BaliosTravel Folding Umbrella with Real Wood Handle Auto Open Close Vented Windproof Canopy - Designed in UK

So when it comes to umbrellas, I always thought you had to make a choice: either a big golf umbrella for quality (but a lack of portability, plus it's expensive), or a smaller one for an on-the-go lifestyle (cheap, and cheaply made). So color me pleasantly shocked with this umbrella from Balios.For starters, when I opened the box, I was happy to see that it was a decent weight... you could tell it had a bit of a rugged feel that made me feel this thing, before trying, "felt" well-made. Then I saw the handle. Yes, the style is nice (though style doesn't really make me purchase an umbrella, per se), but the ergonomic grip was fabulous. My hand felt like it belonged there, and that it would be easier to hold should conditions be more blustery than an average rain shower.The first time I pushed the button, it opened effortlessly, and I was really surprised to see a vented canopy, like you'd see in much bigger (and much more expensive) umbrellas. I haven't seen too many like that in this size, and I have to say it was really impressive.But the real clincher for me happened this past Saturday. Sadly, we've had a TON of rain in the area where I live this year, with flooding at near-historic levels. It seems like every other day we're getting rain, and not just the wetness, but lots of wind, as well. We had a ridiculous soaker the other night, with a good 15-20 MPH wind. I don't care how well this thing feels like it's built... it's not going to stand up to the weather.Or so I thought. This umbrella not only kept the top third of my body dry (not a whole lot you can do with blowing rain), but it held its shape and didn't fly up like many I saw that evening. I was absolutely shocked.And it fits two people surprisingly well, though adding a third means that one of you is getting at least half-soaked.I seriously cannot recommend this umbrella enough, and I will absolutely be buying a few more to keep in our cars, as well as by the front door. It really is remarkable.

Feels premium with a solid opening and closing action. Love the feel of the grip and really like the dark olive green color in a sea of black umbrellas.

Somehow, I lived my entire adult life up to very recently without owning an umbrella. That changed when I moved to Bogotá, Colombia. Compared to what you might imagine about Colombia, this mountain city is cold and the only thing tropical is the rain. It rains just about every day, although usually only for an hour or so. The reason for that weather change is the wind coming off the mountains that the city butts up against. My first ever umbrella was hastily purchased in the street and needless to say, it was not the most sturdy piece of equipment. It seemed to have a confused identity, thinking it was some kind of reversable jacket or something. It took every gust of wind as an opportunity to show off its perceived abilities, however its frame was not quite up to these acrobatic feats.As my first umbrella was slowly dying, having flipped inside out more times than a contortionist at Cirque du Soleil, I decided it was time to order a replacement. This, my second ever umbrella has been a much drier experience. It feels solid in hand and the wooden handle looks great. The wood is a stained a little darker than in the pictures, but I don't mind. I'm not sure what kind of three-fingered being the handle was designed for (I guess a British one), I would have preferred a plain round handle, but it's still comfortable enough to hold.I've owned this umbrella for about three months now, I wanted to wait before writing a review. It holds out in both light & heavy rain & whenever I've felt that familiar tug from a gust of wind, it's never flipped inside out. It doesn't have a huge diameter, so any sideways rain might still be a problem & it's probably not a two-person umbrella unless you really want to cuddle. That said, it's very portable & easily fits in my backpack, along with everything else. When holding the umbrella at an angle, I sometimes get a few drips coming through due to the nature of the double canopy, however that definitely beats having it turned inside out.The button to launch the umbrella open is kinda fun, I could maybe distract a potential robber for a couple of seconds, giving me an opportunity to run if I had to. Pulling it back in is no easy task though. I can bicep curl 70 lbs for 4 sets of 10 and this is still a challenge. Definitely don't give this to kids. It's really just the last bit, locking it back in, if you try to grab the small metal part that comes in close to the handle, it can be difficult & your fingers can get pinched, however if you push from each end, it's not actually that hard.Overall, a really good umbrella. I think it's good value for money and should last a long time.