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Today we are going to talk about a very important piece of equipment for those who walk around the city: the umbrella. The variations in size, styles and materials are extensive, but it is possible to find one that is just right for you, at a price you are willing to pay.
We've moved on from the days where there was only one choice of umbrella colour. Also, sizes (especially with them closed) can be compact and take up almost no space among the items we carry in our day to day lives.
We intend to help you choose that model that is your face, and that won't let you down when Saint Peter decides to irrigate our cities with that sudden rain.
Contents
Summary
- The umbrella is an indispensable item for those who move around the cities without using cars. Having one always at hand is important to avoid being caught by surprise by bad weather and arrive at work, for example, completely soaked.
- Knowing how much you can carry along with your daily items, such as bags, backpacks, work equipment, is relevant for the choice of the model. For those who already carry too much in their daily lives, the best are compact models that take up little space.
- The prices of this item are varied, and can start from that super cheap price in peddlers (but with a very low quality) and exceed £ 1.000, if we consider the designer products signed by world-famous designers.
The Best Umbrella: Our Picks
Buying Guide
There are umbrellas to suit all styles, requirements and pockets. This accessory can tell a lot about the personality of its wearer. In this guide, we have put together all the information you need to know so that you can buy the one that suits you best.
Keep reading this article so you don't make a mistake when buying your faithful squire, on rainy or sunny days.
The umbrella is an accessory that can compose a look and show more about the personality of the user. (Source: StockSnap / Pixabay)
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the umbrella?
In everyday life, we can lose anything, such as keys, documents, mobile phones, but all these items are used all the time, so it is easy to notice that they are missing. The umbrella is an item that is only remembered when the rain comes and you are on the street.
Keeping you from getting wet in the rain, or from getting too much sun is the reason for the product's life. In addition, an umbrella can be a stylish item, giving a more elegant look, or even demonstrate your state of mind, with the printed and very colourful covers.
For those who walk all the time on the street, take buses, underground, do day activities, like going to the market, walking, the disadvantage of some models is having to carry the poor umbrella. In other words, one of your hands will be busy holding your umbrella.
Besides, as most of them have metallic materials, bank doors or airport queues can take up more time in your day than usual, as they need to be checked by security guards.
Materials, prints, sizes and models
Some are more basic and go for solid colours. But there are those who like colours, styles, designs or any aspect that differentiates their umbrella from the crowds of people taking shelter on a rainy day.
In addition, there is still the choice of size and model. There are those who prefer a practical item for everyday use. That is, compact, discreet, with the goal, basically, not to get wet from the waist up.
For these, the compact models, which measure up to 37cm when closed and cover an area up to 1 metre in diameter, are ideal.
On the other hand, there are people who do not want to get wet at all, and for this reason do not care if the umbrella is the size of a rifle when closed. The advantage of this person appears when opening the umbrella.
With a large area of coverage, some reach up to 1.50 m in diameter and have a more closed cover, preventing that wind from bringing more water than expected.
These larger models are popular with ceremonials, to welcome guests at events, for example. The large span ensures coverage for that special guest who has just arrived and, with him, brought a heavier rain.
Inverted umbrella: an interesting solution
In addition, when closed, the wet part of the umbrella is not exposed, which makes it easier to enter environments without getting yourself or other people wet. To dry it, just leave it on the ground with the handle upwards, which takes up less space than the traditional umbrella, which is usually left open so that it does not smell of wet fabric.
How much does it cost?
The price, however, can exceed £1.000, depending on the material, the use and, mainly, who signs that brand.
Purchase criteria: what to compare when choosing your umbrella
To choose a good umbrella that meets your expectations of use, you need to analyse a few factors, from your taste to the cost-benefit ratio.
- Size
- Material
- Durability
- Practicality
Below, we will talk about each of them so you can make the best choice.
Size
Since you'll be carrying it mostly unopened, size matters in many situations. Smaller ones are easier to carry in crowded environments, like buses, subways and shopping malls, for example.
Besides, they can be kept in smaller places, such as drawers. But most of them, when open, do not offer a large area of shelter either.
But if you don't mind carrying something over 1m in size because you don't go to that many busy places, or simply because you can leave it in the car, a larger model is a great choice.
Despite the volume that they occupy closed, when open, the larger models ensure an area of shelter that can reach 1.50m. With all this protection, you can even take a ride with you on rainy days.
Depending on the size of your umbrella, you can even shelter other people or cute little creatures like this one:
Material
Most umbrellas today are made from polyester (cover) and metal alloys (shafts and tips). These are more popular and have good durability and performance. They shelter you from the rain, are light enough to not bother you when carrying them.
However, there is a growing number of products that use aluminium and even fibreglass in the shafts and tips, ensuring lightness and resistance to the product. However, they make the final price more expensive.
The cover also has a variety of materials. The most sought after today are those made of a material that dries quickly. After all, nobody wants an office or a house with the smell of wet clothes.
The trend follows the line of materials that do not absorb water. This way, the rain drops just run off the material, which makes it dry faster than fabrics.
Durability
Nobody wants to buy a product that lasts less than a bar of soap. And umbrellas also need to withstand the effects of time. Because it's something that will be wet constantly, choosing ones that won't rust parts or that the cover won't wear off easily is important.
All manufacturers ensure the durability of their products, but it is up to you to understand that they are sellers, and will always speak well of their products. So it is worth choosing those that offer a guarantee.
The length of the warranty is a small sample of how long that product can last.
Practicality
Open, all models are very practical. But think about how clumsy they can be in everyday situations, like getting into a car, opening a door while carrying something in your hands and even fiddling with your mobile phone.
Most of them follow the same way of opening and closing, which can be a problem when getting into a car, or closing before walking through a busy door, like the one in a shopping mall.
In these conventional ones, the part wetted by rain will always be exposed, which can get you, your car and the other passengers on the bus wet. In other words, it's a bit uncomfortable.
Observing these scenarios, companies are already developing the inverted umbrella. Its great attraction is the way it closes in a practical way in the situations described above.
The inverted umbrella has the advantage of always closing with the wet part inside. Thus, you will not get wet people circulating near you indoors.
(Source of the highlighted image: Pexels / Pixabay)
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