8 Best Travel Umbrellas in 2024
Whether you’re commuting to work, walking to the shops, or traveling to far of places, one thing you can be sure of is that, at some point, you will encounter a bit of rain. Without any waterproof gear at hand you’re faced with two options, dash to the closest convenient shelter and stubbornly wait out the bad weather, or soldier on through the downpour till you’re soaked to the bone but at your destination. You might agree that neither options are ideal which is why lightweight travel umbrella should be very high on your kit list.
A compact travel umbrella is far more practical than lugging full waterproofs around on a backpacking trip and certainly score better than plastic rain ponchos on the style side of things. Umbrellas are practical for both hot and cold climates and pack up so small you won’t need to think twice about slipping into your handbag or carry-on.
8 Best Travel Umbrellas to keep you dry in 2024
There are plenty of excellent travel sized umbrellas on the market which are strong, durable, quick-drying, and some even have a subtle and stylish design. Our list tries to cover them all.
1. Rain-Mate
With a solid frame made from nine reinforced fiberglass ribs, the Rain Mate Compact Travel Umbrella is certainly one of the most windproof travel umbrellas on the market.
- Durable fiberglass frame
- Strong windproof design
- Available in multiple colors
- Lifetime Guarantee
- Shaft handle can be slightly tedious to use
2. Repel
The Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella another top contender. It features a resin-reinforced fiberglass frame which allows just enough flex to prevent the ribs from snapping in strong winds but is strong enough to stay the right way around even on blustery days in the Scottish Highlands.
- Teflon Coating
- Very compact and lightweight
- Automatic open/close
- Lifetime Guarantee
- Slightly pricier than competitors
- A tendency for the hinges to rust over time.
3. EEZ-Y
The EEZ-Y Compact Travel Umbrella takes its windproof design one step further by adding a vented double canopy which allows wind to pass through without adding unnecessary pressure to the shaft or flipping the umbrella.
- Durable and sturdy
- Folds up very small
- 210T coated fabric
- Lifetime Guarantee
- Small handle
- Not 100% windproof
4. Kolumbo
The Kulumbo Unbreakable Travel Umbrella’s simple design which is available in a range of understated colors making it perfect for business travel as well as leisure.
- Can resist very high winds
- Elegant design
- Great customer service
- Smaller canopy size
- 55 mph wind claims are not very accurate
5. totes
This may not be the most compact nor the lightest item on our list, however, what the Totes Wooden Stick Umbrella lacks in portability it makes up for in style. This is a classic ‘Mary Poppins’ umbrella which is best for commuting to and from the office on a rainy day.
- Classic Design
- Automatic button opening
- Doubles as a sun guard
- Lifetime Guarantee
- The wooden handle is a bit flimsy
6. Pro Travel Gear
Pro Travel Gear’s compact umbrella is our top pick for a budget travel umbrella. The design is not as elegant as some of the other items on our list with the brand name printed boldly on the canopy, but its certainly on par with its market competitors in terms of rain protection and portability.
- Large and comfortable rubber handle
- Highly waterproof and windproof
- Low price tag
- Lifetime Guarantee
- Pretty heavy relative to others on our list
7. Vumos
The Vumos Umbrella is our favorite for backpackers and travelers who love the outdoors because of its portability. Firstly, at only 12 ounces this is one of the lightest travel umbrellas on the market.
- Comfortable handle
- Strong fiberglass frame
- Wide canopy size
- Waterproof case for storage
- Lifetime Guarantee
- Actual color is duller than it appears in photos
8. Tinams
Tinams Windproof Umbrella is one of the most durable travel umbrellas on the market. It uses a 3 section enhances fiberglass frame with 10 fortified ribs connected by hard-wearing stainless-steel springs and joints.
- Teflon coated 210T pongee canopy
- Comes with a waterproof leather cover and a carry sleeve
- Holds up to strong winds
- Lifetime Guarantee
- Its weight has proven to be an issue for some
Criteria we used to pick
There’s more than just colors and patterns to look at when investing in a good quality travel umbrella. By quality, we don’t just mean buying an umbrella that won’t that won’t flip inside out or break in two after a few gusts of wind, we also mean an umbrella which is lightweight, practical, portable, comfortable to hold, durable, and of course, waterproof. The following are the most important features we look for when choosing a good quality travel umbrella.
Waterproof and Windproof
Of course, even the most basic umbrellas should have a reasonable level of waterproofing, but some fabrics are far more resistant than others and when you get caught out in a heavy shower you’ll really notice the difference. The best umbrellas are generally made from lightweight nylon or polyester which are highly water resistant. Although the highest quality umbrellas make use of pongee fabric which deflects water rather than absorbing it. We also look for umbrellas, like the EEZ-Y Compact Travel Umbrella, which have a quick-drying 210T Teflon coating.
Aside from the waterproofing materials, we look at the canopy size. Most travel umbrellas will feature a canopy between 38 and 42 inches. Those with a larger surface area, like the Totes Open Wooden Stick Umbrella, will provide more protection from the winds and rain, however, if the umbrella doesn’t have a strong frame, it will be more prone to flipping. Conversely, umbrellas with a canopy smaller than 38 inches are less likely to turn inside out but they probably won’t keep your lower body dry, which is why umbrella hats, although fun, have never really taken off.
Durable Materials
We expect a good travel umbrella to be usable for a number of years rather than months without showing major signs of wear or damage. Therefore, we look for umbrellas which use hard wearing materials such as stainless steel, and reinforced fiberglass. The cheaper umbrellas that you can find for a few dollars at the supermarket tend to use a 6 to 8 aluminum rib frame which is prone to rust and unlikely to withstand strong winds or the rigors of travel.
Q: What Does the Lifetime Guarantee Include?
A: The lifetime guarantee for the items on our list can vary slightly as they are all from different manufacturers. Generally speaking, however, a lifetime guarantee will cover damages and breakages which are caused by a manufacturing fault. For example, if the automatic open/close system becomes jammed or if the umbrella does not live up to its windproof claims. In these cases, you will probably be provided with a replacement (rather than a repaired) product. The specifics of this, however, is always up to the manufacturer.
The majority of items on our list are manufactured with 9 to 10 ribs which are reinforced with fail-safe fiberglass struts and hinges which means that the frame will hold its shape and snap back into place without breaking if caught in a heavy gust. Most of the items in our top 8 also feature stainless steel shafts and, while this can make the umbrellas a little heavier, it also makes them less prone to rust or breakage.
Q: What are the advantages of Pongee Fabric?
A: Due to its very fine thread and overall density Pongee is highly resistant to breaks and abrasions, it is also highly water-resistant and generally more durable than polyester or nylon. It also holds its color far better than polyester or nylon and doesn’t fade in in sunlight. The biggest advantage of an umbrella made from pongee fabric is that it dries very quickly and is resistant to mold and mildew so you’ll be able to put it away soon after use without worrying about damage or bad odors.
Size, Weight, and Portability
Any Londoner will tell you that its worth having an umbrella handy in all four season, so to avoid weighing yourself down, it’s important that your new travel umbrella is portable. We like travel umbrellas which fold up small enough that you can slip them into your bag and forget that they’re there. Similarly, we look for umbrellas which are lightweight so that you don’t have to pump weights in order to hold them up.
Q: Is it large enough to keep to two people dry?
A: The items on our list are for single use however those with a larger canopy, such as the Totes Wooden Stick Umbrella which is 48-inches wide, can comfortably cover two people.
We’ve found that most good travel umbrellas weigh between 1 pound and half a pound and will easily fit inside a handbag or car door. Ideally, the umbrella can also be attached to the outside of your backpack for quick access when the rain starts or for letting it air dry.
The items on our list all weigh below 1 pound and collapse to around 12 inches in length making them very convenient to carry around. We’ve also picked out a couple, like the Vumos and Tinams travel umbrellas, which come with waterproof cases for drip-free storage.
Useful Features
All of the travel umbrellas on our list have automatic open/close mechanisms. This feature allows you to open and close the umbrella at the touch of a button so you’ll always have one hand free to hold your coffee. It may seem like scary new technology to some and unnecessary to others, but we’ve found it to be very beneficial, particularly when you’re heading to the office with an arm full of papers or approaching the airport with luggage in hand.
Price
We all know that you can pick up a budget umbrella at the local supermarket for a few dollars and while you might be smiling when you save a few bucks, you probably won’t be so pleased when your new umbrella turns itself inside out in a gentle breeze. The bottom line is that it’s worth paying a bit more for a higher quality product. These umbrella tent to cost between $10 and $25 and products at the upper end of the price scale generally come from well-established companies which carry out rigorous testing on their products.