Recycled Golf Size Vented Canopy Umbrella with Auto Open Technology

Update: 11 years later, we are still together and going strong! I work at a California prison, which means walking miles outside daily, in the middle of a nowhere valley, where the wind whips in every different direction & rain blows diagonally, not vertically. When it rains, the wind is worse and the average life expectancy of an umbrella is one or two wind bursts. I have gone through dozens of umbrellas. I have bought "guaranteed" umbrellas in the past but they still turn inside out and break. I finally decided to try a vented umbrella but prison regulations do not allow an umbrella with the long tip, like most vented umbrellas have. I finally found this one on Amazon and so far so good. This umbrella is BIG but not cumbersome. It is very sturdy and when the wind was whipping in every which direction, it handled it well and I wasn't worried it would flip inside out like every other one I have used. The first day I used my umbrella, I had 5 compliments -"that's a really nice umbrella!" which is goofy but just exemplifies how desirable a sturdy, functional umbrella is in our work environment. I gave several people item specs so they could also order this umbrella. I don't like having to spend this type of money on an umbrella when so many have failed in the past but if it makes it through one or two rainy seasons, it is well worth the money. One drawback - it is a bit heavy. Read more

2nd one I bought (lost the first one, not due to breakage). This is a great umbrella. Good size, gives plenty of cover for two. Wind vents keep the flaps down under everything but the craziest wind gusts. Its a bit heavy and doesn't fit in your backpack without sticking out, but I prefer this folks away design to the cane style umbrellas, and I feel its built better. Read more

This is the best umbrella! Big, sturdy, doesn't flip inside out in the wind, easy to open and close, and has a comfortable handle. It's a bit heavier, so it can be tiring if you're carrying a lot and trying to hold the umbrella as well, or lugging it around with you after the rain stops. It is also pretty long when closed - doesn't fit in my backpack or most purses. Still my favorite umbrella. Read more

I bought this product in mid-January and used it for the first time in mid-April (no rain until that time). The first occasion when it was used was not a tornado, just a regular rain with some wind blasts. When I got home, the metal rod connected to the handle was bent, and the umbrella refused to close. Amazon refused to accept a return because too much time (three months) had passed since the purchase. The Totes "lifetime warranty" require me to pay for shipping and enclose a check for $5 for "return shipping and handling". So, one has to pay twice to exchange one lousy product for another one, likely equally lousy. Stay away from umbrellas (and, given the warranty experience, from any products) by Totes. And never buy any umbrellas from Amazon during Winter months. Read more

I've actually purchased this twice because my first one was 'borrowed' forever by my sister. This is a solid umbrella that when collapsed is just about 20.5" long. When opened the canopy is large and has a great handle with good grip. Here in NYC lots of people buy the cheap $5 street umbrellas but those things will disintegrate in a large gust or a collision. Don't lose or let people borrow this and it'll last you longer and keep you dryer. Read more

This umbrella was slightly larger than I thought but that was my mistake. I love this umbrella. it's a little heavy, but that also means it is very sturdy. It held up well in the wind on a blustery day in Washington, DC and it covered me really well. It doesn't exactly fit in your purse (unless you carry a huge purse) but I have a small, flimsy, travel umbrella for that. This is good for everyday use going back and forth to work. Read more

Be warned, as you walk outside into the pouring rain, and click the button with your thumb to effortlessly release your compact umbrella into a James Bond-esk canopy to release enough cover for you, your bag, and the beautiful girl from class, you may be pined with envy. Seriously though, I love this umbrella. I've had it since 2014 (wrote this 12/16) The opening and closing acton is so satisfyingly smooth. It's compact yet huge. Invincible to wind and a total steal for price. I love this umbrella so much that I've taken it to Europe twice, Mexico 3 times, all over the US, and survived daily use for two monsoon seasons in Arizona! Edit 4/4/19: add bouncing around the trunk, two months in Asia, two months in Guatemala, hail, snow, rain, 50mph pelting rain at 10,000 feet on a volcano, backpacking, checked bags, dive boats, a light gnawing by a pomeranian, and used as a club in a back alley skirmish... yet it still opens flawlessly. Best umbrella ever. Read more

I love this umbrella! Yes, it is HUGE, but because I hate getting rained on, this is the only umbrella that is big enough to keep me completely dry. I'm 5'2'' and 100 lbs, so I'm not a big person, but normal sized umbrellas just can't block the rain completely, even less so if it's rainy and windy. I'd say this is big enough to decently cover 3 people my size, or 2 people if walking side by side. It is double vented and very sturdy. My only con for this product is that it's heavier than I'd like to have to carry around, especially if I'm out shopping or running errands. If it ever need another umbrella, I would definitely purchase this again. Read more