Hiking with an Umbrella

[Bubba]

I was thankful to have one on my last backpacking trip when I had to answer nature's call.

[snapper_hh]

I think they are actually in the range of 45 USD with shipping. The issue is, that I ordered them back in germany, where there is no shipping charge. But at least the medium sized hiking umbrella is made by the same manufacturer as the golite one, which is 24.99 USD in their online store.
The issue is the non collapsible handle though, which actually sticks out from my ULA CDT pack - so depending on your pack you might rather want a collapsible one.

Of note is the diameter once opened up. The one with 39.4 in / 100 cm diameter is way better in keeping you and most of your pack dry. Any Diameter below that will keep part of the rain away, but your pack and your arms will get wet.

[Linkster]

This is an interesting idea. I definitely like having my hands free for my trekking poles. I am sure it worked for them, I just don't know if it is the right fit for me.

[krshome]

I saw that article a while back and was amped on trying an umbrella for backpacking. Thank god I didn't buy one! This weekend the family and I went on a short day hike and we knew it was going to rain. I grabbed a cheap small travel umbrella and off we went. Well it poured and the umbrella worked, well like an umbrella. The problem i found was if you hike in the wood it's going to hit every tree limb hanging over the trail. Not worth it for the east coast IMO. I did notice in the article now he was hiking where there was no trees.

[fallkniven]

[jlink79]

I see you and raise

[krshome]

That reminds me of the TV show from the eighties called Square Pegs.

[Dos]

so....I watched the video again today.
Definitely decided I didn't want a collapsible one.

Went to order one off of the Blunt site with the coupon from the video (nutnfancy).
I called customer service.
She generated a new code since that one expired.
Got $20 off plus free shipping.

Totally stoked!

caveat: have to agree with krshome about an umbrella hitting every branch on the East Coast.
but I am going to give it a go!

[Nighthauk]

I have done two hikes with a golite Crome dome. I got to say I am digging it. We had on and off rain for a couple of hours. When it stopped raining everyone started overheating so the stopped took off the packs and then their rain jackets put their packs back on and started again. When it started to rain they reversed the process. I was able to reach back to my circuit pull out the umbrella and deploy it without stopping. I put the handle behind my sternum strap and the little grip tie out behind a shoulder strap and it stayed there as I continued to hike still using both trekking poles. When it stopped raining I was able to collapse and stow it away without missing a beat. I did have to worry about some branches but not much.

[Rolloff]

I won't sacrifice my rain gear, especially in cooler weather, pulls too much double duty, but on summer hikes the umbrella works better for me.