- Joined
- Feb 7, 2007
- Messages
- 2,787
Birdiepal outdoor umbrella
marketed as the strongest trekking umbrella of the world
13.1 oz
26.4"
40.9" canopy diameter
Sick of having my cheap umbrellas falling apart in any wind/rain that's above your average simple rain, i started to look for a stronger one, that could hold a bit more than that
I choose this one from a few like the self defense orientated Unbreakable Umbrella, the strong looking Blunt umbrella, and weird shaped Senz, mostly because of the price and availability, and because i liked its features best. Built for the outdoors ..it sure catch my gear eye..
At around 50 bucks, it ain't too expensive, but not too cheap either.
So..
What it has :
When i received it, i said , holy ...., this is a big one.
It has a thick fiberglass shaft and rims, the rims tips are rounded (for eye protection i guess), polyamid fabric canopy, double-stitched between segments, EVA hardfoam handle, (looks and feels like some hard pressed foam, rubber like,) integrated compass (mine doesn't work very smooth, so is not reliable, but it would be nice to be, oh well, haven't bought it for that anyway),
Has adjustable straps both on handle and top, a bit short, but they work, the top one would work for hanging the umbrella closed or open, but the straps are pressed in the handle/top, and even if possible, quite hard to replace.
The thing is supposed to hold 165 lbs, so it should be plenty strong, rims are elastic and seem to be very strong also.
Construction, almost all fiberglass, except some metal pins/springs that lock the mechanism, both open and closed.
Is very easy to open/close the umbrella, even with gloves, with the big round plastic button, and huge mechanism that glides along the sidecut thick shaft, thus making it impossible to twist.
Comes with a carrying case with net on middle, for drying when closed and packed inside, and has an adjustable strap for back carry.
The kid in the video bellow puts the umbrella to some tests, and it appears to hold just fine, though many of the tests are not what an umbrella would be used for. Nevertheless, it shows the overall strength built in this equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmn7jux2Xn8
The quality is very good, miles better than what i had and seen so far, doesn't look like it can be broken by just any wind or rain,
some cons :
the size, at 26.4" is not gonna fit in just any pack, so it will live either attached to it, or just carried in hand.
the handle strap will easily catch on the velcro from the carying case if not closed.
How well an umbrella fits an outdoor hike, i don't know yet, since i haven't used one that way, and my problems with broken umbrellas have been in a city, or walking home.
Ironically since i bought this umbrella it hasn't rained once here, so i can't really say i covered testing. But ill be back with some thoughts after real use, be it just a park walk, hills hike, or a simple walk home from work.
Anyway, it really doesn't look like it will disappoint, and as soon as clouds will gather, ill be on my way to test this baby.
Cheers all.
some pics
marketed as the strongest trekking umbrella of the world
13.1 oz
26.4"
40.9" canopy diameter
Sick of having my cheap umbrellas falling apart in any wind/rain that's above your average simple rain, i started to look for a stronger one, that could hold a bit more than that
I choose this one from a few like the self defense orientated Unbreakable Umbrella, the strong looking Blunt umbrella, and weird shaped Senz, mostly because of the price and availability, and because i liked its features best. Built for the outdoors ..it sure catch my gear eye..
At around 50 bucks, it ain't too expensive, but not too cheap either.
So..
What it has :
When i received it, i said , holy ...., this is a big one.
It has a thick fiberglass shaft and rims, the rims tips are rounded (for eye protection i guess), polyamid fabric canopy, double-stitched between segments, EVA hardfoam handle, (looks and feels like some hard pressed foam, rubber like,) integrated compass (mine doesn't work very smooth, so is not reliable, but it would be nice to be, oh well, haven't bought it for that anyway),
Has adjustable straps both on handle and top, a bit short, but they work, the top one would work for hanging the umbrella closed or open, but the straps are pressed in the handle/top, and even if possible, quite hard to replace.
The thing is supposed to hold 165 lbs, so it should be plenty strong, rims are elastic and seem to be very strong also.
Construction, almost all fiberglass, except some metal pins/springs that lock the mechanism, both open and closed.
Is very easy to open/close the umbrella, even with gloves, with the big round plastic button, and huge mechanism that glides along the sidecut thick shaft, thus making it impossible to twist.
Comes with a carrying case with net on middle, for drying when closed and packed inside, and has an adjustable strap for back carry.
The kid in the video bellow puts the umbrella to some tests, and it appears to hold just fine, though many of the tests are not what an umbrella would be used for. Nevertheless, it shows the overall strength built in this equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmn7jux2Xn8
The quality is very good, miles better than what i had and seen so far, doesn't look like it can be broken by just any wind or rain,
some cons :
the size, at 26.4" is not gonna fit in just any pack, so it will live either attached to it, or just carried in hand.
the handle strap will easily catch on the velcro from the carying case if not closed.
How well an umbrella fits an outdoor hike, i don't know yet, since i haven't used one that way, and my problems with broken umbrellas have been in a city, or walking home.
Ironically since i bought this umbrella it hasn't rained once here, so i can't really say i covered testing. But ill be back with some thoughts after real use, be it just a park walk, hills hike, or a simple walk home from work.
Anyway, it really doesn't look like it will disappoint, and as soon as clouds will gather, ill be on my way to test this baby.
Cheers all.
some pics
