The Best Compact Umbrella

Buying Guide

If you’ve ever been away from home when rain unexpectedly came rolling in, you know the value of a compact umbrella. Compact umbrellas are designed to slide into a purse, bag or the glove compartment of your car, at the ready whenever you need them.

There’s just one issue with compact umbrellas, though. Until recently, they’ve struggled to provide the same durability and coverage that their much larger counterparts offer. You may find, for instance, that some smaller umbrellas blow inside out as soon as the wind kicks up, leaving you with no coverage whatsoever from the rain above you.

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Coverage area is also an issue. A smaller umbrella has historically had a smaller canopy to match, which means that they aren’t adequate to cover you from head to toe in those stronger downpours. But in recent years, manufacturers have found ways to create an umbrella that folds down to a travel-friendly size while maximizing the canopy when it’s opened. If this is important to you, pay close attention to the measurements while folded and extended.

As for durability, umbrella manufacturers have made great strides here, as well. In recent years, you’ll find many larger umbrellas have built in extra ribs and multilayer canopies to resist the effects of wind. These enhanced features have made their way to portable umbrellas, as well, which means you no longer have to sacrifice quality for convenience.

You’ll also find water resistance built into many of today’s most popular umbrella brands. This is done through the use of products like Teflon, which force water to bead on the surface rather than soaking into the fabric. What does that mean for you? With a portable umbrella, it means you’ll be able to fold it up and carry it into a building without worrying about creating a puddle everywhere you go. If you choose to tuck it into a bag, it also eliminates the need to worry about soaking everything else in the bag.

• The size of the umbrella when folded is essential. Try to keep this as small as possible without sacrificing the features you need.
• Some umbrellas come with a cover that makes it easy to slide your umbrella inside for extra protection. Although this can keep you from creating a mess in the short term, it’s important to remove your umbrella from this casing once you’ve finished using it for the day. Allow it to air dry to avoid mold or mildew from building up.
• Many of today’s umbrellas build in a quick-release button. This means you can open it by merely pressing a button. Compared to the older manual version of sliding an umbrella open, this is much more convenient, especially when you’re trying to open it quickly as you’re leaving a building.
• Umbrellas are made up of ribs that help it hold its shape even when in harsher wind conditions. Look for one with strong ribs. Many umbrellas contain only seven or eight ribs. The more ribs you’re getting, the more support your umbrella will have.
• The material of the umbrella comes into play in your umbrella’s performance, as well. Look for one that has Teflon coating to ensure the water doesn’t soak in, causing a soggy mess that takes all day to dry.
• The handle is also important. One that’s comfortable to hold and features nonslip coating will help ensure it stays in your hand while you’re in tough weather conditions.
• Despite promises, you may find some portable umbrellas have an open button that doesn’t work quite as it should, or the material is thinner than you expected. Pay close attention to the specs to make sure you’re getting what you think you are.