Backpacking and Hiking with an Umbrella

The rain i mostly have to deal with is horizontal, so an umbrella doesn't appeal to me.
If i was getting one though, i would look closely at the Senz stormproof line. Check out some of the videos on their site, HERE

The inventor of the StickPic, Rod Java, is developing a retractable sun/rain shade that he is calling the "SierraShade" which attaches to your pack. I saw a prototype at last year's ADZPCTKO and it was pretty neat. He clearly has some issues to work out as to how to attach it to the myriad of pack types,shapes, and sizes but I thought it had some real merit. Probably not workable on the AT because of the amount of vegetation cover but much more useful on the West Coast. The obvious advantage is the "no hands" utility so that you can still use trekking poles, etc.

"I guess you guys have never backpacked in the Southeast or in the mountains of TN/NC or VA. Using an umbrella here would be pointless due to the overhanging rhododendron and brush."

Pretty over generalized—I’ve happily used an umbrella in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. I’m a heavy sweater, so the ventilation aspect is key for me, but I also really appreciate the mini-shelter when taking a quick break or performing any sort of trailside chore.

Previously I only used a hiking staff and had no problems, but I’ve just begun using trekking poles so this will be something I’ll have to work out.

geoff

When I was mountain climbing during the 80's in Poland, I was taking an umbrella with me on the climbs. I remember a couple of times using it in the wall to wait out a rain, and walking on the trails in the rain as well. It worked well, especially in warm summer rains. I still have this umbrella with me, but the likelihood of summer rain in the Sierra is so low I did not use it.

Casey/John: I used a GoLite windshirt that they no longer make: the Wisp.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/2005_golite_wisp_wind_shirt_spotlite_review.html

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=7262&cat=Clothing%20-%20Wind%20%26%20Soft%20Shell&cid=49

I still have a new one that I treasure. :)

"I use both, each depending on the circumstances. I don't 'have' to use either one. I prefer using the trekking poles on steeper ups and downs, not so much otherwise. The umbrella gets used when it's raining or in the middle of a hot sunny day. "

I use trekking poles 99% of the time if there's any elevation gain, as it keeps my hands busy and prevents sausage fingers. I like the overall idea and it'd be additional protection with the tarp, but it seems like it'd be a hassle swapping back and forth, especially with my twist lock poles. Can't knock it till I try it. Not sure it would be worth it in the Sierras in the summer though.

Get 2 pieces of elastic cord, each about 6" long with 2 cord locks and use these to secure the umbrella to the shoulder straps of the pack. Wrap them around the strap and the shaft of the umbrella about 6" apart and cinch it down with the cord lock. I use a compact type umbrella made by Snowpeak. When I am not using it, I collapse it and keep it strapped on. If no rain in the forecast, I can easily loosen the cords and remove it. No hands needed, adjustable, and just as effective as holding it with your hands.

Regarding poles, I guess most people here have already tried a pack under 10 kg and most surely all of us have tried hiking without poles sometime so it's most likely that both conditions met and we already know what it is before deciding to use the poles.

I use umbrellas and usually take one for the long trips but i make a more limited use than what's presented in the article. I actually don't like using the umbrella, I don't like the complexity it adds but I appreciate some of the advantages already commented and I particularly like the psychological benefit of being out of the rain as well as the physical part about having a dry environment for chores like checking a map or taking a picture.

The one thing I don't agree is about the need for a rainproof top. The windshirt+umbrella thing is not enough for me in anything other than mild, windless rain and even then my arms usually get uncomfortably wet (Golite Dome at play). I always take a waterproof top but still the umbrella lets me use a very simple one, even a non-breathable one that's as light as a windshirt and it's a good match to the umbrella.

Cool article, thank you! I think I might give one a shot.

Just a couple little nit-picks:

– "An umbrella helps regulate your temperature because it lets the heat that your body generates while hiking evaporate quickly."

No :) It lets the sweat evaporate quickly. Heat doesn't 'evaporate,' and sweat can be any temperature.

– "I have put thermometers under an umbrella with reflective material alongside one with black material. My tests were not scientific, but I was disappointed with the results. Yes, the reflective umbrella is cooler than the black one, but the difference is small, just a couple of degrees. Perhaps it's just psychological, but it sure feels cooler under a reflective canopy."

I suspect this is precisely because you were using a thermometer, measuring air temperature. The purpose of the reflective canopy is mostly to block IR radiation, which has little effect on air temperature, but will heat up your body quite a lot once it hits you. I think the effect is more than psychological, you just didn't test the right thing :)
Incidentally, this same reflective property also means you will be a lot *warmer* underneath it when camping out in an open area at night.

Curious why you ended up ditching the solar panel. Purely a weight/usefulness consideration, or did it not work as expected?

Sorry, missed the 'may', but I would avoid such rules anyway, even qualified. The weights are largely meaningless, many posters I see here (based on their pics) carry already 10kg, or more, extra on their bodies, for example, which would mean that they are at that limit point with 0k on their backs, just as an example. So such numbers are largely meaningless in any context, length of legs, all kinds of stuff comes into play, it's just an abstraction which really has no value or meaning.

But I was interested to see that there really appears to be a functional difference in rain gear based on the weight, I'd really been wondering about that, apparently there is a point of not only diminishing returns re rain gear, and other gear, but actual failure of functionality (ie, a rain jacket that wets out in real rain), which to me is the precise point where I decide to avoid the ultralight technique and use the light one. (similarly, my tarp will never have a hole that needs covering with an umbrella because I use a tent). I went back to weigh my old and almost unused northface (back when they were still good) goretex climblite raincoat, 22 oz, but I would guess works better than my new 12 oz stuff. Maybe that's why I've resisted selling it even though I never use it.

Yes, it was those old yellow ones, which sadly they have not sold for decades, the new cheap stuff is that really junky vinyl like stuff, which doesn't work nearly as well.

The stuff I used didn't have zippers if I remember right, which I may not, but I think it didn't.

the point however re trekking poles is that you can't use an umbrella if you are using trekking poles efficiently or correctly. I'd definitely give using one pole with an umbrella a shot though in summer especially, if in open terrain, though I'm not sure how the motions of one arm vs the other would work out, I don't care about the weight, 10oz is nothing compared to the extra water you save carrying and drinking if you're in the shade a lot more). And an umbrella does not replace a trekking pole, so it's either extra weight to carry (totally worth it in high heat/sun in my opinion) or something you don't use.

But thanks for the article, it's nice thinking about stuff and tools for the future, sun and extreme heat have been one of the banes of my backpacking life re heat stroke etc.

Bradley Danyluk: Excellent nit-picks. I agree with you.

I didn't debug/test the solar panel enough before going (it was a last second thing). It broke on the first day. Instead of asking my sponsor (Brunton) for a new one, I got rid of the solar panel and the gadget that it was supposed to recharge (a GPS/Smartphone). It shaved off over a pound. My gear list is on my website.

I'd reconsider using a solar panel for a future trip, although there is great benefit to being disconnected and free of electronics.

Francis, agreed re blanket statement, let me restate it: can someone show if trekking poles and an umbrella can be used efficiently together while not breaking trekking pole efficiency.

I'd always thought the umbrella stuck in the pack was the solution, but some posters here said they found that to be useless and a headache.

I find the idea of an umbrella appealing in many circumstances, not all though, and most certainly so in summer. For rain though I think I'd rather just carry good rain gear that works, although some things you have to try before stating anything about it, but I have never had issues with good rain gear wetting out or failing so I suspect that it's what you say, people have just found the point of too light to be useful and passed it. In that situation though I totally see using an umbrella as an option, but personally I'd rather just go with better gear in the first place. That's the Norwegian in me, we like to use gear that works.