convince me: collapsible vs non-collapsible trekking umbrella

wouldn't a light weight broad brimmed hat be sufficient ?
much simpler and lower tech.
plus, keeping hands free allows more time to play with the smart phone.

"keeping hands free allows more time to play with the smart phone."

ROTFLMAO

Brilliant.

I like my Chrome Dome and trust its non-collapsible handle more than the cheap collapsible (and typically heavier than 8 ounces) versions. HOWEVER, it is a bit of a pain when I fly with it – I have a shipping tube because while I find it sturdy enough for all my uses, I don't trust the baggage handlers to be gentle (with anything).

Versus a hat? I use a lot of large, effective sun hats (having skin cancers carved off is good motivation), but I find an umbrella lets me hike noticeably cooler than a sun hat. Like 10-15F cooler at 8,000 feet in the Sierra. And it doubles as rain protection. In non-windy rain, I much prefer the expansive views from under an umbrella than the claustrophobic tunnel vision from my parka hood. And it triples as good shade during a rest break (perch it in the tree branches) to give a bigger spot of solid shade.

If I was going overseas and had that many more stops, transfers, and bag-checks, that might push towards a collapsible.

While the collapsible one is easy to pack, the non-collapsible one will probably see more use at rest stops, just because it is so much easier to take out and open. My Montbell takes a bit to open from it's smallest size. Not that much more time, but enough that I might think twice at a short stop.

The non-collapsible can be used as a support under a tarp, if one of your hiking poles is doing camera duty in the evening.

Steve

Why would you want it collapsible when you're going to want it on the outside of your pack and readily available? I believe the collapsible ones are more weight, more moving parts to break and I believe are also made with metal…making you a lightening rod in a storm. The chrome dome or whatever the actual makers name is, is made of fiberglass, plastic and foam. I got mine down to 7.9oz with the original cord and barrel lock (on the end of the handle) cut off and a piece of shock cord and mini barrel lock added for pack attachment. Just that piece of shock cord and a mini c-biner up by the load lifter attachment point and I'm hands-free and on my way.

HTH

KJ

I have a GoLite trekking umbrella, but haven't used it due to weight and I like having my hands free.
This garment, however, coupled with a good hat is a great alternative. The fabric contains xylitol which is supposed to actually cool you, even in direct sun – in my experience that seems to be true.

http://www.exofficio.com/products/details/mens-sol-cool-ultimate-hoody

The umbrella keeps the sun off me and my baby, who rides on my back. I carry him in a wrap instead of a big framed carrier because it's lighter and more ergonomic. The framed carriers usually have a built in sunshade, but wrap plus umbrella is still waaay lighter than an Osprey/Deuter type kid carrier. Not to mention more convenient–I don't have to stop and take off the carrier whenever I want to modify sun coverage.

We are both fair-skinned and are often wearing hats in *addition* to the umbrella.

Hands-free is not an issue. I have no smartphone. :-)

If I were carrying a full-size pack, I wouldn't hesitate to get the non-collapsible. My hesitation, I now realize, stems from the fact that I am typically carrying everything in a 7-litre lumbar pack, plus another small shoulder-satchel roughly half that size. (Again, my limited carrying capacity is due to the one year old riding on my back.)

With the long umbrella I'm currently using, I basically always have it in my hand, and a trekking pole in the other. It's not that annoying, probably no more so than fiddling with a telescoping handle.

Hat vs umbrella? Why, you can have both!!

I have a Totes brand collapsible umbrella that I've used for decades – both for everyday use and hiking. It's been turned inside out by wind many times, but the telescoping shaft isn't wobbly at all. It's a simple "M" shaped folder about 15" long with a thin corrugated metal tube shaft. The nylon is still waterproof, and no stiching has ripped. It weighs about 12 oz.

If you want to go day hiking with a day pack from camp, then you will appreciate the collapsable aspect of the umbrella.

"If you want to go day hiking with a day pack from camp, then you will appreciate the collapsable aspect of the umbrella."

My thought exactly. I feel like the umbrella will see more use–on the trail and in "real life" if it is collapsible. I think I can live with the extra ounces. Now, to teach the baby how to hold the umbrella for me…

I use the Golite Chromedome as the rear pole for my shelter (YMG Cirriform). Not sure if a collapsible umbrella would lend itself to that…

I have been taking my new Birdiepal Light Trek everywhere for the past couple of weeks. A good way to look like a crazy person is to carry a silver umbrella around while you walk the dog with a baby strapped to your back.

The umbrella weighs 9.9 oz (sans carrying case), is easy to open and close, and it fits really nicely on the outside of my Montbell lumbar pack (which also get used pretty much every day.

Seeing as my kid has become an expert at removing every sun hat I try to put on his head, the umbrella is now a necessity for outdoor time. Life in the desert. I'll try to remember to update this once I take the Birdiepal on some multi-day trips.