collapsible umbrellas

[Guest]

Can anyone say which are the best collapsible umbrellas? There are a few problems here. First, the best umbrella manufacturers do not necessarily make the best collapsible umbrellas. Second, I was going to order from Talarico but their shipping cost is almost as expensive as the cost of the umbrellas, and my Italian is too egregious to work this out with them.

[RWS]

I've always been pleased with telescoping umbrellas made by Knirps (a German firm, manufacturing in, I think, both Germany and Canada); generally, I have one for five or ten years before misplacing or losing it. And I've generally been disappointed by various nameless Chinese-made umbrellas (if one lasts a year before breaking, it's extraordinary). Doubtless, other telescoping umbrellas, of middling quality, exist; but I don't know of them.

[BirdofSydney]

I'm a fan of the very old school British rolled umbrella look, if it even looks like it might rain. Black with a heavy wooden handle, for preference. I am yet to run across any particularly fine umbrellas, there are plenty with beautiful handles (I like the mallard ducks) but most have relatively flimsy vinyl uppers. Until I find one that's satisfactory, I shall stick to plain black.

As far as folding umbrellas go, they will never really be a style statement, so I suppose find something that's a good size and won't break...

Regards,

Eden

[tteplitzmd]

While not collapsing, I own andfavor the Brigg travel umbrella (illustrated in the first Flusser book). It fits diagonally in my Globe-Trotter "one-off" suitcase. It has a wooden shaft and wooden handle, and once assembled, cannot readily be distinguished from its one piece cousins. Of course, I am 5'6" and it might be bit short for someone of taller stature.

[Will]

I also endorse the Brigg travel umbrella. There's on in my suitcase at all times.

[Cliff]

I have a Brigg collapsable umbrella and while nicely done, it cannot compare to the Knirps Fibertech-automatic. The Knirps can be turned inside-out and are built very strongly. I have owned one for two years now and have just ordered and received another. They can be seen and purchased at the site below - this site also shows a video of how they can be turned inside out and returned to normal functioning

http://www.european-umbrellas.com/

[Phil]

My only beef with travel umbrellas is that they never seem big enough to keep me dry. So I just buck up and carry a full-sized rolled umbrella no matter what the circumstances.

[exigent]

I do not mean to be unkind (literally), but a gentleman cannot look swell in one of those bloody extendable umbrellas! As other club members have stated, Brigg makes a terrific traveling model, which breaks down into three parts easily stowed. Or you might announce your intent by simply carrying a full mast Brigg or Smith solid enough to use as a weapon...in a pinch. I travel with either a Brigg Whanghee-handle umbrella or with my solid hickory, which is also a Brigg (both are now over fifteen years old and still going strong). There is a kind of perverse pleasure that one gets from lugging along so perfectly useful an object, while the all-round clueless "casual" masses get by with flip-flops, baseball caps and windbreakers rotten with brand name pronouncements. Invest in something from either Brigg or Smith that fits your advanced sensibilities. And if a small extendable is still necessary for certain odd situations, then I suggest that you drop all of twenty dollars on a lightweight device from either Magellan's or another of the travel companies. This way, you will at least receive something ultra-light and therefore convenient. Anything over a pound and you might as well have a proper gentleman's accessory at your side.