When you’re traveling, unexpected rain can dampen your spirits and your clothes. A reliable travel umbrella is an essential accessory for any trip, whether you’re navigating city streets or exploring nature trails. But with so many options available, how do you choose the Best Travel Umbrella for your needs? We’ve reviewed a range of travel umbrellas, testing them for wind resistance, portability, and coverage to help you make the right choice.
A vibrant display of various travel umbrellas, showcasing different colors and designs, tested for wind resistance and portability in 2016.
Top Picks for Wind Resistance
For travelers who frequently encounter windy conditions, a sturdy, wind-resistant umbrella is paramount. The Blunt Metro stands out in this category. Its unique, scalloped canopy design is engineered to withstand strong gusts, performing better in wind tests than any other umbrella we evaluated. However, it’s worth noting that its shallow shape can compromise rain protection in sideways rain.
Another contender known for its wind durability is the GustBuster Metro. This umbrella boasts a robust construction with multiple ribs and springs, designed to prevent inversion. While it proved incredibly resilient in wind tests, it can feel top-heavy and less manageable in strong winds, especially with its hard-plastic handle that can become slippery when wet.
Compact and Portable Travel Umbrellas
If space and weight are major concerns, a compact travel umbrella is the ideal choice. The Davek Mini is designed for ultimate portability, folding down to a remarkably small size, comparable to a banana. While its original 26-inch canopy was quite small, the redesigned 34-inch canopy offers improved coverage, making it a great option for travelers prioritizing minimal bulk.
The EuroSchirm Light Trek is another lightweight option, weighing in at just 9.25 ounces. Its light fiberglass ribs contribute to its low weight, but they also make it less wind-resistant compared to sturdier models. It’s a decent choice for less windy locations where portability is key, though it may show wear and tear more quickly than more robust umbrellas.
Best Coverage for Two
For travelers who often find themselves sharing an umbrella, the Davek Duet offers generous coverage. With a large 48-inch canopy, it provides ample shelter for two people, yet it remains relatively compact when folded and weighs under 1.5 pounds. While its size might be more than some individuals need, it’s an excellent choice for couples, taller individuals, or anyone prioritizing maximum rain protection.
The Knirps Xtreme Vented Duomatic also offers a substantial 48-inch canopy in a travel-sized automatic umbrella. It provides excellent coverage without the need for a full-size stick umbrella. However, its larger size when open might be excessive for solo travelers seeking a more compact option.
Unique and Stylish Options
For those seeking an umbrella with a distinctive design, the Senz Automatic presents a unique teardrop shape. This asymmetrical canopy is designed to provide better shoulder and back coverage compared to traditional round umbrellas. However, the rear-facing ribs were found to be somewhat fragile in testing, requiring careful handling.
The Totes Signature Clear Bubble Umbrella offers a different kind of unique style with its bubble canopy. The design aims to create a personal dome of protection. However, the extra surface area of the bubble shape can make it harder to manage in windy conditions, and the canopy width isn’t as expansive as similarly sized stick umbrellas.
Considerations for Durability and Value
While some umbrellas prioritize specific features like wind resistance or portability, others focus on overall durability and value. The Bodyguard Inverted Umbrella, initially popular for its 10-rib construction, demonstrated decent wind performance in tests. However, its sturdiness made it difficult to flip back after inverting. A redesigned 12-rib version is now available, but it has not been tested.
The EuroSchirm Light Trek Automatic and EuroSchirm Light Trek Automatic Flashlite versions offer automatic opening mechanisms and a flashlight feature, respectively. However, these additions increase weight without significantly improving performance compared to the base EuroSchirm Light Trek model.
The Totes Blue Line Auto Open/Close Umbrella suffered from quality issues in testing, arriving with a damaged canopy that worsened in wind. This model appears to be discontinued, suggesting potential durability concerns.
The Tumi Medium Auto Close Umbrella, while positioned as a premium option, did not particularly excel in any of our tests, offering average performance without standing out despite its higher price.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Best Travel Umbrella
Selecting the best travel umbrella depends on your individual travel needs and priorities. For maximum wind resistance, the Blunt Metro is a top performer. If portability is paramount, the Davek Mini is incredibly compact. For generous coverage, the Davek Duet or Knirps Xtreme Vented Duomatic are excellent choices. Consider your typical travel conditions and desired features to find the perfect travel umbrella to keep you dry and comfortable on your next adventure.
