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?

1. Something strong, light, and small — maybe inspiration from trekking poles for the main pole?
2. A good grip that I can hang onto, without getting a sore/cramped hand
3. Wind billow/”Gust Buster” design of some sort to ensure that it doesn’t flip inside out/break in the wind
4. Double/triple fold so that the folded product is nice and small
5. Push to expand AND retract. Ideally all the way down (although I don’t know how technically feasible that is)
6. 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.