What is the most-indestructible-yet-compact umbrella mankind has invented to date?

[yllus]

I'm tired of purchasing umbrellas at the mall that only get through a handful of rainstorms before a gust of wind takes 'er out. Surely out there on the Internet is an compact umbrella that will last a good decade or more.

I've done some initial Googling and so far have run into these interesting options:

Knirps X1

Senz Umbrellas

The Unbreakable Walking-Stick Umbrella (check out the video, it's incredible)

I'm likely going to go with the Windefyer Umbrella. Anyone have personal experiences with any uber-umbrellas?

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Update for March 23, 2011

Oddly enough, I have an update for this thread. I currently tote around a Davek Duet umbrella. I also have a Davek Solo which is also fantastic.

I got both at a discount - 33% and 50% - but even then they're rather up there in price. Still, I'd highly recommend the brand.

I'm also going to update the links and brands in the original post so they're not dead. Might as well help out others who come across the thread!

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Update for May 10, 2012

Still using my Davek Duet umbrella! My first one broke after about two years of use, at which point I sent it back in the original box and got a replacement using their "unconditional lifetime guarantee". (Cost me about $30 to ship their way, they sent it back for free.) I actually get compliments on the umbrella from coworkers and strangers, which is a bit surprising but gratifying considering the cost.

 

[KeithTalent]

Meh, I just buy cheap ones because I always end up forgetting them somewhere anyway.

KT

 

[Electric Amish]

Sorry, I never use umbrellas.

 

[Crono]

http://www.herringtoncatalog.com/es376.html

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

I read this pretty cool tip in a book somewhere if you ever need an umbrella. Just go into a resturaunt or a bar and ask to look in their lost & found for your "missing" umbrella. People leave them behind all the time apparently.

 

[sdifox]

Knirps x1 for really compact and durable. I had a Knirps automatic for close to 18 years. The fabric edge finally frayed and metal fatigue killed the hoop that holds the top together.

http://www.european-umbrellas.com/knirps/knirps.php

http://www.knirpsumbrellas.co.uk/

 

[aceO07]

I have 2 old manual totes umbrellas. They've very sturdy and only minor rust. They've been in use for at least a decade. Very minor rust and a bit of fabric has ripped, but still better shape then most umbrellas I see out during a rain storm. With some of them I wonder if the person just took it out of the trash. They're twisted or ripped or bent...

I'm not a big fan of automatics since it's usually more parts that could go wrong. I also hate the new styles. Some umbrellas don't even have a cover for the spokes

 

[Baked]

Rain bounces off my force shield.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

83 mph resistance enough?

Video

Edit: The other videos rock, where they demolish it.
First by using it as a parachute, then by firing an air cannon under it

 

[maddogchen]

avoid any umbrellas made in China.

my parents still have an umbrella from when they were dating many decades ago. Works fine. made in Japan. They don't built them like that no more though....

 

[mugs]

Does it need to be able to fit in your purse?

 

[torpid]

Senz looks pretty good but $100 for an umbrella??

 

[vshah]

Senz looks pretty good but $100 for an umbrella??

they tested it to 133km/h winds and it was fine. I'd pay for that. i just ordered one thanks to this thread

 

[coldmeat]

I hate people who use umbrellas. They don't think of where the edges are and I have to keep dodging them or get hit in the face.

 

[dr150]

Briggs baby!

http://www.classicluggage.com/gentlemen!s_umbrella26629.html

 

[dr150]

This one looks pretty good:

 

[magomago]

what i've noticed is that sometimes the backlash from super cheap crap products is that someone goes in and says 'lets make a really high quality one' and they charge a lot. But, like a user above pointed out - the older, pre-crap stuff, wasn't actually that bad, but the demand for cheaper goods resulted in lower quality goods.

 

[CPA]

83 mph resistance enough?

Video

Edit: The other videos rock, where they demolish it.
First by using it as a parachute, then by firing an air cannon under it

F That, I'm not paying $70 for an umbrella.

 

[Nik]

I was born in Oregon. Umbrellas are for pussies.

 

[sdifox]

holly fuck 2008 necro?

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

I'm tired of purchasing umbrellas at the mall that only get through a handful of rainstorms before a gust of wind takes 'er out. Surely out there on the Internet is an compact umbrella that will last a good decade or more.

I've done some initial Googling and so far have run into these interesting options:

Windefyer Umbrella by London Fog

ShedRain WindPro® Auto

The Unbreakable Walking-Stick Umbrella (check out the video, it's incredible)

I'm likely going to go with the Windefyer Umbrella. Anyone have personal experiences with any uber-umbrellas?

Get one made of dragon labia...

 

[oogabooga]

holly fuck 2008 necro?

I was like "how did the op post three dead links" before I checked the date ><

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Keep your umbrella pointed into the wind it's the direction all the waters coming from anyway. I've never had even cheap umbrellas break.

 

[Fritzo]

This guy makes some kick ass umbrellas:

 

[Minjin]

Shed Rain and Gustbuster are the two industry leaders. You can't go wrong with either.