Umbrella on the PCT

I have heard of people doing this with success. All about personal preference I guess?

I didn't see many umbrella's post SoCal in 2014. Umbrella's are great for shade in SoCal, especially during breaks but the importance of shade diminishes after California.

I found an umbrella on the CDT — while I sullenly trudged along in the rain — and don't think I'll go back to a jacket or a poncho. I had actually tried an umbrella years ago and didn't see what the fuss was about but it was like night-and-day on the CDT. That first time was in New Hampshire, a long weekend, light drizzle and downhill.

It's not a perfect solution: for the sake of argument assume an umbrella and rain jacket each way 7.5 oz — the rain jacket you get to use each night as you sleep and for the first hour of hiking in the morning while the umbrella is often deadweight; it's just that when it does rain, the umbrella is a *million* times better in everything but really strong wind. It's a bit like a tiny cuben tarp — it's great to carry but kind of stinks to use in the rain, which, of course, is the reason you're carrying it in the first place.

As the PCT is usually pretty dry (first 80% anyway), the argument for a rain jacket is strengthened — so you suffer a bit when it does rain but otherwise you're not carrying a bunch of gear that you're not using. Another way to look at it is this: carry an extra 5oz (an umbrella and windshirt equals ~10oz, where as driducks jacket is ~5oz) for gear that you like and that works well.

I have scrutinized and spent $ to get my pack weight down ounces. Of course, once on trail for a few weeks, the base-weight portion of my pack weight is a joke — I tend to eat around 5500 calories a day at my peak so what weighs me down is food! Also, like any other hiker out there, I get really strong. 5oz is two Clif bars. Not that weight isn't an important factor, but the longer I backpack the more I come to appreciate simplicity and 'fluidity.' So, for example, prior to leaving on the CDT, I was focused on the wight of my windshirt because I was sure I'd appreciate a light windshirt; but once out there I'd have gladly traded 2 – 3oz for a full zip so I could dump heat on uphills — I just wanted something that would work so that I could focus on what was around me and move easily. For me, this all favors umbrellas — not for every trip or circumstance but it helps rationalize carrying more weight and carrying items I'm not using on a daily basis. YMMseriouslyV.

Great explanation/rational Brian. Most of my umbrella experience has been in SoCal on the PCT and other trails and primarily for heat. I've never regretted carrying it but I have regretted not carrying it on more than one occasion. Once I figured out a method for attaching to my pack and making it hands free I began carrying it more often.
I can't offer insight to your question Kelly but when I get to section hiking further north on the PCT I expect my umbrella to be with me.

In addition to Brian's thoughtful comments,

I wear glasses. Not contacts. An umbrella works much better to keep my glasses dry (and the better ventilation lets them dry) than a rain jacket hood.

Sometimes, what you really want is a spot of shade (e.g. afternoon nap in the heat of the day in LowCal, and then hike later into the night) or small area of rain protection (getting into your pack during a thunderstorm) and an umbrella is effective and super quick to deploy in either case. So much so, that I use it more often (sun protection on the back your neck while pumping water).

Tied down, so as not to hit the burner, an umbrella makes a great wind-break for your stove.

And on balancing / justifying / rationalizing the extra ounces? I feel 10-15F cooler under a Chrome Dome than out in the sun with a hat on. If I sweat less, I can carry less water. That can be a big savings (or safety margin, take your pick).

And cost? Even the co-pay on Moh's surgery to excise a skin cancer far exceeds any gear purchase I've made. And after 8 such surgeries, I'm getting a little tired of it.