If you live in a rainy climate, investing in a dependable high-quality umbrella is probably worth it. The Davek Elite Umbrella has a waterfall-shaped canopy, which is made of dense 210-thread-count fabric and treated with a water-repellent coating. The umbrella has a reliable windproof frame, and the slim handle is wrapped in genuine top-grain leather. The metal tip is an elegant touch. If style is your thing, but you don't want the clear bubble look, consider umbrellas like the SY Compact Automatic, which comes in an array of patterns and colors. Comfort-driven EVA cushion grip handle for a comfortable hand feel and a slip-free grip; Includes a wrist strap for convenience on-the-go, and a matching self-fabric case with snap on swivel hook so you can attach it to a belt loop, a bag, or a suitcase A great, compact alternative is the Repel Windproof Travel. With high construction quality and versatility scores, the Repel is sturdy and reliable despite its more complicated, compact design as compared to the EuroSCHIRM.

You can exchange products you have received as a gift subject to our exchange and return policies. READ ABOUT OUR RETURN POLICY HERE. WHAT IF MY UMBRELLA BREAKS? Criteria: The most important thing an umbrella has to do is keep you dry, but not just that — we’ve lost many an umbrella to a gale-force wind, or simply left one at home because it was too bulky for the work bag. In addition to judging dryness, we also took into account an umbrella’s wind performance and comfort (encompassing its weight and portability as well). And while we appreciate a nice-looking umbrella, we do think for most people, looks are less important, so we rated each umbrella’s aesthetic on a less heavily weighted scale of one to three. This is the quintessential umbrella. When closed, it's around 3 feet long—hard to store in a bag. The curved handle is exceptional, made of top-grain leather, and you get a nice button that tastefully opens the umbrella up (it closes manually). You're getting high-end materials through and through. The frame system is made of "wind-tension" fiberglass, the shaft is also fiberglass, and the canopy is among the largest in this guide, with a 44-inch diameter. It's meant for one, but it had no trouble sheltering my partner and me from the elements. When choosing an umbrella, you want one that’s easy to hold, especially when it’s wet. The handle should always have a comfortable grip and fit comfortably in your hand. Handles are made from a variety of materials—wood, cork, leather, and rubber—and rubber-coated handles and cork handles offer the best grip even when wet. Jason Sullivan from Certain Standard says cork is a sustainable option, too. “Not only do cork handles feel great in your hand, but we wanted to consider an eco-friendly option. Cork can be harvested from the bark of a cork tree without cutting the tree down, so we aren’t damaging the trees.” Comfort (1 to 5): How onerous does the umbrella feel? Is it comfortable to hold or does it make our hand cramp? How smoothly does it open and close? How easy would it be tote around?Eight Strong Ribs: Make sure there are at least eight ribs and that the ribs are made of some type of fiberglass—it's a flexible and sturdy material, so it'll fare better resisting high winds. It's even better if the shaft is made of fiberglass, too.

We love the timeless design of this umbrella, but since you can’t stash it in your bag, it may be easy to forget and leave behind. The Prostorm Vented Travel Umbrella is pretty remarkable for the money—it's leagues better than the similarly priced models you'll find in corner stores on rainy days. The fiberglass and steel frame feels slightly more robust, especially since it has nine ribs to support the canopy than the usual eight. It has a deeper dome than you'd expect for better protection, and the open/close mechanism works well, though you sometimes have to shake the umbrella to let it fully extend out. It's double-vented with a 38-inch canopy that feels spacious for one person. My only gripe is the handle—the rubberized material feels nice (it comes with a strap!), but it's tiny in my large hands. This might not be an issue if your paws aren't as ginormous as mine (I'm 6'4"). Inch Canopy or Larger: Unless you're going for something ultra-small like the Davek Mini, you ideally want a canopy with a 38-inch diameter or more to keep most of your body dry.

The Rain-Mate Compact Travel Umbrella has nine reinforced fiberglass ribs and a metal frame, making it sturdy enough to handle strong winds and heavy rain. In fact, those reinforced ribs are designed to act as a failsafe in the face of winds, preventing the umbrella from flipping inside out so you can stay dry during gusts. Even though it’s petite in size, it offers substantial coverage; we’re a fan of the 42-inch canopy, which comfortably protects users and their belongings. Wind Resistance (1 to 5): Did the umbrella flip inside out? Did it strain under the pressure? Was it vented to let air blow through?

We spent a lot of time exploring what made each product harder or easier to use and eventually found ourselves drifting toward certain ones for various reasons. Ultimately, umbrellas just aren't very user-friendly to begin with, as they require one hand, sometimes two, and once you add a coffee cup to the mix for your morning stroll, convenience isn't always a given. The Prostorm Vented Travel Umbrella is a pretty impressive option for the modest price. The fiberglass and steel frame is sturdier than comparably priced options, and the nine-rib canopy offers exceptional support. The deep 46-inch arc diameter offers more dome depth than most umbrellas, and it is designed to give you more coverage and wind resistance than a flatter one. The double-vented canopy allows wind to blow through, which thwarts the umbrella from turning inside out without letting the rain in. The auto open/close is extremely smooth, and the special ratchet shaft allows you to pull it down in stages, for a safer reset. For California Residents Only: WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov I’M LOOKING FOR A PARTICULAR SHEDRAIN STYLE BUT CAN’T FIND IT Golf umbrellas are designed to protect golfers and their equipment from the sun and rain. The extra width and depth allow for greater rain protection. They’re also big enough to share the canopy with another person. The G4Free Golf Umbrella is technically a golf umbrella, but it’s suitable for use by non-golfers, too. The 62-inch double canopy is vented to allow wind to blow through making the umbrella easier to handle, and the 210-thread count fabric is lightweight and water-resistant. Impressively large for a compact umbrella, the Davek kept me mostly dry (although some wayward-traveling rain did seep in), leaving me a little unsure this could live up to its promise of keeping two people totally protected. In the wind, the steel ribs creaked a bit, but I never felt like the umbrella was at risk of turning inside out or breaking. Where the Duet truly excels is its sturdy feel, effortless open-close mechanism, and sleek style. The leather wrist strap was an especially nice touch. — K.I.A.The chic, compact Balios Double Canopy is a very well-made and durable model. It's evident that Balios designed this umbrella with careful attention to the finer details. Its ergonomic handle feels nice in hand and is quite good-looking, lending it a timeless appearance that will complement a wide variety of wardrobe styles. The canopy is impressively large for a compact model, which means it's both fashionable and functional. In addition to being on the longer and heavier side of the spectrum, the materials used aren't the most confidence-inducing as far as long-term use goes. The hook handle is made of plastic, and the ribs are quite thin. Ease of use also isn't particularly high with this model, as the manual slide can easily pinch the hands. Still, the totes Clear Bubble is good for casual use to and from your destinations, and we appreciate its fun and useful style. Larger than the average umbrella, but not as large as a golf umbrella, Certain Standard’s The Large Umbrella offers plenty of coverage in downpours. Seattle residents are very familiar with rain, and Seattle brand Certain Standard is about creating high-quality products that are as beautiful as they are functional. The 46-inch canopy comfortably covers you—and maybe a friend—while the lightweight frame easily glides open and closed. It’s built for storms light and heavy, offering key versatility in an umbrella you’re sure to reach for again and again. The soft-grip handle and auto open-and-close button are convenient additions to the umbrella’s on-the-go design, and it comes with a lightweight storage case. Just note that the mechanism is so easy to use that the umbrella can close on itself! It’s not enough of an issue to affect the overall convenience and protection of the design, though. We love that it comes in fun colors like light rose, Coolibar blue, silver/green, and aqua/metallic, too. A great option for those wanting extra room or coverage that can be easily shared with another person

For players who haven't invested in one yet, there are a few factors they will want to consider. "What makes a good umbrella is the size of the canopy (the larger, the better), preferably over 60 inches," says Wesley J. Forester, PGA Director of Golf at Reynolds Lake Oconee. A double canopy is also an important feature. "The overlapping canopies allow wind to pass through the umbrella, so it does not collapse," Forester adds. "They reduce the feeling of a parachute as the wind lifts you up." Looks (1 to 3): Does the handle look elegant or cheap? Is the hardware sophisticated? Would you be embarrassed to be seen with it?

The Best Umbrellas, at a Glance

What sets the ShedRain apart from its competition is its reverse-closing style — the umbrella folds up inside out, keeping water off you when you’re carrying it closed. It’s a great feature for when you’re coming in from outside and don’t want to put down or hang up a soaking wet umbrella. The ShedRain also did a solid job of keeping me dry while I was using it, and the single button that opens and closes the umbrella was easy to use. — K.I.A. Vented double canopy provides superior wind resistance and withstands any windy, stormy, or rainy conditions without inverting or breaking; Teflon coated fabric canopy is waterproof and resists damage from harsh wind, storms, and UV sunlight Materials matter as well. Gregory R. Bisconti, PGA Head Golf Professional at The Saint Andrew's Golf Club in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, suggests players seek out umbrellas made from lightweight components like fiberglass and nylon. "It's important to keep the weight manageable to carry," he says.