Umbrellas

I use a Montbell[5.3 oz] umbrella for the Sierra afternoon thunderstorms. It allows me to bring a UL Golite Wisp jacket [3.5oz] A good combination! Always check your 7-day forecast.

I am presently in Oregon. I just started using an umbrella and have found that my Birdiepal Swing Liteflex is amazing for long periods of continuous rain. In fact I used it last week in the Drift Creek Wilderness in the Oregon Coast Range (110+ inches of rain a year) and it was the best day of hiking in the rain I have ever had. 100% humidity (Duh!) so rain jackets, ponchos, etc just get wet on the inside from respiration and perspiration. With the umbrella I could climb the hills with a baselayer shirt and rain pants. What a difference. No rain running down the back of my neck or off the brim of my hat, plenty of air circulation, I kind of enjoyed the rain. Mine has a metallic reflective coating on top, so I plan on trying it out in the heat when I get back to Texas. It does weigh 224g, but it was worth it.

Happy Trails,
-Mark

Birdiepal Swing Liteflex Link

P.S. Ben–Nice!

Mark,

How do you attach the umbrella to your pack? Or, do you hold it?

Thanks, Todd

Thanks Jay,Windshirt/umbrella is the combo I was thinking. Do you use a pack liner or pack cover?

Oregon! Mark I'll trust your opinion on the rain then, as for shelter from the all powerful Texas sun, great idea. Thank you for the link, I never heard of Birdepal and it looks like the over the top primo kind of gear I dig. Why get an umbrella when you can get a super umbrella? But the burning question is, do ya'll hold the umbrella or rig it to the pack?
We know what you do Ben, thanks that picture made my day.

Thanks,
Rick

I use a pack liner. It's a trash compacter bag about 2oz.

According to a thread on this last year some time: The biggest umbrella trade-off is whether you are willing to not use trekking poles when your umbrella is in use. Many people found rigging the umbrella to their pack was complicated, unstable, and didn't work well if there was trees or wind.

In last year's thread, most people held the umbrella. A few rigged it to thier pack. One stuck a cut-down handle from a collapsible style umbrella into the top of his trekking pole.

I use a full-size / non-collapsible umbrella in VA on the AT and SNP trails. It works great. The tree cover reduces side-ways blowing rain and turned inside-out umbrellas. The umbrella is very nice in our humid weather. The full handle means I can just lean it on my shoulder and not have to hold it up for hours during our long rain showers. Leaning it against my shoulder also GREATLY reduces the amount of effort and attention I have to provide when the wind is gusty, or swirling. Finally, hand-held is nice since the AT and SNP trails are often overgrown and you need to manuever through overhanging brush, etc.

If you're not sure you'd like it, get a cheaper fiberglass handled, single canopy (non wind-proof), non-automatic (no-springs) golf umbrella from Walmart and go on a day hike in the rain. You'll know if it's for you within a couple of hours.

Sound advice, thank you. I'm going to be in SNP mon-wed this week. I'll bring a wal-mart el cheapo umbrella and see if I dig it. If not, merry xmas mother-in-law! Of course since I'm testing rain gear get ready for the great drought of 08-09.

Todd,

I haven't fixed it to my pack, I just carry it in one hand and use only one trekking pole. I know, not perfect but workable. When the rain lets up I switch to both poles and stash the umbrella. If you search the forums on BPL for umbrellas you can find a couple of longer threads on this subject which discuss that.

Rick,

I agree, great Idea to try a cheapo first. Also, I'm really not pushing any particular brand. If you end up buying a better umbrella you should also look at GoLite and Montbell and there are probably others. You may find that the WalMart special is all you need.

Happy Trails,

-Mark

Not sure what you consider rain in other areas… but here on the East Coast of Canada… an umbrella wouldn't last more than a few seconds :)

Right on David, but what do you guys use for umbrellas up there? Seal skin stapled to a hockey stick? Old Neil Young records on vinyl? Flannel?:)

David,

You may be surprised by these umbrellas. Check out this video:

Birdiepal Umbrella Test

Happy Trails,

-Mark

Convincing video to say the least!!

Wow! I wonder how that umbrella would hold up in a bear attack. I think that's the only thing they left out of the video.