Umbrella - any good ones? (1 Viewer)

lewis20126

Well-known member

• Oct 8, 2012

• #1

I've not found an umbrella thread but maybe there is one!!

I'm after a fold away umbrella for foreign birding. I would like it to be high quality, fairly large diameter but be very compact when folded down. Strength in the wind is not a critical issue as wind should not be a problem. I'm in the UK so a UK source would be preferable but would go international for a good one.

Thanks for any advice on this rather obscure topic...

cheers, alan

 

lewis20126

Well-known member

• Oct 9, 2012

• #2

bump - must be some good brollies out there - don't be shy folks!

cheers, a

 

Andrew Whitehouse

Professor of Listening

Supporter

• Oct 9, 2012

• #3

I've bought one or two from outdoor shops (e.g. Blacks) that are very compact and easily carried in a large pocket or small rucksack. They're not particularly good for windy conditions but have been pretty effective in tropical downpours. I kept reasonably dry for a couple of hours under one in the Peruvian Amazon recently, although I wouldn't mind a slightly larger diameter one than what I have (being of relatively large diameter myself). I would just go along to an outdoor shop and see what they have - they're usually fairly inexpensive.

 

R

Robert_Scanlon

Well-known member

• Oct 9, 2012

• #4

Fulton Typhoon is a decent one, I had one in the Choco a couple of years ago and it did the job ok. Cost about £17 I think.

 

lewis20126

Well-known member

• Oct 9, 2012

• #5

Andrew, Robert

Thanks for your inputs to this thread! I'll do some more research - its the combination of large diameter with compact, fold-up nature that is elusive. The £2 ones from Tesco / Asda are compact but not large enough for a Choco soaking!

cheers, alan

 

George Edwards

Nom de plume

• Oct 9, 2012

• #6

I got a strong lightweight travel umbrella online from Rohan UK for £20. It's not collapsible but well made, strong (windproof) and lightweight and fits in a suitcase because it's missing the point and hook. Didn't think much of their clothes but the umbrella was a good buy for the tropics and even the mountains, and has never come close to flipping inside out, which is always a problem with those tiny ones.

 

RJM

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

• Oct 10, 2012

• #7

The Snowpeak UL umbrella is the smallest, lightest 8-ribbed umbrella I know of with a 1 meter diameter canopy. The ribs are made from carbon fiber too so it handles wind better than most of its peers.

 

P

paulsalmon

Active member

• Oct 16, 2012

• #8

Lightweight Brolly....

There is the GoLite brand, who make an excellent lightweight brolly, had mine for years. Until my son left it in the cinema one rainy afternoon. Another brand is MontBell. The ultra light weight camping shops online sell them.