The travel umbrella is ubiquitous with city dwellers. They need something small and portable that they can carry anywhere and that can protect them from the rain. The travel umbrella is the obvious solution, but it also has its drawbacks. For every advantage this kind of umbrella has, there are disadvantages that cannot be overlooked.
For instance, a travel umbrella is small and compact and can fit into most handbags, satchels or briefcases. But once the umbrella becomes wet, it’s hard to pack into a bag or case like normal. It could ruin paperwork or the case itself and create a mess that no one wants to deal with.
Thankfully, some inventive designers have come up with some ways to take the disadvantages of the travel umbrella and fix them, so that it is obviously superior to the much larger conventional umbrella that’s not so small and portable. We are going to look at some of those innovations here so that you can make an informed decision as to whether you want a travel umbrella or not and what kind of features your umbrella might need to have.
The Dampness Problem
Instead of soaking your bag when you put your travel umbrella back inside, you can enjoy an umbrella that’s practically water free. How is that possible? Thanks to the technology of Teflon, the umbrella will actually repel water and come out of the rain almost completely dry. There may still be some slight water, but that will soon dry up, and simply shaking off the umbrella after each use is often enough to make it safe to put back into the bag.
You should know that not every travel umbrella utilizes this technology, so if it’s important to you that you be able to safely store your umbrella back into your purse or other bag, then you may want to specifically seek out a Teflon coated umbrella.
The Coverage Problem
There is another issue that people run into when they use a travel umbrella. They open it up and because it is so small, it can only cover them slightly. It may work okay if there is rain but no wind, because if the wind picks up, it will blow the rain at an angle and a small umbrella won’t be able to do much for the person using it. Most smaller umbrellas are buffeted by the wind so much that they sway from side to side and provide little coverage in strong winds.
However, there are many travel umbrellas now that are made from very durable resin fortified fiberglass. This incredibly powerful material won’t bend and sway in the wind like other umbrellas would. It holds fast and provides the user with maximum coverage and stability, offering unparalleled protection against the elements.
The problem with coverage from a small umbrella isn’t the small size, in most cases, but how its small coverage is buffeted around in high winds, making it practically useless. With a sturdier support structure, however, coverage is no longer a problem.
The Weight Problem
Many travel umbrellas are simply too hefty. They have a lot of weight to them because they are heavy duty and are made to last. That can be convenient for those people who already have a lot of things to carry with them. This is another problem that has been overcome by using the latest technology.
The modern travel umbrella is sleek and lightweight, with most only weighing about a pound. That’s very convenient for those who are encumbered by numerous items already, and consumers should be watching out for the weight when they buy this kind of umbrella. Not all of them will be made of sturdy, lightweight materials, but those that are offer a great value proposition. They can handle some abuse and stand up to harsh winds, but at the same time, they will be practically weightless inside a bag or satchel.
Ultimately, you need to consider what kind fog umbrella you want and what features are worth paying for. The best umbrella to travel with may be a bit more expensive than your average umbrella, but it can be worth it for the upgrades it comes with.
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