View Full Version : ultra lite unbrella recommendations
Go lite crome dome, go lite collapseable, mont bell?
Wise Old Owl
08-01-2012, 23:57
ahh you found a little frustration of mine,,, I like the idea but already use hiking poles. In the past I would look for ways to attach the mini umbrella to the pack or pole... eventually I gave up got a UL robbins trucker hat and poncho. With hiking with Rugby - it has to be almost hands free, poles have to attach to the pack somehow and you will want the same for the umbrella. It needs to lock to the frame less pack somehow.
With one famous UL'er the Umbrella is the tent!
http://www.mistercoolz.com/wp-content/gallery/backpack-umbrella-holder/img_20120527_154558.jpg
Non collapsible. Simpler is better.
chiefduffy
08-02-2012, 05:00
Montbell. Strapped to my pack with a tiny bungee cord.
ekeverette
08-02-2012, 05:53
i bought the golite umbrella, it's nice and very light, but i didnt use it, because when your trecking up a trail it basiclly gets in your way. get a good ultra light rain coat like driducks, because youre going to get wet, and if you use trecking poles youre going to need them for the slippery conditions...... just my humble advice. it may work great for you..... good luck...
A jacket might work great for most people, but it's no fun when wearing eyeglasses. An umbrella totally changes hiking in the rain. My glasses don't get wet or fogged up, and can use my camera. It can also be used like a vestibule/dodger. The Chrome Dome is great when there aren't any clouds or trees too.
I'm too uncoordinated to hike holding one arm up in the air and hike at the same time.
I can, however, walk and chew gum. :)
bamboo bob
08-02-2012, 07:26
I used a golite as a sun umbrella on the pct but mainly on breaks where there was no shade.
Dollar store umbrellas are incredibly light... and cheap.
RedBeerd
08-02-2012, 09:23
Birdiepal swing liteflex is a great umbrella. Really strong and 7.8oz i believe. Dont use it much but its nice to have when i need it. Its nice and big too.
trippclark
08-02-2012, 09:28
Go lite crome dome, go lite collapseable, mont bell?
I like the GoLite chrome dome umbrella. It repels water better than the regular dome umbrella. It has a non-metal construction so it has a little more give to bend rather than snap (though it can snap). While I agree with some who have commented that it is less than perfect to have to hold up the umbrella in one hand and have a trekking pole in the other, I find that any discomfort this presents is much less than the discomfort of sweating in a rain jacket or poncho. I also have a collapsible umbrella by Mountainsmith. I sometimes carry this in a day pack on day trips because it fits better, however, I think that the collapsible design just gives another failure point, which is why I do not use this type for backpacking. I will also add that while my umbrella is the key part of my rain protection system while hiking, I do carry a dri-ducks rain jacket for use in camp when both hands are needed for cooking and set up. The dri-ducks jacket pulls double duty as a wind break/insulation layer.
Wise Old Owl
08-02-2012, 09:53
Bamboo Bob do you carry it or figured out how to attach it?
Tacky Hiker
08-21-2012, 19:12
golite seems to have a nice one and a great price !
I have a Golite umbrella, and a collection of collapsible umbrellas from various sources. All work fine. I leave one of the collapsible ones in my daypack, and strap the golite to the side of my pack on multi-day trips. When it looks like rain, the umbrella is handy, and one trekking pole is stowed (if I even had both in the first place... I often go with just one).
IMHO, an umbrella is unbeatable. I only use rain wear when it's so windy that an umbrella just won't work, usually not a problem in the woods, but an issue above timberline or in other open spaces.
Odd Man Out
08-21-2012, 22:18
Anyone try this one? It is a hands-free option.
http://www.antigravitygear.com/swing-hands-free-umbrella-metallic.html
Anyone try this one? It is a hands-free option.
http://www.antigravitygear.com/swing-hands-free-umbrella-metallic.html
Haven't tried it, but it just got put on my christmas list, thanks! I'll report back next spring.
Odd Man Out
08-22-2012, 08:33
Haven't tried it, but it just got put on my christmas list, thanks! I'll report back next spring.
Here is the company web page with more details, if you are interested.
http://www.euroschirm.com/schirm/Swing_handsfree/index.cgi?session=8JNRjnc2BDhqy&sprache_land=usa
Thanks for the link. And BTW, for those who want to try hiking with an umbrella, choose a light/bright color. It will literally and figuratively brighten the under-dome environment. It will also make it easier to see/find the umbrella when packing in the morning, so you don't leave it behind.
DaFireMedic
08-27-2012, 16:31
Raines Skinni Mini. Mine is 5.3 oz, cost under $10.
dornstar
08-27-2012, 16:49
Montbell. Strapped to my pack with a tiny bungee cord.
I have always struggled with heat issues, so this is what I do as well to block out the sun.
I use a Golite Chrome Dome and it works great. It is a very tough umberella and provides good coverage. I hike with poles so i rig it hands free under my sternum strap and around my head via a bandanna.
Another Kevin
10-28-2012, 22:47
I use a Golite Chrome Dome and it works great. It is a very tough umberella and provides good coverage. I hike with poles so i rig it hands free under my sternum strap and around my head via a bandanna.
Pictures or it didn't happen!
Something like this, but with a bandana in place of the hat... I've got no pictures of my silly setup :0
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_BYql1qzQVXQ/S_LzCNG6U1I/AAAAAAAAAKs/x6nKzik8dHE/s1600/P1050293.JPG
That's a pretty good idea. I wish I had thought of it. I almost always have the umbrella shaft leaning against my head already, so that may be the perfect hands-free solution for me.
Odd Man Out
10-29-2012, 10:29
there is this one too
http://www.euroschirm.com/schirm/Swing_handsfree/info.cgi?session=RWPQat49hnA6H&sprache_land=usa
Spirit Bear
10-29-2012, 10:39
What about this?
http://s7.orientaltrading.com/is/image/OrientalTrading/5_580a?$VIEWER_IMAGE$
What about this?
http://s7.orientaltrading.com/is/image/OrientalTrading/5_580a?$VIEWER_IMAGE$
it'd work if it was a bit bigger - mine's wide enough to provide cover to the shoulders and pack
Wise Old Owl
10-29-2012, 16:30
none of this works in 30 mph winds... (Hurricane Kathy is picking up....)