Umbrellas

[Sanman]

Need help with an Umbrella upgrade

Pretty excited. Locked into The Francés (again) walking to Ponferrada and then connecting to the Invierno to SDC starting early April - so weather will be unpredictable.

I found a clip on (to the backback/hands free) great for rain and sun BUT... the one i have used has broken twice. It was a Euroschirm (German) telescopic

It was expensive (over $100)...very disappointing and frustrating as it broke during a brutal rainstorm walking the St Guilhem Way

Any advice for a tried and true light weight hands free (clips to the backpack) greatly appreciated. Lots of choice online but I would like something field tested by a member!

Thx

Sandy
Less Talking - More Walking - my slogan for 2025

 

[SYates]

@t2andreo Can you help?
BC SY

 

[Tincatinker]

Sandy, the umbrella I bought for €8 in a “China” store in Pamplona in 2012 is still going strong. It’s hand held, not hands free but that has meant that when the weather and wind has got brutal down the years I’ve just furled my friend and sucked up the consequences.

Lightweight will deal with light weather. There’s an implication in the description. Smiths https://www.james-smith.co.uk/ will build you an umbrella to meet your requirements, except that they do decline the hands free concept. Robust enough for a winter hike in Europe, or a Monsoon season further East & South. But just like a motorcycle or an horse there’s an expectation that you’ll be in charge.

Sorry I can’t help with your question

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I carry an inexpensive very lightweight umbrella and hold it propped up against my shoulder/backpack. I only use one hiking pole it's no problem for me. If you already had a $100 Euroshirm umbrella "bite the dust", I doubt there is an umbrella made that will last forever in gale force winds, especially if you have it attached and can not angle it against various wind directions and velocity. If there were such an umbrella, I doubt you would choose to bring it due to its weight.