Good made in the US compact umbrella?

Noctis3880

Noctis3880

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Jul 22, 2009
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My last umbrella met with a traffic sign and tore a rib, which is just as well given the rusted wires. I've been looking for a new umbrella from a Totes titanium reinforced umbrella to a Shedrain Pro fiberglass umbrella, though none of the reviews seem to be consistently positive.

Not sure if titanium or fiberglass does anything for an umbrella, so I figure something that's made in the USA or at least someplace other than china would be a good bet.

Needs to be compact(retractable). Single color black, blue, or camo. Needs some level of wind resistance. I know of some vented designs, but I hear those can allow rain to leak in strong winds. I don't expect to use this in a hurricane, though it would be nice if I couldn't turn the thing inside out with a good jerk downwards as I ruined the one I got from Sharper Image that way.
 
Sorry, my daughter has a nice purple umbrella with princesses on it but I don't know anyone else who uses one. Why not just get a nice North Face Gore-Tex parka and bundle up?
 
Because my pants would still be soaked good? I find even a small umbrella is good enough to keep most of it dry.
 
I've got a little London Fog retractable. It's a decent compact and still works like new after a few years. However, I've yet to find a compact umbrella that can withstand anything like a real wind gust. I usually use golf umbrellas and my favorite is called the Windjammer IIRC. Now that will keep you dry and won't break in serious weather. As far as compacts go, I would check REI, Cabela's, or maybe BassPro. Good luck. Let us know what you find.
 
Not sure about if it's USA made, but it's designed in the US. Check out the Gust Buster Metro.
 
Wow!

The Blunt storm resistant umbrella impresses me. I may have to check out if they are available in the U.S. When it's raining cats and dogs, and the wonder corgi has to go, my Wilson golf umbrella is good, but I've had it turn inside out with a strong gust of wind.

Carl.
 
The blunt sounds nice, though it doesn't seem like they have a compact version. Of course, it might just be a limitation of engineering that a solid wind resistant umbrella can't be put into a compact package(too many additional moving parts).
 
jackknife said:
Wow!

The Blunt storm resistant umbrella impresses me. I may have to check out if they are available in the U.S. When it's raining cats and dogs, and the wonder corgi has to go, my Wilson golf umbrella is good, but I've had it turn inside out with a strong gust of wind.

Carl.
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Glad to be of service my good sir! Really is a marvel of engineering know-how applied to a fairly common annoyance. And as its name implies, the end tips are blunted for added safety too.

Wish they could combine that feature with the "Unbreakable" Self-Defense umbrella. I imagine that would be the umbrella for EDC.
 
Trek and Victorinox come to mind. Not sure how good they are, but you might fine some reviews at camping stores like REI, Campmor, or others.
Good luck.
 
Couldn't find much on the trex, though Victorinox had some pretty bad reviews. I'll go with the blunt lite since it's lighter and comes with a wrist strap for an extra secure grip.
 
Used the blunt lite once(damn sky never rains when I have my umbrella), and I have some mixed feelings about it. For one, I don't think the wind tunnel test on YouTube was a fair one given that even the cheapest umbrella won't break with the umbrella turned towards the wind. There was a moderate gust that grabbed my umbrella(perpendicular to the ground), dragged it sideways, and promptly turned it inside out. To its credit, it didn't break from that(the cheaper ones will snap a rib or have the cloth torn from the rib at that point. Though it does seem like the thing flexes more easily due to the polycarbonate construction, which I feel would make it more prone to flipping inside out. Works fine as an umbrella that doesn't poke people's eyes out or catch on things(handled some obnoxiously overgrown bushes and traffic signs well). Doesn't seem to handle wind any better than the next umbrella.
 
Noctis3880 said:
Used the blunt lite once (damn sky never rains when I have my umbrella), and I have some mixed feelings about it. For one, I don't think the wind tunnel test on YouTube was a fair one given that even the cheapest umbrella won't break with the umbrella turned towards the wind. There was a moderate gust that grabbed my umbrella(perpendicular to the ground), dragged it sideways, and promptly turned it inside out. To its credit, it didn't break from that(the cheaper ones will snap a rib or have the cloth torn from the rib at that point. Though it does seem like the thing flexes more easily due to the polycarbonate construction, which I feel would make it more prone to flipping inside out. Works fine as an umbrella that doesn't poke people's eyes out or catch on things(handled some obnoxiously overgrown bushes and traffic signs well). Doesn't seem to handle wind any better than the next umbrella.
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Thanks for the user's info! Actual use really puts it into perspective.

LOL! I just had to highlight a part of your post: you're the latest casualty of the paranormal conundrum that is the "HUJ,WNR Phenomenon" (Have Umbrella/Jacket, Will Not Rain)!
 
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