Let’s not beat around the bush; umbrellas generally suck. For a relatively complex invention, we’ve reduced it to its most basic, pathetic version when we’re buying one for $5 on a street corner in New York, only to have it snap in half a block away and have to buy a new one 5 minutes later. What would form your ideal/most perfect umbrella?
- Something strong, light, and small — maybe inspiration from trekking poles for the main pole?
- A good grip that I can hang onto, without getting a sore/cramped hand
- Wind billow/”Gust Buster” design of some sort to ensure that it doesn’t flip inside out/break in the wind
- Double/triple fold so that the folded product is nice and small
- Push to expand AND retract. Ideally all the way down (although I don’t know how technically feasible that is)
- Actually waterproof material. Too many umbrellas start leaking (especially around the central point) once they’ve been rained on a lot
What else would make your perfect umbrella? Can someone get right on it and Kickstarter this thing plz? Kthxbai 🙂
* Image from here.
Take a look at this: http://www.brookstone.com/super-size-umbrella-black
Probably not as small as you want (they have a smaller version available) but I think it fits most of your criteria. I love mine.
Looks pretty good, although it has a bunch of negative reviews on that page. Wonder if I can try one out somewhere. Thanks for the tip!
Some kind of wrist holder so we can still use our phones and their touch screen when holding an umbrella!
Check these ones out http://www.senzumbrellas.com.au
The WireCutter has a decent write-up on umbrellas. I looked at them last week, but still haven’t ordered.