HikeArizona.COM

Where do you buy an umbrella?

azbackpackr wrote:................... It's a pain in the neck to have to carry the thing, have to say. I didn't like that part at all, but I suppose it did save me from a bit of sunstroke. I prefer my two hiking poles. ...............

"I was most dubious about the telescope hands-free trekking umbrella. I imagined the silliness of umbrella hats multiplied. Of course, because I am often wrong, I found myself most surprised by this completely awesome umbrella. To use the telescoping hands-free all you need to do is attach two Velcro loops with the umbrella clip to either shoulder strap of your backpack, swivel to open and then swivel to close the two telescoping parts to get it at the right height and slip the wrist loop through your hip belt to secure. In less than two minutes you are ready to go hands free.

Before I tried the umbrella, I thought that it must bounce annoyingly against your shoulder or bonk you on the head regularly. I was amazed that the telescope hands-free stayed where it was suppose to with no problem and hardly moved as I walked. It was easily adjustable, and I even used it as a with-hands umbrella without problem."

Excerpted from > http://seattlebackpackersmagazine.com/b ... la-review/

Euroschirm seems to have at least two versions of this hands-free umbrella; one a straight umprella and a second, which telescopes.

I'm cheap, since I am rough on gear when the 99 cent store had some of the "purse" umbrellas I got several. I've torn 2 of them up but the other one is going strong. Always in my pack, sometimes just too stinking hot and humid for full on rain gear also.

Personally, I don't see myself hiking with an umbrella...
Top three reasons...
1. No room in my pack (Tracey already says I've got everything but the kitchen sink in my pack)
2. I already have a hiking pole in each hand
3. For most of my hikes if one were attached to my pack it would either be knocked off or shredded in short order.

For hot-weather hiking I wear a boonie hat, loose-fitting high SPF long-sleeve shirt over a wicking short-sleeve shirt and long pants.
If rain is involved I either throw on a thin waterproof top, or more often simply get wet and enjoy it.

@CannondaleKid
I think there's room for it above the knife.
http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=399475
;)

I wouldn't mind having a front-mounted umbrella like that for crossing open ground in the hot summer sun.

I wouldn't mind having an umbrella that just does what it does all on its own.

It's the hands-free experience you never knew you needed -- a Japanese company has developed a drone-powered parasol it says can hover over users, protecting them from the sun.

http://www.france24.com/en/20180606-jap ... -sun-cover

@chumley
If your down does it place an emergency call to the nearest SAR unit or does it just give you the Last Rites?

Wow - an umbrella thread!

I saw some folks using umbrellas for sun protection while hiking to Zebra (slot canyon) in Utah recently.

It looked awkward. I was happy with my Tilley LTM2 "King of Brims" hat and long sleeve shirt.

@joebartels
Seattle!!

KBKB wrote: ↑Jun 07 2018 5:04 pmI saw some folks using umbrellas for sun protection

I think there's a difference between sun protection and shade. An umbrella provides both.
[ photo ]

It can be awkward for sure - I still haven't found an acceptable way to rig mine up hands-free ... but under the right circumstances, that little bubble of shade can be the best thing ever!

I just don't like how shiny the shade umbrellas are. Until they find a way to blend in better, I'll just stick with my old one.

We loved our umbrellas on our Royal Arch Trip... Kept the 100+ temps bearable...

@PLC92084

@PLC92084
They also work to keep the rain and rainbows off you. [ photo ]

@skatchkins
Wow. I really like that photo.

That colorful umbrella is quite a contrast to the whole road warrior vibe.

ALL TOGETHER!!!



Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side
Rainbows are visions
But only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told
And some choose to believe it
I know they're wrong, wait and see
Some day we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing
That keeps us stargazing
And what do we think we might see
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers, and me
All of us under its spell, we know that it's probably magic
Have you been half asleep?
And have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound
That called the young sailors?
The voice might be one in the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

@PLC92084
@joebartels
Hey, I'm in that photo! And I found that umbrella at the beginning of the trip!

They are available in earth tone colors, matches my gear.