. This was a question about normal operation, not something coming apart or refusing to work.
And here's the part I appreciated: the explanation dealt with that question plainly. Press the button to close the canopy, then shorten the umbrella by pushing the handle and top towards one another until it resets. No mystery, and no need to keep pressing the button expecting it to do a different job. Once I understood that, the whole process made sense. Straightforward help, which I appreciate a great deal.
Now, fair enough, somebody who has used lots of automatic umbrellas might say I should have known that already. Perhaps so. But I would rather ask a simple question than force something because I have misunderstood it. I don't consider a manual reset a fault, any more than I expect every part of a folding item to put itself away.
The handle is also a little different from the usual curved one. It's a closed oval loop, and she has found it straightforward to carry. The sleeve is useful when putting the umbrella away dry. Neither of those things would be my main reason for recommending it; they are just details that make the ordinary business of owning it easier.
So that's my rather lengthy report on a fairly everyday purchase. My wife uses it, it does the job we wanted, and getting a sensible answer to a small question left a good impression. I would happily have another for my own use. No extraordinary adventure involved, just a useful umbrella and a satisfied household.
Javier Mcmahon
Light enough that I don't mind bringing it along.
It isn't the most heavy duty feeling umbrella, but it's handy for keeping in my larger purse when rain is possible. Light enough that I don't mind bringing it along. Coverage suits me on my own, though I wouldn't choose it for sharing or for heading out in very rough wind.
Mindy Pearson
We travel quite often, and these have been good companions.
We travel quite often, and these have been good companions. They cost a little more than I'd hoped and aren't featherweights, However, they fold down neatly and feel substantial enough to justify it. Ours have coped with the breezy weather we've met on our trips. I expect to be using them for a while. Worth considering if you want a solid umbrella that doesn't need a whole corner of the suitcase.
Cheyenne Parker
You end up buying twice, which is what happened to me.
Okay, spend a little extra rather than going for the cheapest umbrella.You end up buying twice, which is what happened to me.This one is much more reassuring and the closed loop handle is a welcome change from what I had before.Umbrellas aren't something I love spending on, but flimsy ones aren't a saving either.I'm getting another of these to keep at the office so I don't get caught without one.
Meredith Deleon
I wanted a dependable umbrella to pack for my trip to Europe.
I wanted a dependable umbrella to pack for my trip to Europe. It got plenty of use in Berlin and Rome, where the rain seemed to follow me around. Folded up it took a little more luggage space than I'd hoped, but the construction feels solid. For the price, I was glad I had brought it along.
Katelyn Morrow
For the rain we've had it's been excellent.
Walking along the pavement in a down pour, I was with two people whose umbrellas folded back when a gust came through. This one kept its shape, which said more to me than any description could! I'm not pretending it could stand up to absolutely anything, you still have to be sensible with an umbrella in wind. For the rain we've had it's been excellent. There is enough cover that my shoulders aren't getting soaked all the time either. Money well spent as far as I'm concerned.
Susan Monroe
Looks tough, plenty of ribs.
Looks tough, plenty of ribs. The oval handle opening is rather small - my hand isn't especially big and won't go through it. 🤣 The canopy material feels quite substantial. Opening and closing the canopy is straightforward. I can see myself getting plenty of use from it.
Peter Kemp
A good choice for her.
Gave this to my daughter at Christmas and she was delighted.The cream white is very pretty, simple rather than flashy. More importantly, the button does its job, both opening it and closing the canopy. She finds pushing the shaft down afterwards a little firm, but otherwise a lovely umbrella. A good choice for her.
Tom Schultz
How much can you really write about an umbrella?
How much can you really write about an umbrella? Not much I suppose, but I do think this one looks beautiful - suits my taste and goes nicely with my usual things. Nicely put together too! The stitching looks tidy and the oval handle is comfortable to hold. And, yes, it has kept me dry when I've been out in the rain!
Haley Zavala
Pleased with them.
Small enough for a school bag and feels quite solid without being a burden to carry. I needed to replace my previous umbrella after it broke. There was a slight new smell at first, which disappeared after a day left open. I've now got one for each of the children's bags. Pleased with them.
Ariana Schroeder
So don't expect to be completely sealed off from the weather.
Living in Washington means this has already been out in the rain quite a lot. It looks lovely and feels sturdy, and it has coped nicely with gusts so far. The main thing to realise is that it is really sized for one person. I'm comfortable under it, but rain blowing across can still reach my shoulders and one arm, and the drips fall fairly close to me. So don't expect to be completely sealed off from the weather. On the positive side, my eight year old thinks it is beautiful and keeps trying to claim it whenever we go out. The button works smoothly, it packs away neatly, and I can see where I'm going as long as I don't hold it too low.
Gwendolyn Schneider
i would recommend it.
rainy season had me looking for a better umbrella since my old one was falling apart. i ordered four, one to leave at work and the other three for the cars. i like how much cover there is when it's open and how little space it needs folded. the sleeve is useful and everything feels well put together. even the way it opens seems sturdy compared with ones i've owned before. i would recommend it.
Gilbert Brock
I'm finding this umbrella very useful for shade.
I'm finding this umbrella very useful for shade. You see more people carrying one in sunshine now, and I can understand it. I'll probably get another for next summer. I'm forever loosing things like these, so I want something practical without spending too much. This suits me nicely, and it can handle rain as well.
Alan Meyer
Light enough for me and feels strong too.
Light enough for me and feels strong too. I was out with two friends last night when the wind and rain came on, and this one stayed in shape. The button to open is very nice, and the loop handle sits good in my hand :). It folds a little longer than my old umbrella, but I am liking the change.
Dale Gentry
- The coverage is good for a compact umbrella.
The walk to school can be quite windy, especially on the days when it rains, so I wanted an umbrella that felt more substantial than the cheap folding ones I had been using. Those were convenient until the weather actually got unpleasant. There are usually enough bent umbrellas around the bins afterwards to make me think I am not the only person with that problem. I spent a fair amount of time reading reviews before settling on this one. I considered getting a much larger umbrella, but realistically I wanted something I would put in my bag rather than leave at home. The combination of the folding size, the construction and the price was what eventually decided it for me.
After about three months of carrying and using it, I think it was a sensible choice. A few observations, since these were the things I wanted to know before buying it.
- The coverage is good for a compact umbrella. The description puts it at roughly 105cm across, and that seems about right without actually measuring it myself. There is enough room for my head and shoulders without having to hold the handle directly in front of my face. I would consider it a comfortable one-person umbrella, not something intended to shelter a group. Somebody could squeeze alongside you, but you would both have to cooperate. When rain comes in sideways, your lower legs can still get wet. I don't think a folding umbrella can reasonably solve that. Folded up, it fits in my bag, although it is not one of those tiny things you forget is there.
- It has dealt well with the wind I have encountered. I have felt gusts pushing against the canopy and seen the ribs give a little, but so far it hasn't turned inside out on me. That was my main concern. I wouldn't interpret this as meaning you should deliberately take it into any weather and expect nothing to happen. There is still a fairly broad surface catching the wind, and you feel that through your hand. Keeping it angled towards the rain makes a noticeable difference. What I like is that it doesn't immediately feel overwhelmed when the weather changes halfway through a walk. I have not needed to straighten anything or make adjustments afterwards.
- The construction feels substantial without making it awkward to use with one hand. There are thirty ribs according to the description, and looking underneath, the canopy does have a lot of support. The fabric seems securely attached, with no loose-looking areas on mine. I have looked over the points where it meets the frame because those were weak spots on umbrellas I used before. Nothing there has started pulling away. The shaft feels firm when extended, rather than giving me the impression that I need to be particularly delicate with it. I also like the closed oval handle. It is a different shape from the straight handles I am used to, but I can get a comfortable grip on it. The sleeve is useful for keeping everything together in my bag once the umbrella has dried. Getting it back inside is easier if I fold the fabric neatly first, which is fairly normal.
- The automatic action has been reliable. Pressing the button opens the umbrella promptly, and pressing it again collapses the canopy. You do still have to push the telescoping shaft back down yourself before it is ready for the next opening. That part is not automatic. I mention it because just looking at the button might give you the impression that the whole umbrella retracts by itself. On mine, the shaft presses down smoothly and locks at the bottom. There is some resistance, but it is a deliberate movement rather than something I have to fight with. I find the canopy closing especially convenient because I can bring it in before dealing with the rest of the folded umbrella.
There have been a few walks where I needed to hold it well forward against the rain instead of overhead. It still felt secure, although naturally my arm noticed the extra pressure. Afterwards I checked it over and couldn't see any change in the frame or the way the fabric sat. That is more reassuring to me than simply having an umbrella look sturdy when it first comes out of the packaging.
The end has acquired a few light surface scuffs from being put down. That is about the only visible wear I can point to, and it isn't something that bothers me on an item I carry around regularly.
Overall, I would recommend it to somebody wanting a reasonably compact umbrella that feels substantial in use. It has earned its place in my school bag. I may add some photographs later, particularly of the frame underneath, since that was difficult to judge from the listing alone.
Victoria Henry
Since then it has been my usual choice whenever it rains.
Eight years ago I took this umbrella on a walking tour of Canada, and it earned its place in my bag. There was some very wet weather and it was easy enough to carry between showers. Since then it has been my usual choice whenever it rains. The blue still feels cheerful on a dull day, which is a small thing but I appreciate it. It has been a dependable little companion, and after all the use I've had out of it I really can't complain about the cost.
Chloe Sanders
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Rated 4.8 out of 5
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Seven colours, one-touch open and close, a carabiner handle and an SPF 50+ lining.
